Category: Restaurants

One of Chicago's more recent additions to the vegetarian restaurant scene is Lakeside Cafe, up near the Evanston border. It's delicious, carcass free and organic twist on old favorites and contemporary flavors makes it a place everyone should try out at least once... and after that first bite, no doubt you'll be hooked! Who said healthy has to taste like leaves and twigs?

Two of the most popular entrees are the seitan gyros with vegan cucumber sauce and the Tao bowl, which is a full meal for only $6! Let me tell you, I know my gyros, and this is definitely it! Lots of oregano and thyme throughout – the look, taste and texture were all present and accounted for! All that was missing was all that grease, which isn't a bad thing.

Vegan and dairy based mozzarella cheese is available for ordering pizzas, and the Shepherd’s Pie is absolutely wonderful. Specials change nightly, along with monthlies thrown in for good measure. Lots of great juices are also available, as is fair trade coffee and tea. However, what makes Lakeside a solid standout is their absolutely sinful all vegan dessert menu. Blondies, brownies and cakes, oh my! Generous portions, made in house, with all the flavor you'd expect of a dessert item, and blessedly low on the density. What more could anyone else possibly ask for?

Now attached to this cozy little nook is the Inner Metamorphosis University (where that IMU sign comes from out front!). It features classes in meditation and dancing, along with vegetarian cooking, which the owner is more than happy to embellish upon. However, don't let that title fool you, as she's probably one of the most laid back individuals ever to grace a kitchen. Her overall personality really shows in the restaurant's overall decor, including the beautiful ivy draping the walls.

To be honest, the one “bad” thing about this place is the neighborhood it's based in. The eastern portion of Roger's Park can be downright scary for those outside the area, so it's best to keep your wits about you when going there after dark. Red line train riders should get off at Jarvis and not Howard, and drivers should circle until they find parking on Howard itself, making sure nothing of value is visible. With that one caveat in mind, making the trek out to Lakeside is well worth the little extra effort.

Now here’s a place that all coffee shops should take a few notes from. Folks who are otherwise turned off by that overall corporate, sterile, yuppie Starbucks mentality can come to Mercury Café and claim it as their second home.

Upon entering, the first thing people will realize just how HUGE this place is! It’s well spread out, with comfy couches and overstuffed chairs scattered throughout. There are actual vintage desks and chairs for those looking for a place to work and utilize the free WiFi, including plenty of sockets to plug into, which drops the worry about the batteries don’t dying out. The walls are decorated with rotating art guests can purchase by local up and comers, which adds to the overall coziness and charm, instead of the standard, uninspired wall hangings most cafes hang to merely fill up space. A decently stocked library is also available, as are classic board games and vintage clothing.

The coffee and teas brewed here are fair trade and organic and at very fair prices. Friendly staff actually bring out their orders to their customers, instead of making them wait by the register or keeping their ears perked for their names. What a novel idea! And, unlike many small independent cafes, these folks accept major credit cards, with only a $3 minimum, which saves the hassle of stopping at the ATM ahead of time.

Ample, made to order sandwiches are also available, again fairly priced and prepared with organic ingredients, featuring bread from a local independent baker, including vegan choices. Desserts also come from a local bakery, many of which are completely vegan and absolutely delicious! Dropping a $10 here truly goes a long way, and allows guests to linger as long as they wish, without ever feeling the pressure of the shop “needing the space”.

Since this establishment is so truly inviting, many social gatherings are held here, from chess players to those who have a penchant for all things Goth. Even so, the decibel level never seems to rise beyond a whisper for those seated away from the groups, combined with music filtered through the air that is just as eclectic and genuine as the regulars.

While the bulk of their business stems from their banquets and pizza delivery, La Villa does an excellent job at serving up wonderful, authentic Italian dishes, and the only thing inflated is their portions.

This dimly lit restaurant, complete with a full bar and tucked away, high backed booths sets the tone for a casual night out, more on the quiet side on later week nights. White linen table cloths and napkins adorn the well used tables and booths, lit by small candles, accompanied by quality olive oil for bread, setting the tone for something a little more special. Though the d?cor is very much a 70s throwback and could use a little sprucing up, there is a certain little bit of charm here that really doesn't seem to require they act all that fast on a total gut rehab.

Even when the adjacent banquet hall is booked up solid, the service is quick but not pressured, and everything prepared is fresh and home made. The basket of hot bread and focaccia is simply divine, the minestrone soup has a lot of flavor, and the pasta dishes are top notch. Their vast menu of steaks, ribs, chops and seafood are all grilled to perfection, and the small, fresh salad bar is quaint yet very tasty.

Of course, it's their pizza that made them a local favorite, and this is just the sort of place folks enjoy dining out for a pie. Sausage lovers will especially love their home made variety, and the sauce is right on time, even for picky Chicagoans who love their saucy pizzas! A decent selection of wines and brews are available, and the bar staff do a fine job of mixing just about anything guests could ask for.

It's little wonder folks have made this charming Italian restaurant part of their regular routine. La Villa makes folks feel right at home and even know their regulars on a first name basis. Just be sure to dine there after 7pm to ensure the families have already cleared out.

Whether folks need a place to mull over what they did the night before over pancakes and coffee or a quick bite of good old American fare, The Hollywood Grill is the place hipsters and locals hit anytime of the year, day or night. This vintage 50's roadside diner is decked out in pink and teal vinyl, with the walls nearly covered with classic black and white glossies of popular celebrities like Marilyn and Humphrey. is located just up the street from all the hottest bars and night clubs in the Bucktown / Wicker Park scene.

No matter what time it is, and no matter how crowded the after hours people make it, some way, some how, everyone gets seated relatively quick. And no matter what size the group is, the food comes out just as fast as it was ordered - the cooks must be clairvoyant! Also, the wait staff must have been sent there by God Himself, because they are so saintly when it comes to handling the after hours people. Quick, prompt, polite and able to tackle any attitude with none of their own. These are lifers and not the Trixie twenty somethings that always screw up the orders. Big thumbs up for the service alone!

Stick with the breakfast specials like the 2222 or the pancakes or omelets, which have just enough carbs and grease to coat any ornery tummy. The coffee is average diner blend but always fresh and hot. Burgers are decent, and they side them with crinkle cut fries! Just be sure to steer away from the Mexican stuff and anything that sounds out of place. Not good.

Of course, since its location is perfect for the party goers, Hollywood makes that pending hangover worth it with all the people watching that comes with the territory. Sure the place is a bit on the load side and perhaps a little too bright, but it's just so much fun to check out everyone there! It's definitely a place to be seen at 3am!

You know what they say: if a place is always busy, there's got to be a reason for it. Just remember they only take cash, and be sure to tip your waitress. She earned it.

Looking to take in a night of classic Italian food and follow it up with the best mixed drinks in town? Want it all wrapped up in a swanky supper club lounge that The Chairman would approve of? Then head to Club Lucky - serving up the absolute best martinis in town, right alongside some wonderful food at gastronomical portions!

Located off the area's main streets, this former speak easy embraces its heyday by keeping it real, mixing up fantastic concoctions like their Killer Martinis, garnished with either bleu cheese or anchovy stuffed olives made right there at home. This noisy, dimly lit 50's era establishment would make Tony Soprano proud, and is just as welcoming to the eclectic locals and politicians alike. While the upbeat scene may make some folks wary of pushy, in and out service, they can be rest assured knowing that taking their time to enjoy their drinks with pleasant company is perfectly fine.

For those deciding to go ahead and order up some food, the Sicilian menu is sure to please. The grilled calamari always needs to be boxed up due to its large servings, but comes in at a close second to their pasta, steaks and chops. The d?cor begs folks to enjoy twirling that enormous plate of spaghetti they offer, complimented of course with a nice Chianti as the likes of Sinatra croon through the air. And yes, heavenly tiramisu is featured on their dessert menu and is always a favorite!

So yes, Club Lucky is a must do, perhaps before taking in a show at the nearby Double Door or while on the hunt for a late night bar!

Probably the most popular Irish bar in all of Chicago and sponsors of the St. Patrick's Day parade and the annual Celtic Fest downtown. The Abbey Pub is also host to live entertainment with a nicely risen stage and a good shot from just about any vantage point. The sound is fairly decent as well, with a low ceiling, wrap around balcony that allows guests to enjoy traditional Irish fare while catching a show.

The decor in the venue area is very charming, with large rounded picture windows that take up both floors and exposed brick walls, helping to justify its namesake. Couples may want to venture upstairs during crowded shows, where the dim lighting and sense of relative spaciousness will allow for a more intimate experience. In spite of the big screen TV's and other sports bar regalia, this place has a classic homey feel to it. Service can be a little on the slow side with the wait staff, but with so much going on, only seriously hungry patrons will notice. The bars however are manned by squadrons of staff, ensuring everyone gets their pints in a timely manner.

As far as the food is concerned, this place really knows how to serve up some fantastic, authentic Irish fare. Go for the fish and chips - a huge, hearty portion that is also on the all you can eat special Friday nights. The shepherd's pie is undoubtedly the best in the city, and where else would anyone want to order up corned beef and cabbage on Saint Paddy's Day? An interesting addition is the curry fries, which is covered in a wonderful gravy. Of course, standard bar grub is also available and very tasty, like burgers, cheese sticks and hot wings, but it seems almost sinful to order that sort of thing here!

So head on down to the Abbey, grab a pint of the dark stuff and check out a great band!

While some people may never venture inside because they think it's a dirty, brawly biker bar, there will be twice as many folks who wander in for a beer and a burger… and get a whole lot more! The line of bikes outside the Twisted Spoke sure can look intimidating, and that skeleton perched overhead on a revolving chopper can be downright frightening! But hey - that just means the tourists are held back at bay, along with the screaming babies who tend to tag along. And, mom will probably never want to go here once she finds out what they do on Saturday nights!

Just as one would expect, the decor is full of chrome and chopper imagery - pure Hog Heaven this side of Sturgis! In the summer, folks can climb on upstairs and hang out with their mascot, catching an eyeful of the neighborhood below. Since the staff work at their own pace and the food is made to order, folks in the know go there anticipating it will be a fun night out.

Beer and drink specials run consistently, and they serve what is probably the best tasting burgers in town, seasoned perfectly. Seriously. The Fat Boy is a 1/4 pounder, and the Double Fatty is another patty for a few bucks more! All of their items are organic, and many items on the menu are vegetarian and even vegan. (Hey! Bikers can get away with sporting pleather these days, y'know!) Another favorite is All You Can Eat meatloaf Mondays, while others would recommend the Pot Roast.

Oh, and just what exactly is Smut N' Eggs? On Saturdays at midnight, they pull the shades and run pornos on the walls while patrons dine off the brunch menu. Seriously, once mom finds out about that, she will probably never want to go there. Or Aunt Maggie. Or Nanna. Or maybe even the better half, since it really is Smut, and not the foux foux "erotic" stuff on Skinemax.

Usually a first stop for many north side pub crawls, Laschet's Inn serves up some great brews and fantastic authentic German food bigger than the Black Forest itself!

German natives and locals agree, this is by far the best German tavern and restaurant in town. While tourist drawing, leder hosen donning Oompa bands may not frequent on a nightly basis or have an overall Beerfest mentality like the Lincoln Square Brau Haus, Laschet's Inn, located just a block down the street from the St. Ben's clock tower, serves up large portions of great authentic food with brews to match!

Walking in the front door of this otherwise unassuming neighborhood tavern tends to stir an image of a bygone era of Chicago bars, complete with double swinging doors, creeky steps, solid dark wood paneling and simple decorations. This is clearly Bavaria. It isn't exactly the most trendy of spots, but the comfort level shoots through the roof, with fair lighting to accommodate light, friendly encounters.

For those who have never booked a flight out to Frankfort can walk away with a sense of being there, from the encased steins decorating the walls, to the food and its seasonal brew counterparts. The bar staff is known for giving out comp'ed shots, so a designated driver is a necessity! The bottled list is almost entirely German, so those looking for a cheap, kitschy PBR is sorely out of luck. On tap includes brands folks may have a hard time pronouncing but go down oh so smoothly.

Go up a level and have a great meal, with tables covered with red and white checkered vinyl cloths. Daily specials rotate nightly, though the wiener schnitzels, brat wursts and thuringers are the top orders. Potato salad and surprisingly tasty saur kraut sides are naturally the German variety, and the dense, dark Lithuanian rye bread served is very hearty and matches well with any meal. Of course, no German menu would be complete without a home made apple strudel dessert, which they make superbly! Every meal is created from secret family recipes, each simply superb in its own right.

In fact, the food here is praised as being better than any of its Milwaukee counterparts. A word of warning comes to those wanting speedy service, as good food takes time to prepare. No worries though, as it gives guests a chance to catch up over a stein of good beer while the hunger grows, making room for the enormous portions!

It used to be a given that if you want great Indian food and you were in Chicago, you had to go to Devon Avenue to get it. Of course, the food is great no matter which place you wandered into, since they are all featuring authentic Northern and / or Southern Indian fare, they are family owned and operated and come at great prices to boot. However, the parking on Devon between Western Avenue and Kimball is horrendous, it is very difficult to even drive around there, the service can be hit or miss and the decor almost unanimously is less than to be desired. One new restaurant set out to remove all the negatives and improve on the positives, and that place is Tandoor's in Park Ridge.

Before even hitting upon the food itself, the first distinction is the location. Street parking is a breeze, and while it may be further west, the drive time for most folks is about the same, even though it's still on Devon! While the outside may be more reminiscent of a small diner, inside it is absolutely lovely and impeccably clean, hitting patrons head on with those wonderful aromas. The service couldn't be any more attentive and friendly, even for folks who have never tried any of those savory, Northern style spicy dishes before. However, be forewarned those used to eye tearing, nose clearing Bombay curries may be somewhat disappointed, as the owner Chris has turned down the heat a notch, possibly in order to cater to the surrounding area.

Like most Indian restaurants, Tandoor offers a small but decently varied buffet for lunch, as well as a dinner buffet on Friday and Saturday nights, all for $9.99! Those really wanting to savor the use of that Tandoor oven should try the Sizzling Platter, which is a whole mound of seasoned meats, poultry and seafood, ideal for sharing. Pair it with a Vegetable Korma and add some Naan or Aloo Paratha for a complete meal. Since they are waiting for their liquor license and no BYOB is currently available, ideal drinks would include a good Masala tea or even a Lassi. The best dessert options so far seem to be the Gulab Jamun and the Kheer dish, which many folks would find similar to rice pudding.

As this restaurant continues to grow and become known as the other place to go for great Indian fare, it can only be assumed Tandoor's will give its well established competitors some food for thought!

Sphinx Cafe is by far one of the most original and delightful establishments around Chicago! Delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, charming staff and oh yes - belly dancing! Customers get to watch the sexy Haflas after a sumptuous meal while they sip robust Turkish coffee and hook up with a hookah while gearing up for the big dance party afterwards. Where else but in the land of the Pharaohs can this be appreciated? In Niles, of course, just outside of Chicago's northwest side.

The best time to take in all of what the Sphinx has to offer is on a Saturday night after seven, and plan on making a full evening out of the deal. Be prepared to take a virtual journey to the Middle East and enjoy the richness of the culture, dressing for a casual, exciting night out.

The service is somewhat laid back, so take advantage of it! Order up the Veggie Combo as an appetizer, as well as a plate of those tasty Stuffed Grape Leaves! A great compliment is their fresh Mint Tea, so be sure to try that out as well. Dinner suggestions include their tender Lamb Chops, the Kefta Kabobs as well as the Couscous Plate. Of course, polish it off with their wonderful Turkish coffee and some sweet Baklava.

After eating and just as you feel you can stand no more, have your staff bring a Hookah to your table while your food digests - be sure to ask for the apple flavoring, which is the patrons' favorite! Its sweet smoke is invigorating and not at all like cigarettes. It is at this is where the fun begins, as the belly dancers take to the floor! If anything can stir up those wild and crazy suppressions, this is it! But hey - don't be in a hurry to leave, because at ten, the Sphinx transforms into a night club, complete with popular disc jockeys of the area. Work off those lingering calories and dance the night away! Their full bar hosted by very talented staff can mix up a mean martini and also have a decent spread of brews and top shelf selections.

The Sphinx closes at four, so you and your date will have just enough time to hit a pancake house on the way back home before the sun rises and the Sunday paper hits the curb. It might be hard to snap back into reality after a night like that, but it will definitely be worth it!