The harsh winter keeps locals counting down the days to spring. When warm weather finally settles in, it's like a whole new city--people smiling, dogs walking, beer flowing. We've scouted out the top spots where you can enjoy your pints and eats alfresco.
Edgewater may sound like a far ride on the El, but easy lakefront access, an abundance of ethnic eateries and vintage emporiums make this Far North enclave well worth the trek. Although it's gentrifying at warp speed, the neighborhood manages to retain a tranquil vibe, with turn-of-the-century homes and 1920s architecture that attracts families and young fashionables alike. Ethiopian, Asian fusion and noodle houses are among the diverse cuisine offerings, while live music, belly dance, and cozy bars keep locals and visitors clamoring for more.
Devon is best in the early evening when businesses are still open but the daylight has started to fade--lights, sounds and general chaos come into focus. Start east, move west, mainly because this will give a point of reference--the lake behind you--but it doesn't really matter; Devon is packed with interesting sights, sounds and smells.
Surely, part of West Town's new appeal must be its undefined boundaries--a nebulousness that earns the neighborhood a kind of mysterious vibe. You hear "it's in West Town" and think cool…now where's that, exactly? Smart business owners know this, too, resulting in a heavy concentration of leading-edge restaurants, bars and shops. Start your trip-planning with some of these spots.
Contrary to popular belief, vegans--who swear off meat, dairy and refined sugar--are not deprived. The reality is an explosion of creativity and unleashed flavor. From diner burgers to Indian buffets, Chicago's dairy- and meat-free options are aplenty. So go ahead, introduce your palette to six staple restaurants on the vegan scene.
Forget all other types of hooch--Chicagoans are beer-swillers at heart. Fortunately, local breweries go beyond the basics, wooing hops-lovers with interestingly nuanced, made-on-site selections. Here are a few brews from in the vicinity that beg to be savored.
Finally, spring is beginning to show its face in the Windy City. It's time to ditch that down jacket and peel off those extra layers of socks and shirts. Still, what do you do when it's still a bit nippy? We've got the latest coats for the year's trickiest weather season.
The old adage about birds and feathers flocking together holds true when it comes to cocktails after work. Sure, this is useful information if you are a new doctor, lawyer or trader in search of camaraderie. But it also might interest those in search of something else--a well-heeled mate. All you have to do is choose your profession.
Tough economic times call for pinching pennies, but that doesn't mean comprimising style just to pay bills. Here, we find Chicago boutiques that teach you how to unleash the budding designer in you with chic A-line skirts, hand-made bracelets and more.
Pie a la mode, a slice of cheesecake, molten chocolate cake. Everyone loves the basics when it comes to sweet treats, but why not tempt your eyes as well as your tastebuds? These whimsical desserts not only taste delish--they're almost too cool looking to eat. Not.
The South Side of Chicago--a bastion for professional sports, landmark architecture, elite schools, top-notch hospitals and deeply ingrained Catholic beliefs--is a deep source of pride for its residents, many of whom are relatives of immigrants who settled in the area. One of the best ways to take in the scene is at its watering holes, where in-the-know tipplers procure pints. So, prepare for a pub crawl that does the Emerald Isle proud.
You've scored the tickets--now where to eat before curtain time? Turns out restaurants understand the theater-fan dilemma: crunched for time, hungry, but not crazy about blowing wads of cash before the first act. We've rounded up the deals that are worth a standing ovation.
From a new restaurant or bar to fab spa treatments, gyms, events or attractions, find Chicago's top 10 things to do this spring.
If there's anything we've learned from Mickey O'Rourke (besides how to rock a fur coat and sunglasses), it's that ice cubes + chocolate sauce + blindfolds = seduction. As pop culture and history tells it, foods are aphrodisiacs. Romantics, indulge in taste tours at these eight Chicago restaurants. They might just be what your love affair needed.
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Photo credits: Almonds by Shutterstock/Valentyn Volkov; Asparagus by Shutterstock/Ason; Chocolate courtesy Ghirardelli; Figs by Shutterstock/Liv friis-larsen; Truffles by Shutterstock/Mr. Mario
The seven deadly sins get a really lousy rap--eternal damnation is a real reputation killer. Funny, as so many businesses are designed to nail at least one vice. Here's a roundup of the best ways to sin for a week.
