Exploring South Loop
Morning
Start by grabbing coffee and an oreo cookie flapjack at The Bongo Room (
,
1152 S. Wabash Ave.
312 291 0100
). From there, walk through Grant Park to Museum Campus. Here you can choose between the
Field Museum
,
Adler Planetarium
, and
Shedd Aquarium
all within walking distance of each
other. If you plan to visit other museums on your trip, it makes sense
to purchase a City Pass . If you opt to see the highlights of each, end up at the Shedd, where the Soundings restaurant offers good food and great views overlooking the lake.
Afternoon
Hail a cab (plenty wait outside the museums) or walk to the nearby pedestrian bridge at 18th Street to get to the
Prairie Avenue District
, where you can stroll the historic streets and maybe even catch the 3pm tour of the Glessner House
(see Prairie Avenue District). If you’ve still got the energy, walk one block west to the fascinating National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum.
Evening
Head over to Wabash
Avenue for an early supper at one of the trendy eateries on what is now a
burgeoning strip. Mayor Richard Daley has been known to frequent
Gioco
for its stellar Italian fare (reservations are recommended). Ready for more? Then stay up late to hear the blues at
Buddy Guy’s Legends
.
Bars & Clubs
Buddy Guy’s Legends
Run by bluesman Buddy Guy, this club is arguably the city’s best. To get a table, come early and dine on decent barbecue.
Hothouse
Not-for-profit
Hothouse serves up a gumbo of music in art-filled digs. Acts range from
jazz to Afropop, with a smattering of poetry readings and performance
art.
M Lounge
Listen
to traditional and modern jazz in style on comfy couches and low-slung
seating in cranberry, chocolate, and sage. Stop by for live jazz on
Wednesdays.
The Velvet Lounge
Ignore
the threadbare decor; The Velvet Lounge offers some of the city’s best
jazz including jam sessions with the bar’s owner, a saxman himself.
67 E. Cermak Rd.
Cash only
Closed Mon
NetWorks
A popular gathering place, NetWorks airs news and sports on an array of TVs.
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
South Loop Club
This sports bar boasts a 70-inch TV screen, 10 different draft beers, and twice as many bottles, plus a full menu.
Bar Louie Taylor
One
of several popular Bar Louies in town, this Little Italy outpost plies
generous martinis (and great bar food) to a twenty-something crowd.
Bar Louie Taylor
Beviamo Wine Bar
This
dark, intimate Little Italy hideaway is a great place to cozy as a
couple before or after dinner with one of 40 by-the-glass wines, or a
“sampling flight” of three wines.
1358 W. Taylor St.
Free
Closed Sun
Vernon Park Tap
Also
known as Tu fano’s, this popular bar counts legions of local and
celebrity fans who pile in for house wine and generous, inexpensive
pastas.
1073 W. Vernon Park Pl
Free
Closed Mon
Hawkeye’s Bar & Grill
Try
this sports bar for beer-fueled camaraderie and a genuine slice of
Chicago fan zeal. A shuttle bus even delivers patrons to the United
Center and US Cellular Field.
1458 W. Taylor St.
Free
No DA
Diners, Hawkeye’s Bar & Grill
Unless otherwise specified bars and clubs charge admission, are open nightly, and have DA. |
|
Places to Eat
Phoenix
Phoenix attracts dim sum diners from near and far. Go early on weekends or prepare for long waits.
2131 S. Archer Ave.
312 328 0848
Phoenix
Opera
Trendsetter
Opera serves contemporized Chinese food in a former 1930s warehouse.
Don’t miss the five-spice squid and slow-braised pork.
1301 S. Wabash Ave.
312 461 0161
Closed lunch
Gioco
Rustic Italian food is the draw at this stylish restaurant and one-time speakeasy.
1312 S. Wabash Ave.
312 939 3870
Closed lunch Sat & Sun
Lao Szechuan
Located in the Chinatown Square shopping mall, this simple eaterie serves authentic Chinese Szechuan cuisine.
2172 S. Archer Ave.
312 326 5040
Chez Joel
A quaint French bistro in the heart of Little Italy charms fans with its sunny decor and fine classics like steak au poivre.
Pompei Bakery
A
top Little Italy lunch pick, Pompeii showcases a dozen varieties of
square, by-the-slice pizzas. Hot sandwiches and stuffed pastas round out
the offerings.
1531 W. Taylor St.
312 421 5179
No reservations
Francesca’s on Taylor
The
Little Italy branch of Wrigleyville’s Mia Francesca offers generous
portions of refined Italian cuisine at reasonable prices.
1400 W. Taylor St.
312 829 2828
Closed lunch Sat & Sun
Rosebud Cafe
Its Italian cooking isn’t daring but Rosebud’s convivial vibe is hard to resist. Long waits for tables are common.
1500 W. Taylor St.
312 942 1117
Closed lunch Sun
Chicago Firehouse
The menu at this former fire station is best at its most basic, including burgers and sandwiches.
1401 S. Michigan Ave
312 786 1401
Closed lunch Sat & Sun
Penang
Chicago’s only Malaysian restaurant. Ask your server to recommend the best dishes on the menu.
2201 S. Wentworth Ave
312 326 6888
