FOR A CAFE WITH COMMUNITY
LULA CAFE

"Lula Cafe is my favorite restaurant on earth. I've been eating there since 1999 and it somehow gets better every year - and more vital. The focus on local, seasonal food is complemented by a curated art program, a real connection to the community, and the best staff in town. It's the perfect restaurant whether you want to read a book at the bar or celebrate a birthday with friends."

2537 N KEDZIE BIVD, CHICAGO, IL 60647

FOR A PASTRY PICK-ME-UP
LOBA PASTRY

"Valeria Taylor is making some of the most inventive and delicious pastries in Chicago. She recently moved her beloved bakery and coffee shop into a beautiful new space designed by Chicago's Counterpart Studio. The warm, modern space is the perfect backdrop for her pastries which, like the space itself, are often inspired by her native Mexico. No better place to start your day than with one of her mole croissants or pineapple sourdough muffins."

3600 N LINCOLN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60613

FOR HOT DOGS OFF THE HOOD OF YOUR CAR
GENE AND JUDE'S

"Technically a few blocks outside of the city, but worth breaking the rules for these hot dogs. Gene and Jude's serves "depression dogs", a minimalist variation on the Chicago dog that pares back the usual condiments (which of course excludes ketchup, which is actually barred from the premises here and topped with a pile of skin-on fries (possibly the best fries in Chicagoland). Since they have no seating, you must do what everyone does: hang out in the parking lot eating your hot dog off the hood of your car."

2720 N RIVER RD, RIVER GROVE, IL 60171

FOR A CLASSIC TREAT
OLD FASHIONED DONUTS

"None of the innovations in donuts in recent decades have improved them in any way, so I like to stick to the classics. Old Fashioned Donuts is about as classic as it gets. Mr. B (Burritt Bulloch) has been frying donuts in the window of his shop on the far south side of Chicago for over 5O years. And all of that practice has lead to perfection. The apple fritters are a stand-out and famous for good reason. In nice weather I like to pick up donuts and eat them lakefront at Steelworkers Park."

11248 S MICHIGAN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60628

FOR GLAMOUR AND CAMP
THE ITALIAN VILLAGE

"The Italian Village is about to turn 100 years old and its age shows - in the best way. My grandparents went on dates here in the 1930's and as a child I thought this place was the epitome of glamour thanks to the tuxedoed servers, white tablecloths, and the campy restaurant design intended to transport you to a village in Italy.

Thankfully, not much has changed and It is still a treat to be enjoying Italian-American classics in this perfect dining room."

71 W MONROE SI, CHICAGO, 11 60603