Guidebook for Chicago
Essentials
CVS
771 N Ogden AveMariano's
2021 W Chicago AveOne of several nearby grocery stores
Local wine and beer shop - let the staff know what you are looking for and they will bring you a cold version from out back.
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The Noble Grape
802 N Bishop StLocal wine and beer shop - let the staff know what you are looking for and they will bring you a cold version from out back.
Parks & Nature
Just a block north from my condo! Here you will find a brand new playground for the kids, basketball courts, baseball field, and indoor swimming pool - also a great place for a run!
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Eckhart Park
1330 W Chicago AveJust a block north from my condo! Here you will find a brand new playground for the kids, basketball courts, baseball field, and indoor swimming pool - also a great place for a run!
Food Scene
One of my favorite local places for dinner or brunch (try their daily bolognese and meatballs)
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Charlatan
1329 West Chicago AvenueOne of my favorite local places for dinner or brunch (try their daily bolognese and meatballs)
Just steps from the Blue Line stop - take a coffee with you for the trip downtown.
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Big Shoulders Coffee
1105 W Chicago AveJust steps from the Blue Line stop - take a coffee with you for the trip downtown.
Perfect spot for breakfast - get there early to sit outside
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The Breakfast Club and Grill
1381 W Hubbard StPerfect spot for breakfast - get there early to sit outside
This is my go-to place for sushi delivery - and if you decide to dine in don't forget to BYOB!
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Butterfly Sushi Bar
1139 W Grand AveThis is my go-to place for sushi delivery - and if you decide to dine in don't forget to BYOB!
Frontier is known for its Wild Game dinners that can host up to 20 people - but its great for a small group too. Call in advance and request a seat on the patio
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Frontier
1072 N Milwaukee AveFrontier is known for its Wild Game dinners that can host up to 20 people - but its great for a small group too. Call in advance and request a seat on the patio
Another nearby favorite restaurant with outdoor seating. Actually you sit in the garden on the roof where they grow many of the vegetables used in their dishes. Reservations are recommended. Also, if you are a Bourbon fan, ask them to make you a Western - even if its off-menu...you can thank me afterwards :)
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Homestead On The Roof
1924 W Chicago AveAnother nearby favorite restaurant with outdoor seating. Actually you sit in the garden on the roof where they grow many of the vegetables used in their dishes. Reservations are recommended. Also, if you are a Bourbon fan, ask them to make you a Western - even if its off-menu...you can thank me afterwards :)
One of my favorite local places for pizza - also family friendly.
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Roots Handmade Pizza
1924 W Chicago AveOne of my favorite local places for pizza - also family friendly.
This place has some of the best thin crust in the city and brews their own beer. If you are in town to party - try Piece on Saturday nights for live band karaoke! Great stop during a bar crawl in Wicker Park.
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Piece Brewery
1927 W North AveThis place has some of the best thin crust in the city and brews their own beer. If you are in town to party - try Piece on Saturday nights for live band karaoke! Great stop during a bar crawl in Wicker Park.
For deep dish - tourists go to Giordano's, Gino's, and Uno's - But locals go to Pequods. You won't regret it.
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Pequod's Pizza
2207 North Clybourn AvenueFor deep dish - tourists go to Giordano's, Gino's, and Uno's - But locals go to Pequods. You won't regret it.
One of the most well-respected Italian restaurants in the city - and they serve handmade pastas. It's not uncommon to see limos outside this place but it does not require you to dress up (maybe no flip-flops though).
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Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted StOne of the most well-respected Italian restaurants in the city - and they serve handmade pastas. It's not uncommon to see limos outside this place but it does not require you to dress up (maybe no flip-flops though).
Famous chef, outstanding food, outdoor patio - enough said. Best for breakfast/brunch or lunch.
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Little Goat Diner
3325 W Randolph StFamous chef, outstanding food, outdoor patio - enough said. Best for breakfast/brunch or lunch.
Butcher-turned-restaurant in the hub of the city's meat market district - I recommend going here for brunch.
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The Publican
837 W Fulton MarketButcher-turned-restaurant in the hub of the city's meat market district - I recommend going here for brunch.
One of the best vegetarian restaurants in town - and just down the street! Reservations recommended
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Green Zebra
1460 West Chicago AvenueOne of the best vegetarian restaurants in town - and just down the street! Reservations recommended
Michelin rated - very creative, latin and french fusion. And an easy walk from my place. Reservations recommended
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Mexique
1529 West Chicago AvenueMichelin rated - very creative, latin and french fusion. And an easy walk from my place. Reservations recommended
Momotaro
820 W Lake StFabulous Japanese food with a great vibe
Pizza is excellent and this is one of the hottest spots in West Loop to party. Reservations recommended.
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Parlor Pizza Bar West Loop
108 N Green StPizza is excellent and this is one of the hottest spots in West Loop to party. Reservations recommended.
Touted as one of the best burgers in the country - go at an "off-time" or prepare for a few hour wait.
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Au Cheval
800 W Randolph StTouted as one of the best burgers in the country - go at an "off-time" or prepare for a few hour wait.
If you are hanging out downtown with a big group? Try Quartino - they can handle larger parties and offer pasta and meat dishes "tapas-style". If you are worried about portion size - it is highly unlikely that you would walk away hungry from this place.
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Quartino Ristorante
626 N State StIf you are hanging out downtown with a big group? Try Quartino - they can handle larger parties and offer pasta and meat dishes "tapas-style". If you are worried about portion size - it is highly unlikely that you would walk away hungry from this place.
If you find yourself on Michigan Ave and want to try out a local Chicago restaurant that is not part of a "chain" - Check out Purple Pig. They have a broccoli dish that is life changing....
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The Purple Pig Restaurant
444 Michigan AveIf you find yourself on Michigan Ave and want to try out a local Chicago restaurant that is not part of a "chain" - Check out Purple Pig. They have a broccoli dish that is life changing....
Furious Spoon Wicker Park
Want Ramen? Go here.
Big Star
1531 N Damen AveA taco spot that feels like a block party
Sip Coffee House
1223 W Grand AveCute little coffee shop with outdoor seating in the back
Starbucks
1588 N Milwaukee AveLuckily your Starbucks fix is within easy walking distance
Drinks & Nightlife
One of the tiniest bars in Chicago - this place is a landmark. And if you order a cocktail be prepared to drink two glasses - they leave the full shaker for a refill.
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Matchbox
770 N Milwaukee AveOne of the tiniest bars in Chicago - this place is a landmark. And if you order a cocktail be prepared to drink two glasses - they leave the full shaker for a refill.
Historic irish pub - also featured in many films such as Oceans Eleven
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Emmit's Irish Pub
495 N Milwaukee AveHistoric irish pub - also featured in many films such as Oceans Eleven
This bar was formerly the bank vault - it makes my list because you can have a drink in the vault. The place is in the basement so it may be best on a rainy or cold night or a stop on your Division bar crawl.
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The Bedford
1612 West Division StreetThis bar was formerly the bank vault - it makes my list because you can have a drink in the vault. The place is in the basement so it may be best on a rainy or cold night or a stop on your Division bar crawl.
Planning a romantic evening - add RM to your plans. It makes you feel like you are in a hidden french courtyard - reservations recommended.
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RM Champagne Salon
116 N Green StPlanning a romantic evening - add RM to your plans. It makes you feel like you are in a hidden french courtyard - reservations recommended.
One of the hottest spots on the river - boats pull up to the front of the bar and the view can't be beat. Take a stroll down the entire riverwalk for a nice view of downtown. The sister property is in West Loop and has a great music venue.
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City Winery at the Chicago Riverwalk
11 W. Riverwalk SouthOne of the hottest spots on the river - boats pull up to the front of the bar and the view can't be beat. Take a stroll down the entire riverwalk for a nice view of downtown. The sister property is in West Loop and has a great music venue.
The Mid usually has the best artists - let me know if you are interested in taking a big group - I might be able to help your chances of getting in....
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The Mid
306 N Halsted StThe Mid usually has the best artists - let me know if you are interested in taking a big group - I might be able to help your chances of getting in....
Feel like dancing but aren't dressed like an extra in 'Sex and the City'? Go here - really fun club that is a little more casual - think "Michael Jackson" music night
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Beauty Bar
1444 W Chicago AveFeel like dancing but aren't dressed like an extra in 'Sex and the City'? Go here - really fun club that is a little more casual - think "Michael Jackson" music night
Nightclub is not the right word for this place - This is a house that has been set-up with a DJ, a cash-only bar, and a tiny dance floor that is full with people who are wearing whatever they want. It can be a lot of fun but you should probably really like Euro dance music to enjoy it.
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Dannys
Nightclub is not the right word for this place - This is a house that has been set-up with a DJ, a cash-only bar, and a tiny dance floor that is full with people who are wearing whatever they want. It can be a lot of fun but you should probably really like Euro dance music to enjoy it.
The Dawson
730 W Grand AveGreat cocktail program
The Hideout
1354 W Wabansia AveIt's a little off the beaten path - but great music venue
Newest rooftop bar in Chicago - overlooks the river.
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LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
85 E Wacker DrNewest rooftop bar in Chicago - overlooks the river.
G & O
459 N Ogden AveQuiet little bar within walking distance with great cocktails
Getting Around
Chicago & Milwaukee station
You can buy a transit card in this station