Café Selmarie
4729 N. Lincoln Ave. (in Giddings Plaza), (773) 989-5595. Known as a neighborhood favorite by many Chicagoans, Café Selmarie in Lincoln Square is a great place to meet a friend, bring family or have a special date. From May until September, the café offers alfresco dining in beautiful Giddings Plaza. The seasonal menu focuses on fresh ingredients with a wide range of choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. For over 20 years, Café Selmarie has remained a prime destination for not only superb food, fine wines and beer, but also delicious baked goods and beautiful wedding cakes. Café Selmarie's hours are Monday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. (brunch 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.). Visa and MasterCard are accepted. For more information, call (773) 989-5595, or visit the Web site at cafeselmarie.com.
Chicago Brauhaus
4732 N. Lincoln Ave., (773) 784-4444. This Lincoln Square restaurant features excellent German and American cuisine. Specialties include sauerbraten, wienerschnitzel, roast veal shank and roast duck. Great beer selection. Live entertainment nightly and lots of Gemütlichkeit! Open 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Sunday. Closed Tuesdays.
The Cheese Stands Alone
4547 N. Western Ave., (773) 293-3870. Founded by Matt and Sarah Parker, this shop offers familiar cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella and provolone as well as more exotic varieties such as Cabrales, Chimay and Epoisses. "We want everyone to come in, and to not be intimidated," says Matt. The 100 varieties include artisanal cheeses from North America, as well as imported cheeses from Europe and around the world.
In addition, customers can pick up gourmet crackers or fresh bread, pate, hummus, mustard, olives and fresh mayonnaise. Cooks will appreciate the imported pastas, fresh sauces and a line of Scottish soups from Baxter. Try the signature collection of about 10 to 15 varieties of Belgian style chocolates, all handmade by Sarah.
Hours: Tuesday—Friday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m., closed Monday.
Club Lucky
1824 W. Wabansia Ave., (773) 227-2300. The flair of the forties meets the 21st century at Bucktown's most popular restaurant and unique cocktail lounge. Generous portions of traditional Italian food are served family style. Specialties include handmade pastas, chicken vesuvio, pork chops, eggplant parmesan, vegetarian antipasti and a large specials card. Try one of their famous killer martinis with hand-stuffed blue cheese olives—voted Chicago's best. Private dinners and cocktail parties are available in the Club Room. Special family menus are also available on a per person basis. Good food and fun! New outdoor patio now open. Call Club Lucky at (773) 227-2300 to book your party today.
Costello Sandwich and Sides
Two locations: 2015 W. Roscoe St., (773) 929-2323; and 4647 N. Lincoln Ave., (773) 989-7788. Costello's has established itself as a neighborhood favorite. The atmosphere is cute and cozy, the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. There are delicious oven-baked sandwiches ("crispy on the outside, melty on the inside"). Try the Tuna Grinder, Turkey Lite, Baked Falafel Wrap, and Chipotle Mac & Cheese. Specialties include Baked Caprese, Village Vegetarian and the Costello, a tasty mix of mortadella, hot cappicola and provolone baked on a crusty Italian loaf with marinated artichokes, tomato, black olives and roasted red peppers. Also unbaked sandwiches, delicious salads and sides, and hearty homemade soups. Owners Lisa Costello and brother Chris bring a personal touch to everything they do. Eat in, alfresco, carry-out and delivery. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Cullen's Bar & Grille
3741 N. Southport Ave., (773) 975-0600. The center of Irish society, conversation and entertainment on the North Side and never a cover charge. You must try the meat loaf—rated #1 in Chicago. Its location next to Mercury Theater and steps from Music Box and Wrigley Field make this a one-stop entertainment shop. Outdoor patio dining with great people watching and real Irish bar staff. Open for lunch and dinner.
Fireside Restaurant & Lounge
5739 N. Ravenswood Ave., (773) 878-5942. From traditional to unique, Cajun to Italian, vegetarian to hand-cut filets, Fireside offers something for everyone at a moderate price. The multilevel outdoor patio offers late-night service and a retractable awning system. Voted No. 1 Bloody Mary Bar in Chicago!
Four Farthings Tavern and Grill
2060 N. Cleveland Ave., (773) 935-2060. Specializing in USDA Choice steaks and fresh fish. Enjoy outdoor dining in a setting with fresh flowers and bright yellow sun umbrellas. All meals, wines and cocktails served in the dining room and saloon are also served alfresco daily.
Geja’s Cafe
340 W. Armitage Ave., (773) 281-9101. Chicago’s most romantic restaurant. Geja’s, in business 40 years now, features fondue dining in a unique environment. Live flamenco and classical guitar nightly. The 27th Annual California Wine Festival is held there May-August.
Glascott's Saloon
2158 N. Halsted St., (773) 281-1205. A Lincoln Park favorite since 1884, this tavern offers tasty beverages, dancing and socializing in a unique setting. Private rooms available for parties. Summer fun starts here.
Jury's Food & Drink
4337 N. Lincoln Ave., (773) 935-2255. This classy neighborhood restaurant and bar also offers outdoor dining on the sidewalk cafe or the beautiful patio out back. Jury's cheeseburgers have been featured on WBBM Channel 2 as "Best of Chicago." Open for lunch and dinner, Jury's offers much more than just burgers. They offer a great salad selection, pasta, seafood, barbecue ribs and aged steaks.
There are specials every day, and they boast a wine list of over 50 different wines by the bottle, pretty impressive for a little neighborhood joint. Special half price list on Saturday and Sunday. Monday night two for one dinners, Tuesday night is "$10 & $12 Tuesday"—great selections for $10 or $12 each including a $10 bottle of wine, Wednesday is Burger Day with 1/2 pound burgers for $4.50, and Thursday is Steak Night with a discount on all steaks. Friday's special is Lake Perch. Make Jury's one of your stops this summer.
Kincade’s
950 W. Armitage Ave., (773) 348-0010, and Kelsey’s, 2265 N. Lincoln Ave., (773) 348-1666. These two popular Lincoln Park hangouts are local favorites. They specialize in bachelor/bachelorette parties. Book summer parties now. They run party buses to Bears games and the Tweeter Theater for Jimmy Buffett and Dave Mathews; $10 fee includes transportation to and from show, refreshments on bus.
Kingston Mines
2548 N. Halsted St., (773) 477-4646. Known around the world and now celebrating their 35th anniversary. "Ain't Nothing but the Blues," seven nights a week. Two stages open 8 p.m., show time 9:30 p.m.; 'til 4 a.m./ 5 a.m. Saturdays. MC at Chicago's blues center is Frank Pellegrino. "Doc's" ribs are not to be missed!
Kopi, A Traveler's Cafe
5317 N. Clark St., (773) 989-5674. Now a mainstay of its Andersonville neighborhood, this very distinctive, somewhat bohemian coffeehouse offers vegetarian fare (great soup), along with a full complement of coffee drinks. There's also a traveler's bookstore, and a gift shop packed with imports (many from Bali) well worth the visit. Also, live performance some evenings.
La Donna Restaurant
5146 N. Clark St., (773) 561-9400. A family restaurant specializing in Italian cuisine, La Donna provides an inviting atmosphere coupled with a passionate Italian chef who uses only the finest and freshest ingredients. Enjoy the beautiful, remodeled dining room and new sit down bar. You'll appreciate the Early Bird and Fixed Dinner Menu, and the Weekday Specials. This restaurant is diet- and vegetarian-friendly! La Donna can accommodate private parties of 10 people or more. Catering can be arranged for in-home parties of 10-50 people.
Open seven days a week, the restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and Saturday and Sunday brunch. Valet parking is available on Friday and Saturday. Reservations are taken for parties of six or more — or any number during the holidays. La Donna is closed on Independence Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
For an authentic menu that changes with the seasons, for a wide variety of delicious Italian dishes, visit La Donna. For more details, log on to
www.ladonnaitaly.com.
O'Brien's Restaurant
1528 N. Wells St., (312) 787-3131. Step into Chicago's historic Old Town neighborhood at O'Brien's. The Garden Café, with its Gazebo Bar appointed with teakwood tables and chairs and a water fountain, will ease your senses while you enjoy the lunch menu: appetizers, salads, burgers and other lighter options. Step into the main dining room and enjoy prime steaks, fresh seafood, chicken, veal and pasta entrees. Free valet parking, cigar friendly piano bar and private rooms for your celebration await you. Open daily at 11 a.m., with a Sunday brunch. Reservations recommended; obriensrestaurant.com.
Pat’s Pizzeria
3114 N. Sheffield Ave., (773) 248-0168. Delicious thin-crust pizza, pasta, seafood, vegetarian entrées and more. Outdoor dining available. Take out, dine in and delivery. Free parking.
Pauline's
1754 W. Balmoral Ave. at Ravenswood Ave., (773) 561-8573. The home of "simply good food," Pauline's offers hearty, homestyle breakfast all day, belt-busting sandwiches, soups and salads with daily specials, and fountain creations with delectable ice cream. Eat indoors or out on the pleasant Balmoral terrace. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is upbeat. Open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day.
Ranalli's Up North
1522 W. Montrose Ave., (773) 506-8800. Pizza, pasta, salads, sandwiches, ribs and much, much more make this Ravenswood area family restaurant unbeatable at satisfying any cravings you might have. Cozy dine-in, prompt pick-up, hot fast delivery and quality custom catering are all available. And don't miss the outdoor patio! Ranalli's Up North brings all the downtown quality and service you've come to expect from Ranalli's to your neighborhood! For details, log on to www.ranallisupnorth.com.
Red Lion Pub
2446 N. Lincoln Ave., (773) 348-2695. Chicago's only authentic English pub. An Anglophile's delight with lots of memorabilia and a real London phone booth. Come for conversation, stay for the food... it's good! Convenient to theater/movies; readings and special events. Twilight Tales on Monday night: Local authors read their work of science fiction, mystery, romance and western.
Tom and Wendee's Homemade Italian Ice
1136 W. Armitage Ave., (773) 327-2885. Make summertime fun extra-special with a delicious, refreshing treat from Tom & Wendee's. Their homemade Italian ices are made on the premises from all natural fruit juices and purees, and you can choose from 16 rich, luscious flavors including lemon, strawberry lemonade, pina colada, orange-tangerine, black raspberry, and banana strawberry.
Don't pass up a chance to taste their fat free chocolate ices either. You can enjoy your gourmet treat in their air conditioned store or bask in their sunny outside seating. Open noon-10 p.m. seven days a week. |
