Filed In: chicago
let’s eat and drink | west loop chicago
photo credit nathan michael
When it comes to the Windy City, Chicago is best known for its deep dish pizza and ketchup-less hot dogs, but there’s so much more. Today I’m covering the West Loop, and this version of let’s eat and drink could take awhile. The West Loop has some of the best food in the city. There are so many amazing spots, and I know I’m going to forget a few so I will add to this list and I’d be happy to update it with any of your suggestions.
There are dozens of cafes, wine bars, small plate options, sushi bars, Mexican taquerias, Italian trattorias and French bistros, among many other exotic cuisines. There’s a stretch of Randolph Street from Halsted to Ogden called Restaurant Row with so many great options including Stephanie Izard’s Girl & The Goat and Little Goat restaurants. Sub-neighborhoods within the West Loop include Fulton Market, Greek Town and Randolph Market. Let’s eat and drink –
photo credit nathan michael
Au Cheval – Stop in here for a quick lunch. Also a great late-night spot. Signature plates include fried bologna piled into layers on a brioche bun and a burger that stacks two thin patties with melted American cheese and lots of mayo – some people claim it’s the best burger in the city.
Girl & the Goat – Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard opened this small plate hotspot in 2010. It’s probably the most popular West Loop restaurant so reserve your table at least three months out. Goat dishes are the specialty here and I can’t get enough of their bread – they have their own in house bakery where they make fresh bread daily.
Little Goat – This place is Izard’s follow up to Girl & the Goat and serves up her take on classic diner dishes. You can order a simple plate of eggs, bacon and toast here, but most of these classic dishes come with a twist like kimchi in the pancakes or goat chili on the cheese fries. Check out the bakery next door – it’s called Little Goat Bread and it has some of the best coffee in town.
De Cero – Quaint little Mexican café specializing in hand-pressed, made-to-order tacos. This place is a true West Loop gem.
Vivo – Sleek, sophisticated atmosphere and the menu is loaded with traditional Italian entrées. Last year for my birthday we came here and sat at Table 70 which is this table in an old elevator shaft that overlooks the entire restaurant. We had the most delicious meal and I highly recommend Table 70 for special occasions.
Maude’s Liquor Bar – This place is great for cocktails. Inside it’s like taking a trip to Paris – leather banquettes, weathered farmhouse tables and elegant fixtures. Fun place to go with your girlfriends. I recommend the Whiskey Smash.
Grange Hall Burger Bar – Looks like a cute little barn and has a no reservations policy. Menu headliners here are the scrumptious grass-fed beef burgers and don’t leave without having a slice of pie – this place features one pie every month.
Nellcote – Elegant interior inspired by a French Riviera mansion and some really unique Italian dishes. This is one of the newer Restaurant Row hotspots but it is highly recommended. Order one of their wood fired pizzas – I like the sunny side up organic egg.
RM Champagne Salon – Tucked behind Nellcote is this super swanky champagne spot. This place can be a little pricey but they have a large selection to choose from so just splurge a little.
Haymarket Pub & Brewery – Easygoing, reasonably priced place to chill out, try a new brew and watch a game. I love the exposed brick and vintage mosaic tiled floors. They specialize in classic Belgian and contemporary American beer styles.
The Publican – Large community tables, casual with a fun vibe. Try the oysters, grilled country ribs or the smoked trout. Also a popular place for brunch.
Publican Quality Meats – Warm interior design with floor to ceiling tiles and rustic wood furniture, laid-back and a great spot for lunch. This place is also a butcher shop, cafe, bakery and gourmet market. Can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches here.
Glazed and Infused – Every time I go here there is a new donut to try and I love that about this place. The maple bacon long john will start your day off right and the raspberry glazed is so simple but so delicious!
Vera – A tiny little wine bar just off the beaten path with a Euro heavy wine list and a menu full of bold Spanish flavors served up on small plates. The vibe here is fun and relaxed – a fantastic date night spot.
Belly Q – The focus is Korean barbecue. If you go, try to snag one of the booths – they are the only seats with tabletop grilling. It’s honestly hard to go wrong here. I like the thai style fried chicken and all of the pancakes. Don’t leave without ordering the peanut butter and jelly soft serve icecream for dessert.
JP Graziano Grocery – Chicago is serious about their delis and this place is no joke. Try the spicy or the Mr. G sandwich. The food selection isn’t huge but this is also a great place to buy imported cheeses, olive oils and fresh pasta.
City Winery – Excellent wine selection, ofcourse. Also a great place for a spontaneous date night – grab dinner, drink wine and enjoy live music. You can sign up for wine classes here too.
Wishbone – I love this place for brunch. Dig into southern themed items like corn pancakes or shrimp and grits.
Porkchop – This spot has a casual vibe. The interior is strange but the food is legit. Menu favorites include the pork belly sliders, baby back ribs or the classic southern fried chicken.
Aviary – Talk about innovative drinks – think dry ice and steam! It’s pricey but this place is otherworldly and should not be missed.
Next – This place is like no other restaurant and offers a very unique dining experience. There are four different menus each year and they are inspired by various moments in time – like Paris 1906 or Chinese Modern. Don’t plan on making reservations here – you have to buy tickets online.
Lone Wolf – It’s a new spot in the neighborhood and I would recommend it for beers and savory pot pies. You can choose from the Cowboy Queue (smoked brisket and beans), the Steak and Ale and the Mac Daddy (mac and cheese, bacon and onion).
Avec – This tiny wine-focused restaurant opened over ten years ago but it hasn’t lost its appeal. The menu is inspired by North African and Mediterranean flavors and includes items like roasted swordfish with yellow lentils or a crispy focaccia stuffed with taleggio. Go for a bottle of wine under $30 here – bargain bottles are their specialty.
CH Distillery – this place serves their own craft spirits in classic and creative cocktails. One of their signature drinks is called The Tradition and it’s a shot of cold vodka with rye bread and pickles. I recommend the Czech Mate which is a combination of cinnamon infused vodka, grapefruit juice and honey syrup. It’s delicious!
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photo credit we are the barkers
I’m so proud of this city, and I loved living there so much that I thought I’d share some of my favorite spots with you – a guide if you ever visit Chicago or if you live here and want to try a few new places. Today I’m going to start with my old Chicago neighborhood – River West.
So, River West – it’s a tiny little neighborhood along Milwaukee from Grand to Chicago east of the Kennedy Expressway and west of the North Branch of the Chicago River and there are tons of fine dining and inexpensive cafes, wine bars and coffee shops. There’s an intersection at Grand, Milwaukee and Halsted with several great places – La Scarola, Iguana Cafe, Piccolo Sogno and The Dawson. River West also rubs elbows with some of the trendier neighborhoods in the city – Wicker Park, River North and the West Loop are all just a few blocks away. Let’s eat and drink –
Iguana Cafe – A true local hangout with a European feel – I love it here. Try the crepes or the paninis. Linger over coffee or a glass of wine. Also a great spot for brunch.
La Scarola – this little restaurant is the real thing. Healthy sized portions of authentic Italian cuisine – I love their grilled calamari and any of their pasta dishes.
Piccolo Sogno – Delicious Italian food and amazing atmosphere. It has the best outdoor patio in the city and we order the antipasto appetizer every time. Previously mentioned Piccolo here.
Paramount Room – Craft beer, burgers and specialty cocktails. I like to grab a bite at the bar.
The Point – Grab a table outside in the sun and enjoy a great classic cocktail or beer from their long list.
694 Wine Bar – I love this spot, one of my favorites in the city! Delicious plates of meats and cheeses and an excellent wine selection. Go Wednesday night for BBQ night all year long!
Silver Palm – A railroad dining car turned restaurant and a great spot for dinner – or take a seat at one of the sidewalk tables.
Matchbox Bar – Very narrow, hip bar – could possibly be Chicago’s tiniest bar. Have a chat with one of the bartendars and a quirky cocktail. Can’t go wrong with a Manhattan – they marinate their own cherries in bourbon.
Big Shoulders Coffee – Grab your morning coffee and a fresh pastry. They’ve got wifi too if you need it.
Thalia Spice – an excellent little Thai cafe
Duran – It’s part of a small chain but the sandwiches are delicious and it’s BYOB
Windy City Cafe – a neighborhood gem and the very best breakfast sandwiches in the city! Family owned, lots of traditional breakfast and lunch options and their coffee comes from Big Shoulders.
The Dawson – a casual spot with three bars – upstairs, downstairs, outside – and an American menu that makes use of a wood-burning grill. This place just opened in the fall and is a great addition to the neighborhood!
kohler | wisconsin
Our weekend in Kohler consisted of long walks around the lake, steamy bowls of soup and Spotted Cows, ice skating followed by evening naps and long drawn out dinners. We spent Sunday morning getting pampered at the Kohler Waters Spa. I typically spend most of the winter season indoors avoiding the actual weather that comes with winter, but it felt so refreshing to change settings for a bit, get outdoors and explore a new place.
For Chicago folks who want to visit, the Village of Kohler is located on 419 Highland Drive in Kohler, Wisconsin about two hours north of Chicago and one hour north of Milwaukee.
photo credit kate zitzer
advice | curing the winter blues
Let’s be honest – January is depressing. It’s really cold and the snow just won’t quit. I miss the sunshine. I miss swimming in the lake and taking long walks. I miss wearing sandals. I miss fresh pineapple and juicy watermelon. I miss iced coffee. Do you feel this way too? It’s easy to feel a little grumpy and out of it during this time of year so how can we fight the winter blues? Here are a few of my favorite cures –
- Getting organized. Give yourself a fresh start and clean out all the stuff you don’t need or use anymore.
- Going somewhere new every week or weekend. Take photos or sketch your surroundings. The feeling you get when you’re in a new and inspiring place is unmatched by any other.
- Surrounding yourself with your favorite things. Wear your favorite sweater, drink coffee out of your favorite mug, burn your favorite candle, buy fresh flowers, read a good book or spend some quality time with the people you love.
- Blasting some feel good tunes. Load up a playlist with your favorite songs and turn the volume up loud. It’s a great way to get motivated when you just can’t seem to get inspired.
- Taking a class or attending a workshop. What about a painting class at your favorite art museum, a cooking course at your favorite restaurant or a creative workshop at your favorite shop?
- Stop playing the waiting game and anchor yourself in the present. The holidays have past and the novelty of a fresh new year has worn off so we start counting the days until Valentine’s Day or Spring Break or just warmer days. Pause for a moment and be present.
- Exercising, taking long hot baths and getting enough sleep can also do wonders!
I already feel better even though its 10 degrees and snowing right now and it will be -2 degrees tonight. How do you survive the winter?
goodbye sweet home
Big changes are happening over here – we sold our condo in the city and moved to the suburbs! It happened a few weeks ago but I didn’t want to share anything about it until after we closed and the deal was done. I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason and this condo was truly meant for us – In January 2010 after renting for over a year Marc and I decided it was time to buy our first place. Our realtor showed us dozens of condos all over Chicago. The whole process was a real roller coaster ride for us. We went under contract on a two bedroom condo in the River West neighborhood and were scheduled to close in 30 days. A week before our closing we found out our mortgage company would not be able to secure a mortgage for us because the building was not 50% owner occupied and we had to walk away from the deal. We were devastated. A few days later we went out with our realtor again and saw 15 new condos. This time we saw a two bedroom plus den condo also in River West with a large kitchen, a gigantic walk in master closet, in unit washer and dryer, indoor heated parking and it had recently dropped into our price range. We quickly put in an offer and within 24 hours we were under contract. We closed a few weeks later and moved in right away. There were a few quirks in the beginning – the carpet needed to be replaced, the walls needed to be painted and the fireplace had to be changed but we loved it. Over the last three and a half years we really made this place our home.
Before we said our final goodbye I wanted to celebrate some of the little things –
- the fireplace – It was our first major home project. When we moved in, it was bulky, covered in black granite and I hated it. Fortunately there was some potential and we came up with a plan. We removed the black granite and replaced it with a modern white mantle and glass surround. It turned out to be one of my favorite things in our condo and I had it on every night from October through March.
- my studio – I discovered myself as a true artist here. I needed this space to create and grow and dream bigger than I ever have before. I loved this room, and I will miss it.
- our master closet – It was the size of a small bedroom and it stored all of our stuff. I have a feeling I’ll never have a closet this size ever again.
- our dining room – The place where our friends and family gathered. We hosted dozens of parties and sat here eating and drinking for hours. It was small but it was cozy, and it holds a lot of good memories. See here, here and here.
Saying goodbye was not as hard as I thought it would be. Maybe it was because I didn’t have time to dwell on it or maybe it was knowing we wouldn’t be too far away. At first I didn’t want to sell. The timing didn’t feel right to me, but I’m not sure it ever would have. Then slowly things started to fall into place. Marc and I started talking about buying a house in the suburbs at the beginning of the summer. We went out with our realtor the last weekend in September and saw some potential to buy. Our realtor convinced us to put our condo on the market. We listed it early on a Thursday morning. We had two showings and two offers Thursday night. Then on Friday we had another showing and received another offer. We were under contract just 36 hours after listing. It was surreal. In the meantime we saw a house we were really excited about in our desired neighborhood and made an offer. It was ignored. After going under contract on our condo we revised our original offer removing the home sale contingency and raising our initial offer. It was not accepted and a few weeks later the sellers accepted a different offer. So right now we are temporarily living with my sister until we find a home. We continue to search everyday. We are familiar with how tumultuous the home buying process can be and are committed to being patient. If I learned anything from our previous experience, it’s that everything happens for a reason. We have no idea where we will end up or when but I know it will be the right place for us.
It was sad to pack up our condo and our life in the city. Knowing we only had a few weeks left in Chicago had us grasping to do everything we could – spend time with friends, visit our favorite places and eat at our favorite restaurants. I’m so grateful for the time I spent here. There’s so much opportunity, energy, creativity, and hustle in this city. There is no denying that there is a part of me that will always crave those bright lights. It’s hard to believe it has all come this quickly, but I truly feel ready for our next adventure.
photo credit kate zitzer
