Guidebook for Chicago
Food Scene
Great coffee, fresh pastries, wifi, great atmosphere. Love to sip and read here on a Saturday morning.
162 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Colombe Coffee Roasters
5158 N Clark StGreat coffee, fresh pastries, wifi, great atmosphere. Love to sip and read here on a Saturday morning.
Off-shoot of Girl and the Goat, offering the same type of Asian-inspired, eclectic delicacies. Looks like a 50s diner and even has killer shakes :) Good for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night. And don't miss the bakery around the corner.
159 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Little Goat Diner
3325 W Randolph StOff-shoot of Girl and the Goat, offering the same type of Asian-inspired, eclectic delicacies. Looks like a 50s diner and even has killer shakes :) Good for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night. And don't miss the bakery around the corner.
Great Asian fusion fare, hip ambiance, good drinks. Best ramen. Period.
36 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Urbanbelly
1542 N Damen AveGreat Asian fusion fare, hip ambiance, good drinks. Best ramen. Period.
If you can stand the chatter and are either 30-something or comfortable with a younger crowd, the food here is amazing. Fair wine selection. Gets pretty busy on weekends, so reservations suggested.
47 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bar Siena
832 W Randolph StIf you can stand the chatter and are either 30-something or comfortable with a younger crowd, the food here is amazing. Fair wine selection. Gets pretty busy on weekends, so reservations suggested.
House-made pasta hosts creative Italian combinations in sleek decor. What else can I say? This place is not-your-ordinary-Italian.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio
1020 W Madison StHouse-made pasta hosts creative Italian combinations in sleek decor. What else can I say? This place is not-your-ordinary-Italian.
Frank Sinatra may be crooning when you walk in to this old-school diner...exactly the setting to enjoy hearty drinks, a formidable wine list, and excellent pasta dishes. The lemon ricotta pancakes on the Sunday brunch menu though...
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Formento's
925 W Randolph StFrank Sinatra may be crooning when you walk in to this old-school diner...exactly the setting to enjoy hearty drinks, a formidable wine list, and excellent pasta dishes. The lemon ricotta pancakes on the Sunday brunch menu though...
BBQ in an indoor picnic-like setting. Hefty draft selection and a few crafts. Always busy, so get there early.
107 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Green Street Smoked Meats
112 N Green StBBQ in an indoor picnic-like setting. Hefty draft selection and a few crafts. Always busy, so get there early.
Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee AveClosest Starbucks (I think)
Sightseeing
Huge warehouse style store with vignette-type eateries. There's a deli, a coffee bar, a butcher, an entire section for olive oil...you can easily spend an afternoon here. If you've never been to one, don't miss your chance.
140 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eataly Chicago
43 E Ohio StHuge warehouse style store with vignette-type eateries. There's a deli, a coffee bar, a butcher, an entire section for olive oil...you can easily spend an afternoon here. If you've never been to one, don't miss your chance.
Shopping
Closest grocery store; good for your basics, not much flair.
200 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pete's Fresh Market
2333 W Madison StClosest grocery store; good for your basics, not much flair.
I love Mariano's. This one is definitely one of the nicer ones. Has a sushi bar, raw bar, wine bar and a hot food station,as well as all the usual stuff. Good selection of gluten-free and organic items, cheaper than Whole Foods.
866 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mariano's
2021 W Chicago AveI love Mariano's. This one is definitely one of the nicer ones. Has a sushi bar, raw bar, wine bar and a hot food station,as well as all the usual stuff. Good selection of gluten-free and organic items, cheaper than Whole Foods.
Whole Foods Market
3640 N Halsted StRelatively new (late-2015).