Hot Blocks: Uptown

1020 West Argyle St, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)

A trip to Uptown is not complete without a pit stop at one of the area's many Vietnamese restaurants. From lobster curry to water spinach with bean curd, an endless array of this restaurant's treats tickle the fancy of diverse palettes. Start with one of the steaming, fragrant bowls of soup, like the beef pho or lamb noodle stew, and then move on to traditional favorites such as vermicelli noodles with sugarcane shrimp or Vietnamese-style crepes.

4949 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)

An authentic slice of no-nonsense Thai lies within these walls. Weekday lunch specials and a clean, bright atmosphere pull in patrons. Northeastern Thai specialties such as Issan sausage, juiced up with garlic, ginger, cilantro and fermented rice, separates this place from the herd.

4832 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)

Indian cuisine takes on a fusion tone at this swanky Uptown spot, where the full-throttle flavors of Northern and Southern India combine with a contemporary twist. From the curried South Indian coconut soup to the vegetarian thali, taste is an unfiltered affair.

1224 W Wilson Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)

On a Friday night, where can you go for a bit of substance and class? This American bistro, of course, where you should follow your decadent three-course meal with a jazz jam at the nearby Green Mill. Do try the crab cakes, but save room for the creme brulee.

4802 N Broadway St, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)

Al Capone's right-hand man, Jack McGurn, was once an owner here as well as a frequent patron, and the Prohibition-era vibe remains intact at this intimate nightclub-meets-jazz-venue that hosts nightly quartets, solo acts, trios and sets from great performers around the world. Go Thursday nights for the sweet sounds of big band jazz, or Friday nights at 9pm to hear a showcased band.

4746 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)

From punk to hipster, mosh pit to Sonic Youth, the Riviera has seen it all. The spacious interior, which hearkens back to its Jazz Age days as a movie house, allows for plenty of bumping and grinding.

4659 N Clark, Chicago, IL 60640 (map)

Michelob and Old Style flow freely at this dive bar that hasn't seen a lick of gentrification in the last several decades. When you're in the mood for honky-tonk and the unusual, hightail it down to this laid-back gem of a bar.