Tallulah – Lincoln Square – Sarah Lawrence

4539 N. Lincoln – www.tallulahchicago.com

One of the great things about Chicago summers is eating out for brunch on the weekends. Tallulah just started serving brunch recently (they used to only serve dinner). This Lincoln Square restaurant pairs together interesting combinations to create delicious brunch dishes. The two entrees that I tried were the lobster eggs benedict and the braised rabbit skillet. Both were delicious, and not a morsel was left on the plate.
The service was wonderful, and the ambience sheik and inviting. They offer seating on an indoor/outdoor patio out back, which I highly recommend. Brunch will run you about $15/person and is well worth it.

The neighborhood: Lincoln Square. It’s boundaries are Foster to the north, Montrose to the south, Damen to the east, and the Chicago River to the west.

This is a wonderful area that’s comprised of both single family homes as well as condos. There are currently about 130 active condo listings ranging from $135k to $600k with the median being a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom home priced around $400k. There are currently about 40 single family homes on the market, ranging from $300k to $1.7M, with the median home priced around $750k.

Spacca Napoli – Ravenswood – Ryan Gossett

1769 W Sunnyside Ave – 773-878-2420 – www.spaccanapolipizzeria.com

Don’t miss this Ravenswood Italian Pizzeria offering a simple menu of light and airy pizza’s, tasty salads, and affordable yet delicious Italian wines.  Situated in the Ravenswood area of Lincoln Square, the location of Spacca Napoli has a very calm and inviting neighborhood feel.  The inside of the restaurant is tastefully designed with an open air space leaving the kitchen exposed to the dining room, allowing the aroma from the oven to tease your appetite.

With about a dozen Antipasti and Pizza choices the menu is easy to follow and the food is all delicious.  The dining room easily accommodates groups of all sizes, but as usual, the larger the group, the longer the wait.  All of the food items are very affordable ranging from $7 – $15 and wines in the $20 – $40 range making this a comfortable and inexpensive place to enjoy the company of your better half or a group of friends.  If you are one of the many Chicagoans who rely on public transportation, Spacca Napoli is easily reached by taking the Brown Line to the Montrose stop and walking west to Ravenswood, then South to Sunnyside.  Look to the west and you will see your destination.  Total walk time from the train will be less than 5 minutes.

Every wonder which way is up when you hear about one of the Chicago neighborhoods with “Ravenswood” in the name?  Well this one is simply “Ravenswood”.  Its boundaries are officially, Foster to the North, Montrose to the South, Leavitt to the West, and Clark to the East.  It is a beautiful community that is both family friendly and great for singles as well.  Getting to work is easy by both CTA and Metra.  Housing is comprised of a healthy blend of single family homes, condos, townhomes, and apartments.  Right now there are about 50 single family homes on the market priced from $300k to $3.3M with a median price of $870k.  The condo market is offering 150 active listings priced from $135k to $615k with the median condo being a 2 bed, 2 bath home priced at $299k.

Tapas Las Ramblas – Andersonville – Sarah Lawrence

5101 N. Clark
773.769.9700
http://www.tapaslasramblas.com/

This wonderful tapas restaurant is brought to you by a former partner of Twist. After studying in Spain for a summer in college, I become intimately familiar with good tapas-style eating. While there are many tapas options in the city, I found Twist (in Lakeview/Wrigleyville) to be my all time favorite for its quality, price, and ambience. A friend who lives in Andersonville turned me onto Tapas Las Ramblas, and now it’s right there up there on my list of favorite tapas spots.

Tapas Las Ramblas has a menu with wide variety. Some favorites among my group of 4 included: baked goat cheese, grilled vegetables, bacon wrapped dates, and grilled lamb chops. We finished the meal with the carmelized banana and ice cream, which was heavenly.

This restaurant has it all – it sits amid the hot Andersonville strip, has a fun and inviting atmosphere, is a great value, has great service, and serves consistently delicious fare. You can expect to pay about $25 – $30 a person with alcohol.

The neighborhood: Andersonville, an old Scandinavian neighborhood, lies just north of Uptown.  Its borders are loosely defined by Lawrence Avenue on the south, Peterson on the north, Broadway on the east, and Damen on the west.

Andersonville is comprised of restaurants, boutique shopping, bars and both walk-up condos and single family homes.

There are currently 65 2 bedroom/2 bath units on the market that range from $229k to $479k, with the average being $350k.

There are currently 47 single family homes on the market that range from $449k to $2M, with the average being $700k.

Mixteco Grill – Ravenswood – Ryan Gossett

1601 W Montrose

773-868-1601

http://chicago.menupages.com/restaurantdetails?restaurantid=52995

Excellent, creative, and affordable Mexican food! Mixteco Grill, while packed every weekend, is still undiscovered in my opinion. They have recently expanded into the space next door to accommodate the drones of people that flock there every weekend, but I am afraid the word is continuing to spread.

We have been there three times now and the food is phenomenal. It would be great to have some Margaritas with the food, but the current BYO policy certainly makes this place a great value. From what our server told us, most of the folks in the kitchen have spent some time working for Rick Bayless, so that certainly explains the quality of the food.

The appetizers range from $6 to $8 and we normally get pretty full on 3-5. My favorites are the Tacos Ensenada, Uchepos Gratinados, and the Trio De Empanadas. I have had the Cochinita Pibil, slow roasted pork with an amazing orange sauce, from the entrée list, and it was also amazing.

The only negative is the interior, which appears to still be under construction, but quality of the food and service will leave you very pleased and excited to watch the ongoing development of the establishment.

If you are interested in living on the border of Ravenswood, Uptown, and Lakeview, within .5 miles of Mixteco, there is virtually everything available from size, style, quality, price, etc. For 1 bedroom condos, there are 34 available, ranging from $150k to $280k. For 2 and 3 bedroom condos, there are 188 on the market, ranging from $165k to $800k. If you are interested in single family homes, there are 46 available ranging from $390k to $2.5M.

Five Guys Burgers & Fries – Lincoln Park – Ryan Gossett

2140 N Clybourn

773-327-5953

http://www.fiveguys.com/index.aspx

This is my new “Fast Food” burger joint. Don’t be discouraged by the fact that this eatery is located on one of the busiest weekend streets in Chicago, it is well worth the headache. I did find that entering the neighborhood from the East on Webster and parking between Racine and Lakewood was pretty open.

If you enjoy a simple burger and fries experience, this is the place. I dare say it is better than In and Out. The burgers are available in a single or double patty version and the fries are fresh cut on the spot. Served in a brown paper bag, there is nothing fancy about the presentation, but the product is delicious. My wife and I each had a “Little Burger” which is the single patty and split a regular fry. Trust me, this is plenty of food and will cost you about $16 w/ drinks.

The Lincoln Park location is a bit small, so seating is at a premium on a Saturday afternoon. Whether you are looking to cure a hangover, or just need your weekly burger fix, give Five Guys a shot.

If you would prefer to walk to Five Guys and hundreds of other restaurants and retail outlets on the Clybourn strip, there are plenty of Real Estate options in the area. If you are into lofts, this area is rich with loft options, along with small and large condo buildings, townhome developments, and beautifully single family homes.

There are 17 one bedroom condos on the market between $190k and $412k. For 2 and 3 bedroom condos, you will have 142 to choose from, ranging from $265k to $1.4M.

This area is also known for its large concentration of single family homes, and there are currently 82 on the market within .5 miles of Five Guys. They range in price from $385k to $4.2M. I happen to be in love with the listing priced at $4.2M, which is an Urban Country Estate on 3 city lots.

The Bristol – Bucktown – by Sarah Lawrence

The Bristol

2152 N. Damen

773.862.5555

www.thebristolchicago.com

This is a new Bucktown gastropub is a restaurant that caters to just about everyone. They specialize in small plates, so it’s best to go share and try as many different dishes as possible. My group of 6 had just about everything on the menu, and every single item was delicious. Some of the group favorites were: duck fat fries, chorizo-stuffed chicken wings, monkey bread, grilled skirt steak with blue cheese ravioli. Check out the chalkboard for fresh, daily changing specials. Their drink and wine selections are also impressive.

The ambience is casual, warm, and inviting – a small space with exposed brick. Although the prices are reasonable (if you share and order tapas style), the wait staff makes you feel as if you’re in a high-end restaurant. They’re quite knowledgeable and will help lead you through the unique menu, helping with both top selections as well as appropriate quantity for your table.

I would say that the one downside is that they do not take reservations, and you can expect a pretty good wait on a weekend night (~2 hours). My recommendation would be to go early to avoid a wait, or sit up at the upstairs bar to have a couple of drinks to pass the time.

You can expect to pay about $50/person with alcohol.

The neighborhood: Bucktown is generally located north of North Avenue, south of Fullerton, west of Ashland and East of Western. Bucktown is a well-established neighborhood that’s surrounded by trendy restaurants, bars, and boutique shopping.

The area is comprised mostly of walk-ups, lofts converted from old warehouses, and single family homes, many of which are new or newly-rehabbed buildings.

There are currently 60 2 bedroom/2 bath units on the market that range from $229k to $700k, with the average being $400k – $450k.

There are currently 82 single family homes on the market that range from $359k to $3.2M, with the average being $900k – $1M.

Baby Wants Candy – Apollo Theatre, Lincoln Park by Ryan Gossett

Great performance! This is the best $15 I have spent in a while. In these challenging times, there is still a great way to get some good entertainment for under $20. Having only been to a dozen or so Improvisational Comedy performances, I can’t say I am always excited about the experience, but this was great. Someone in the crowd gives out a title for a Rock Opera, and the crew takes it from there. They had a 4 piece rock band that played the backdrop and the troop took it from there. I was a bit nervous when someone shouted “Grandma’s Basement”, thinking it sounded a little, well, not funny, but it was truly hilarious. Additionally, the performance is exactly 1 hour long, which is the perfect amount of time for me and my short attention span.

The venue is The Apollo Theatre located at 2540 N Lincoln, just south of the El Tracks. The performance is offered every Monday at 8pm and Friday at 10:30pm. I would plan on getting there about 20-30 minutes early. Alcohol is available for purchase prior to the show, and double fisting is permitted. For more information visit www.apollochicago.com and www.babywantscandy.com. Enjoy!

If you are interested in Real Estate within ~.5 miles of The Apollo, here is the current breakdown of homes on the market:

42 1 Bed / 1 Bath Condos – $175k – $412k

120 2 Bed / 2 Bath Condos – $229k – $800k

147 3+ Bed / 2+Bath Condos – $363k – $3M

104 Single Family Homes – $405k – $6.2M

Hot Chocolate – Bucktown – by Sarah Lawrence

Hot Chocolate - 1747 N. Damen 773.489.1747 www.hotchocolatechicago.com

Don’t be fooled by the name! While this venue is known for its AMAZING desserts, it also offers delicious American Contemporary type food. We ordered the cheese plate (which I highly recommend), the pork loin entrée, wine, and Chocolate #1 for dessert . All were great options, and we were floored by the quality of the food. I would definitely recommend reservations as it tends to get easily crowded. On the same note, be prepared to take your time while eating as the wait staff is usually swamped. You can expect to pay about $40-$50/person, with alcohol

Check out more about Hot Chocolate here: http://www.zagat.com/Verticals/PropertyDetails.aspx?VID=8&R=96724

The neighborhood: Bucktown is generally located north of North Avenue, south of Fullerton, west of Ashland and East of Western. Bucktown is a well-established neighborhood that’s surrounded by trendy restaurants, bars, and boutique shopping.

The area is comprised mostly of walk-ups, lofts converted from old warehouses, and single family homes, many of which are new or newly-rehabbed buildings.

There are currently 60 2 bedroom/2 bath units on the market that range from $229k to $700k, with the average being $400k – $450k.

There are currently 82 single family homes on the market that range from $359k to $3.2M, with the average being $900k – $1M.

Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar (Roscoe Village)

3358 N Paulina St

(773) 248-5222

www.frascapizzeria.com

 

One Word: Staple – This wonderfully decorated, vibrant space is in a great location, serves good/great food, has outdoor seating when the weather agrees, and the service is friendly and unpretentious. 

 

While Wood Fired (I Think) Specialty Pizza’s are the specialty, there are also a variety of Oven Baked Pasta and Meat dishes to choose from, though I must admit I have not tried any of them.  Having been there three times in the last two months, I have been most attracted to the “Sushi Menu” style “Farmer’s Table Menu” which offers an assortment of Italian Cheeses, Meats, and Bruschetta, followed by one of the Pizza’s. 

 

If you are ordering for two, I definitely recommend sharing an appetizer or the “Farmers Table”, 4 item option followed by one of the specialty pies.  This last visit I tried designing my own pizza, and it just didn’t work out.  The crust for the pizza is a predominant reason for its success.  It isn’t cracker thin, but comes out nice an crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle, just the way I like it.  My favorite pizzas I have tried so far are the Capone and Rustica.  I didn’t care for the Prosciutto Pizza.  We have been eating a ton of Arugula lately, but it just didn’t work on this pie.

 

The environment is very well designed and diners can feel comfortable showing up dressed anywhere from casual to semi dressy.  It is truly and great “Neighborhood” place and appears to cater well to families and the kidless.  It didn’t appear to be a great single’s place, not that I know what one would look like, but I was out of there before 10pm on all three visits.

 

The wine list is well done, featuring mostly Italian wines, which may cause some people to need a little guidance from the server.  The prices on the list seem to be very reasonable.  All in, for dinner and a bottle of wine, a couple can expect to get out for around $80 to $100 in most cases.

 

The Neighborhood: Roscoe Village, part of the larger North Center, is still one of my favorite neighborhoods.  There are a lot of Single Family Homes and Intimate Condo Buildings that provide for that “Neighborhood” feel.  Lincoln and Roscoe offer a ton of great Retail and Dining options, along with easy access to Lakeview and Lincoln Square. Prices have remained steady with some gradual appreciation over the last few years, allowing it to outperform some of its neighboring hoods.

Single Family Homes – 152 on the market ranging from $250k – $2.7M.  $750k – $1M being the avg. range.

Condos – 242 on the market ranging from $80k – $880k.  $350k – $450k being the avg. range.

Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (North Center)

3905 N. Lincoln Ave.

773-248-3905

Mrs. Murphy and Sons is simply okay.  If you are looking for Irish Pub Food, but don’t feel like going to a loud pub, then this is the place.  While the food is good, it isn’t great.  It isn’t much different than food you would get at a number of Irish Pubs in the city; it is just plated a little better.  I thought the food was a bit over priced (10% – 20%) and the wine was definitely overpriced.  I consider a 2.5 – 3 times mark up on wines reasonable, and they are definitely marking their wines up 3 – 3.5 times, which would be normal in River North or Streeterville, but is inappropriate in the North Center Neighborhood.  This is definitely a mature alternative to Fado, but the food is simply mediocre.

If you have read some of my previous posts, you know that I love the neighborhood.  North Center is beautiful place to live, filled with beautiful homes and condo buildings, and a very tollerable population density.  Located north of Diversey, south of Montrose, west of Ravenswood, and East of the Chicago River, North Center is adjacent to some very lively Chicago Neighborhoods such as Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park, and is a reasonable distance from the lake.  Housing in the neighborhood is a good mix of single family homes, 3 and 6 flats, and has enough 14 – 40 unit buildings to offer some condos at lower prices without putting thousands of people on one block.  For those buyers in the $300k range, choices are limited, but available.  North Center is, and will continue to be, a great destination for 20 and 30 somethings that outgrow Lakeview and also a great alternative for young couples with Children that want to raise their families in the City.