Got a taste for something a little different? Then fly on down to the Pegasus! From the front windows that completely open up, to the veranda rooftop deck and the wealth of delicious Greek cuisine, this contemporary dining establishment embedded in the heart of Greektown puts all of its counterparts to shame and makes all of Chicagoland shout "Oopa!" at the top of their lungs!
If kicking off the evening to a fun and festive start is on the menu, be sure to order up an appetizer of Saganaki, the flaming cheese, with drinks and mull over the menu while savoring it's ooey gooey goodness. In fact, since most folks can not just pick one favorite off the menu, so bypass it altogether and go family style - the Greek way! Have the spirited and helpful wait staff assist in picking out several items so both of you can get a taste of some of the best the Pegasus has to offer. Of course, if you had your heart set on getting some of that lamb or fresh seafood Greece is known for, be sure to order either the Paidakia (Lamb chops) or the Sinagrida (broiled Red Snapper). Either way you decide to go, just remember to order up some of the best Baklava in the city for dessert!
If the food and beautiful ambiance are not enough enticements to lure people to arrive in droves, then the wine list will surely do it. The Pegasus has taken a great deal of time in choosing its Greek wine selection, none of which will max out the card. A decent mid-grade, red recommendation is the Boutari Naossa, while the Boutari Kretikos is its white equal. Of course, those wishing to stick to what they know best will find familiar listings from California and abroad.
So, make a fun, romantic and truly memorable night of contemporary culture at the Pegasus! With so many reasons to go, it is little wonder this establishment makes its neighbors jealous.
What can be said about Jane's Restaurant that hasn’t been already? Is it the charming, country exterior? How about the beautiful White Room inside? Or, can it simply be the wide selection of fresh, healthy entrees? Answer: it’s all the above, and then some!
Even from Jane’s unassuming exterior, something nudges you to go on in and give it a try. More than anything else, it resonates a bygone era, more akin to Grandma’s house out in the country than a restaurant in the pulsating Buck town / Wicker Park neighborhood. As you walk in, you again are sent traveling back in time, this time to a Victorian-era bakery or ice cream parlor. The glue that binds the two together is the use of white and cream tones, covering just about every inch of the establishment. What would normally seem to be a bit institutional or even sanitary actually works in Jane’s favor, creating a gentle calm and peace, allowing you to just be.
The wait staff is prompt but not quick or hurried, intuitively knowing just when you’re ready to begin ordering. The selections they go over with you have that American contemporary theme, but seem to touch upon a nice hodge podge of everything perfectly, from the Pepper Encrusted New York Strip streak to the Creole Blackened Grouper and right on down to the Mustard Glazed Chicken breast. A nice selection of domestic and international wines are kept cool in their cellar, complimenting their wonderful, home style dishes. Also, vegetarians seem to have found a new haunt in town, as almost half of their choices cater to them.
What has truly made Jane’s stand out though is their wonderful breakfasts. The eggs Benedict are simply superb and the pancakes include apples or apricots sprinkled with powdered sugar and complimented with warm syrup. Even the coffee is a couple grades higher: Intelligentsia roasts replace the standard food service beans other restaurants push off on their patrons. Plenty of other choices are also available, each prepared tastefully yet just like you’d expect at Grandma’s. And yes, go for their Sunday brunch! While brunch has become the new standard for most restaurants these days, Jane’s has taken this notion to a whole new level, adding just a touch of Grandma’s love to every item.
So when you find yourselves in Bucktown, be sure to give Jane’s a try, morning, noon or night! She’s saving a table just for you.
Hachi's Kitchen is more than just a place to pick up some great rolls (or get them delivered); it is a complete dining experience that warrants repeat visits. Contemporary Japanese decor compliment Chef Jim Bee’s sushi innovation, through elegance, ambiance, presentation and overall dedication to detail. This Bee spin-off from his Lincoln Park establishment, Sai Cafe proves to be a wonderful asset to the beautiful Logan Square neighborhood.
Of course, it is the delicate creations themselves that warrant Bee’s colony of faithful patrons. From the popular Maki rolls to the eye pleasing Chirashi and everything in between, fresh and colorful ingredients make every dish an adventure unto itself. Bee also shows off his ingenuity by creating special menus around the seasons and holidays, though is happy to oblige to those who would rather stick to the regular menu.
The inventive use of just about every creature under the sea is apparent right off the menu, featuring fan favorites like the Volcano Maki and the mouth watering Spicy White Tuna Crunch. Be daring! Ask about the day’s recommendations on top of the standards and see if Bee is up to whipping up something fabulous just for you!
If there must be a point of contention, it lies in the parking issue, since no valet is currently available. However, the immediate area is quiet and safe and street parking is not anywhere near as cumbersome as it‘s Lincoln Park counterpart. Therefore, making a one or even two block hike is well worth the trek to Hachi’s. Reservations are accepted, though couples should not find an issue with immediate seating.
Overall, this is a posh little nook that is just off the boulevard and is deserving of visits by Japanese dignitaries and sushi novices alike. It proves to be an excellent place to celebrate milestones as well as for taming that everyday craving.
People say you can’t have your cake and eat it, too, but at Sweet Thang on North Avenue, you certainly can. Specializing in traditional French and American pastries, cakes and croissants, Sweet Thang has created quite a buzz in Wicker Park in its almost five years of being open. Anyone who has ever walked by and peeked in can attest to the romantic draw of the red heart-shaped chairs and the sugary sweets that call out from the pastry cases.
Inside, the café has a quaint, French atmosphere. Chairs and tables are cozily squeezed into the area across from the long counter, adorned overhead with ornate, vintage-style lamp shades over unique hanging light fixtures. Red paint, an exposed brick wall and detailed crown molding add a classy touch, and really make it hard not to stick around and have another cookie with your coffee. The back of the café features a slightly bigger sitting area, stylishly decorated with long draperies and chandeliers. To get to this area, you’ll pass under a decorative “wedding cake” that sits majestically over the entryway. A definite attention-getter!
As for cookies, they’re fresh and delicious, and the same can be said of the coffee. If you’ve got a few minutes to spare, let the person at the counter take a minute to make you a cappuccino. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is something you’d expect to experience in a café like this. Go ahead, give a chocolate chip or a peanut butter cookie a try—when was the last time you got to have a freshly baked cookie, anyway?
Sweet Thang also boasts wedding and specialty cakes, which range in price from $4 to $15 per person. Their talented staff can accommodate almost any cake design, even such odd requests as musical instruments, books, tools and clothes, just to name a few. Sweet Thang’s dessert cases also house treats like cheesecake, tarts, pies and mousses. If you’re looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, this place has just what you need!
Whether you’re by yourself looking for a quiet place to relax and read a book, or with friends looking for an intimate setting to make the latest juicy confession, Sweet Thang provides the ideal environment.
Next time you find yourself walking down North Avenue in Wicker Park, make sure you stop at Santullo's Eatery. Its outer appearance doesn’t quite hint at all the yummy goodness that can be found inside, which is why you have to check it out for yourself.
When you first walk in, delicious smells reach your nose and you realize that you’re suddenly really hungry. You’ll notice, too, the stylish but casual way that this place has been decorated. You have your choice of dark cherry-colored booths or high tables with chairs. Black and white photographs of people from generations gone hang high on the walls, and you can often hear quaint old-fashioned tunes while you eat. Tarnished wood floors add to the vintage feel.
But what’s most important is the food. Not only does Santullo’s serve classic sandwiches on fresh baked bread, but they also have homemade soups, salads, beer and wine, and sides like potato or pasta salad prepared daily! And who could forget their pizza; Santullo’s does, after all, boast “a slice of New York in Wicker Park.” They offer daily specials by the slice, too, and even a pizza “happy hour” Monday through Friday from 4-6 pm. A personal favorite is “Thee Hipster,” an amazing combination of fire roasted red pepper and goat cheese. Get a slice and you’ll be surprised by how it barely fits on the plate. For dessert, try the homemade Tiramisu or their signature “Big Apple.” And if by some chance you don’t want to leave the comfort of your own home, you can order one of Santullo’s 20-inch classics and have it delivered.
Best of all, Santullo’s Eatery is open until 3:00 A.M. on Fridays and Saturdays. That means you’ll be able to satisfy a late night craving without having to leave the bar early. Next time you’re in the area, stop in and have a slice. Your stomach will thank you.
Vegetarians: stay far, far away, lest ye craves a lesson in nightmarish torture! This is Man’s Country, baby, as steaks served up at this Western-themed, suburban steak house are not for the meek (or even the health-conscious). Al's Char-House proves a great steak does not have to be located in the city, have an elegant or trendy setting or include a hefty price tag. Nor does require proper dining etiquette or attire. The steaks carry plenty of weight on their own!
“Oh. My. Gawd!” That is almost unanimously the first thing people state when their orders are brought, no, scratch that - thumped, onto the table down at Al‘s. No lie! In fact, a question poses out of a curiosity if new wait staff are required to bench at least 250lbs. before applying. Al’s popular and super-tender 56oz Char-House steak should probably be sided with a doggie bag, as very few people can tackle it in a single sitting. Complimented with delicious raisin pumpernickel bread and honey butter, baked potato, steamed veggies and a choice of soup or salad, every meal is transformed into a gluttonous memory in and of itself.
Yes, there are smaller portions and cuts available, but none of them warrant a tag like quaint, dainty or especially presumptuous. Aside from the 56er, there are other choice cuts featured people will want to explore, such as their 48oz Porterhouse and the 32oz Texas Sirloin. A nice selection of drinks are available from their full bar, though sticking with a good beer or glass of wine sides best. The muscular wait staff is knowledgeable yet laid back, and the chefs have a solid understanding of what constitutes as “rare”.
Keeping in mind families are welcome, most couples will probably want to go to Al’s later in the evening, when the kids are already fast asleep and the traffic from out of the city is lighter. Besides, a place like this needs time to work up an appetite and is definitely worth the drive!
Don’t let the newspaper-themed and reasonably priced menu deceive you: Chicago Joe's cuts out on all of the fluff and only offers the best the city has to offer! With its shoot from the hip slogans and their famous raw oysters, this trendy location that literally screams Chicago and is sure to make any night a Friday night out!
As expected by natives, world famous Joe’s aims to please with its gut busting portions and decadent flavors. Besides the fall off the bone ribs and incredible Italian sausages, guests are treated to giant burgers, homemade soups, and their popular Oysters Rockefeller. Even vegetarians will be pleasantly surprised to find a few items on the menu, like their veggie burgers and sides. Oh and yes, try the key lime pie for dessert, if there‘s room!
Also, be sure to check out their amazingly fresh brunch buffet on Sundays, which is quite possibly one of the best spreads in the city. Their eye opening Bloody Marys compliment just about everything available, from the fresh salmon to traditional breakfast standbys. Nobody leaves here hungry!
So, for out of towners and locals alike, Joe’s has something for everyone and encourages all of their new found friends to Vote (for Joe’s!) Early and Often!
If your date happens to be the antiquing type who simply adores authentic turn of the century, functional light fixtures, statuaries, moldings, beveled glass and paintings and also happens to love a good Chicago pizza, then Gulliver's on the far north side is a must!
Hearts flutter and jaws lie agape simply walking in the door, as the ambiance is absolutely breathtaking, many layers thick in stunning beauty. The owner boasts as having the largest such collection in the country, making the wait for a nice, thick pizza seem to fly right on by. The wooden bench tables adds to the flair, the delicate lighting is set just right and the HUGE outdoor garden makes for a beautiful, romantic evening.
Fresh, inventive and exhaustive toppings abound like artichoke hearts and eggplant are complimented with a perfect sauce, thick with tomatoes. The crust is thick, hearty and yes, crusty, and in true Chicago fashion, they don’t hold back on the cheese!
For those looking for something different, Gulliver’s offers a huge selection of authentic Italian entrees even staunch foodie critics rave about, and their steaks are cooked to perfection, with Mexican and even Chinese fare thrown in for a surprise bonus. Even their appetizers think big in terms of variety, like their avocado egg rolls. No stone has been left unturned, be it in its museum-quality decor, the expansive menu or in the pride and love put into the food.
So, while Chicagoans have a plethora of pizza places to choose from, all boasting to be the best, it’s Gulliver’s overall experience that makes it the best place for food and dining.
Before hitting a show at the Aragon Ballroom or making it a jazzy evening at the Green Mill, be sure to check out this authentic Chinese restaurant located in the heart of Uptown. Outside of Chinatown itself, the Silver Seafood is the best place for Chinese food in the entire city, featuring some of the freshest seafood around, many times right out of the tank. It’s little wonder why locals insist upon making this their must-hit dining spot!
Don’t let its outward appearance fool you, because once you step inside, this seemingly small Chinese joint opens up as wide as the ocean itself, capable of handling all those repeat hungry customers. The lighting is a bit on the bright side and the decor isn’t exactly extravagant, but because the food is simply that good and unique, the Silver Seafood proves to be a great place to break the ice before that big night.
So, while she ain’t pretty, she sure is good, and its close proximity to the Uptown scene makes it a standout among the gritty burrito joints and Vietnamese restaurants dotting the landscape.
Located just beyond Chicago’s western boundary and next door to the dry town of Oak Park is this popular Irish pub and grub that is sure to win over any sweetheart! With an inviting country atmosphere, its large beer garden complete with its own bar and plenty of fun and friendly locals, Horan's Snug is a place where anyone is welcome, from business professionals to blue collared laborers and just about everyone in between.
The main bar is well-stocked with a large variety of top shelf libations and a nice selection of brews, hosted by very talented and knowledgeable bar staff who can concoct anything desired. Not to be seconded is its homey menu, which features nightly specials of both contemporary and traditional Irish fare. Some of the biggest requests include the shepherd’s pie, the steaks and the Big Snug, a burger so large the meek should not even consider ordering. In the summer months, people from all walks of life enjoy the charming beer garden out back, with dim lighting and delicate theme, making patrons feel as though they’re spending an evening at a good friend’s back yard.
In addition to the wining and dining is their popular karaoke nights starting at 10pm, comprising of over 35,000 song selections from every genre imaginable, guaranteed to keep the night hopping! People are known to travel from the city and outlying suburbs just to croon! Also, because Horan’s is located on Forest Park’s main strip, marauding party-goers frequent this establishment and tend to hunker down in the later hours, making last calls hard to enforce!
This combination undoubtedly makes for any kind of evening a couple could want, from a casual dinner and drinks to a wild shindig later at night. It’s little wonder Horan’s is so popular, and why I highly recommend it to all of my friends!
Got a taste for something a little different? Then fly on down to the Pegasus! From the front windows that completely open up, to the veranda rooftop deck and the wealth of delicious Greek cuisine, this contemporary dining establishment embedded in the heart of Greektown puts all of its counterparts to shame and makes all of Chicagoland shout "Oopa!" at the top of their lungs!
Next time you find yourself walking down North Avenue in Wicker Park, make sure you stop at 
Vegetarians: stay far, far away, lest ye craves a lesson in nightmarish torture! This is Man’s Country, baby, as steaks served up at this Western-themed, suburban steak house are not for the meek (or even the health-conscious). 