John Hancock Observatory
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Streeterville

875 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

elizabeth n. writes: For the best view in Chicago, the Hancock building is the place to go but I would NOT recommend going to the Observatory. If you wnat to go to the Hancock building- my suggestion to you is to go to the Signature Lounge, it is one floor above the…

Kow Kow Restaurant

6755 N Cicero Ave
Lincolnwood, IL 60712

Giselle S. writes: I always came here and wanted to dig into my egg roll, but found that I would burn my tongue after taking the first bite.  So now I have acquired a new tactic to eating these wonderful morsels.  

How to eat famous egg rolls: ( taken from good friend,…

Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Neighborhood: Near North Side

600 E Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60611

Scott K. writes: Chicago Shakespeare Theater is one of the best things about Chicago.  It certainly redeems Navy Pier, and it's a beautiful setting for some superb theater.  I've seen quite a few plays there now, and I've been disappointed only by one, and even that…

Intelligentsia Coffee and Tea
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3123 N Broadway
Chicago, IL 60657

Ed to the M. writes: Intelligentsia is a chain, n'est pas?

A couple things I've noted while visiting the Windy City of Chicago (as a side note, it's not that windy.  In fact, if it were up to me, it'd be called the humid, sticky, rainy City of Chicago).  

One:  god…

Athenian Room
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

807 W Webster Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

John B. writes: Because of the difference between where I live and where it lives, I don't visit the Athenian Room nearly often enough. And that's a tragedy. The menu is simple, but everything they do, they do well. The gyros are some of the best in the city. The…

Pick-Staiger Concert Hall

Northwestern University
50 Arts Circle Dr
Evanston, IL 60208

Midori G. writes: Jeff Tweedy solo. 5th row center. Perfect acoustics. This was a great concert, but pretty much every one I've ever been to here has been. It's a place that really celebrates the beauty of live music.

Dee's Mandarin Restaurant
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

1114 W Armitage Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

Andrea R. writes: There are 3 things I miss ever since I moved from Florida to Chicago- the sun, a good deli, and good Chinese food. I've tried many different Chinese restaurants, and haven't had much luck finding a good one, although I've settled for Yen's.  

This…

Tony's Italian Deli
Neighborhood: Edison Park

6708 N Northwest Hwy
Chicago, IL 60631

carolynne r. writes: Very pleased with this little deli in Edison Park.  I love the fresh breads, the frozen handmade pastas, the reasonably priced groceries such as tomato paste and olive oil.  Cheese selection is decent for such a small refrigerator case.  But the BEST…

Avec
Neighborhood: Near West Side

615 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60661

Brett D. writes: The disappearing screen monster strikes again (damn you!!). About 25 minutes ago this screen was a clever, detailed and funny review on Avec and my love/hate relationship with my experience there. Unfortunately, I somehow managed to accidentally push…

Chicago History Museum
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Old Town

1601 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60614

Niki C. writes: Useful = Monday admissions are free, as my parents & I discovered when we sauntered in this week.

Funny = Well, I don't want to sound like I'm poking fun, but the little volunteer lady at the quilt exhibit was an absolute peach.  She was a delight…

Great Sea Chinese Restaurant
Neighborhood: Albany Park

3254 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Mark S. writes: Jesus H Christ those little sweet and spicy drummette wings are addictive!  If anybody, anywhere, can produce such a tasty treat with the meat all neatly jammed to one end of the bone I'll knock this review down to 4 stars.  Until then- 5 stars.

The Pleasure Chest
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3436 N Lincoln
Chicago, IL 60657

Colleen C. writes: Alright, so I'll be straight with y'all...I'm no prude, but Lover's Lane generally makes me want to vomit. I'm not into cheesy crappola, especially when it comes to....these type of activities.

Having said that, Pleasure Chest certainly hits a…

Brew & View At the Vic
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3145 N Sheffield Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Amy H. writes: Fun, fun, fun!  If they are showing a movie here that you really want to see, make sure you see it someplace else before it's at the Brew and View.  The cheap beer and loose atmosphere makes for some interesting commentary on the movies, which is…

Trattoria No. 10
Neighborhood: The Loop

10 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60602

Michael S. writes: My brief time here last evening just reinforced a couple things I frequently tell my children and students: "Job placement isn't random," and "in this country, now, class divides on education, not money."

I had 30 minutes to kill before my evening…

Pickwick Theater

5 S Prospect Ave
Park Ridge, IL 60068

Justine -. writes: It's $5 per flick at the Pickwick. Don't expect to movie hop here.  

Make sure the movie you want to see is playing at the Main Auditorium Theater.  If you are serious about sightseeing or architecture, The Art Deco style theater is definitely worth…

Bistro Campagne
Neighborhood: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

4518 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60625

Rupert V. writes: One of my favorite french bistros.

The chef is an organic and local food nut, which comes through in his cooking. Everything on the menu is ultra fresh, seasonal, and free of that hormone/pesticide/herbici de flavor! The frites part of the steak…

Salt & Pepper Diner
Neighborhood: Lincoln Park, DePaul

2575 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60614

G S. writes: Rolled up in here the other day after a SERIOUS night of boozing.  And when I say SERIOUS - I am so UNDERSTATING it!  Trust me :).

This place isn't really anywhere close to where I live but, having been invited by the finest lady friend yet, well -…

Southport Lanes & Billiards
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3325 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657

Ali R. writes: Bowling, Drinking, Pool Tables, Drinking, and other fun games all in one place? Hooray! I'm there!

Came here on one of our many bar stops on St. Patty's day. Boo to the asshole bouncer, there was TONS of room inside, yet me, a Californian had to…

Cat Hospital of Chicago
Neighborhood: Irving Park

2851 W Irving Park Rd
Chicago, IL 60618

Nicoletta R. writes: This is the best practice I've come across in Chicago by a LONG shot. I've been taking my cats to veterinarians for more than half my life, and the level of attention and care given to cats here is superb. The exam rooms are comfortably small and…

The Tasting Room at Randolph Wine Cellars
Neighborhood: Near West Side

1415 W Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607

Andrea R. writes: Why hello Tasting Room! Where have you been all my life? Ended up here with a friend last night after a delicious meal at Red Light and I will never again eat on Randolph Street (which I tend to do often) without stopping for some wine at The Tasting…

Moksha Yoga
Neighborhood: Noble Square, River West

700 N Carpenter St
Chicago, IL 60622

Amme H. writes: As an Ashtanga yogi, it wasn't what I would normally go for in a class.  However, the instructor MIchael clearly knew what he was doing.  You could tell that he was not just "winging it" and making up as he went along.  I left feeling much better…

Toast Two
Neighborhood: Bucktown

2046 N Damen Ave
Chicago, IL 60647

Dunzo S. writes: I'm going to go against the grain here and voice my disapproval of Toast.  Go figure.

I can see why people might get saucer eyed and fall in love with the heaping piles of fruits and sugar and breads that equal breakfast here.  It looks delicious and…

For Dogs Sake
Neighborhood: Humboldt Park

1757 N. Kimball
Chicago, IL 60647

Debbie M. writes: I used to go to this place when it was first on the NORTH side of North Ave.  The owner Marsha was great.  Youd come in, she would spend time with you, get to know you and your pets, even would tell me of stories of her chasing dogs around good old…

Westin Chicago River North
Neighborhood: The Loop

320 N Dearborn St
Chicago, IL 60610

Anne d. writes: Another fine Westin property.  I especially enjoyed drinks at the bar where the bartenders surely found my group to be a bit boisterous...my girls from South Carolina and Georgia can be a bit out of hand.  I stayed here 3 years in a row during the…

Sports Park Driving Range & Adventure Golf

3459 Oakton St
Skokie, IL 60076

Keiko S. writes: A nice two-tier driving range that's clean and well maintained. Lit and heated, too. It a popular range, but I've never had a problem finding an open spot. I especially love the automated tees - no need to carry a hefty bucket of balls and manufally…

L Woods Tap & Pine Lodge

7110 N Lincoln Ave
Lincolnwood, IL 60712

carolynne r. writes: My hands are literally shaking as I write this.  

Let me preface this by saying that for a long time I had wanted to try L Woods but for one reason or another never got the chance.  Seemed like a nice, laid back joint with a nicely varied menu.

Now my…

L Isaacson & Stein Fish Co.
Neighborhood: Near West Side, Fulton Market

800 W Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607

Frankie J. writes: Yo' fish here!

If you like to cook, or you wanna cook things you have seen in the Shedd Aquarium, this is the place to go!  You pick it AND you bag it yourself (use the gloves, unless you want to explain to your wife/girlfriend why your hands smell…

Endy's Deli
Neighborhood: Avondale

3055 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60618

Nancy K. writes: The best Polish deli for miles.

Exchequer Restaurant & Pub
Neighborhood: The Loop

226 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60604

Dave M. writes: My wife and I went to Chicago for a honeymoon long weekend trip. We stayed at the Hilton (wonderful view) and were trying to come up with something interesting to do other than go to the Art Institute museum or Shedd's Aquarium (personal fav's to do…

Rosebud Steakhouse
Neighborhood: Near North Side, Streeterville

192 E Walton Pl
Chicago, IL 60611

Lauren L. writes: My far the best steakhouse I've ever eaten at. From the service to the ambiance to the food itself, everything was perfection. Granted it's really expensive but I was being wined and dined by family friends and I took full advantage of it.

I had the…

Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park

9351 Keeler Ave
Skokie, IL 60076

Eliezer A. writes: This trail is now connected to Chicago with an off-road path that goes as far south as Lawrence (at Francisco).

The Chicago piece starts at Lawrence and Francisco and crosses over Argyle. From that point on, the path avoids all almost traffic…

Nabo's
Neighborhood: Lakeview

3351 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL 60686

Jerry M. writes: I only come here for the soft serve ice cream - they have unique flavors like pistachio. I *heart* pistachio ice cream without the nuts!

Vogue Fabrics Inc

718 Main St.
Evanston, IL 60202

carolynne r. writes: This place always gets my business whenever I need anything, from fabric to upholstery supplies to pins.  They have the friggin best selection of GOOD QUALITY, STYLISH fabrics (not cheezy cheapy crap like Joann or Hancock offers) and their prices are…

Green Zebra
Neighborhood: Noble Square

1460 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60615

Millicent H. writes: This place almost gets five stars from me.  The food merits it.  It doesn't quite make it to five stars because I was in pain from hunger for most of my five course meal.  So let's get the negative out of the way: this is a Chicago restaurant that…

Lou Mitchell's Restaurant & Bakery
Neighborhood: Near West Side

565 W Jackson Blvd
Chicago, IL 60661

Ed U. writes: A little Nat if you please...
http://www.youtube.com...

"If you ever plan to motor west,
Travel my way - take the highway that's the best.
Get your kicks on Route Sixty-Six.
Well, it winds from Chicago to LA
Over two-thousand miles all the way.
Get your…

A & G Fresh Market

5630 W Belmont Ave
Chicago, IL 60634

Nancy K. writes: Deli has large selection.  Produce is hit and miss.  Over all, it is clean and reasonably priced.  Parking is free in the back -- and as said it is tight.

New Maxwell Street Market
Neighborhood: University Village

548 W Roosevelt Rd
Chicago, IL 60607

Audrey T. writes: I love this.  I love how no one I know is brave enough to go to this.  I love that it is near my house, and happens every week.  I love how you can find ANYTHING here from used hammers to bootleg rap shirts to weird-brand named soap to cactus…

Middle East Bakery & Grocery

1512 W Foster Ave
Chicago, IL 60640

Stephanie M. writes: Three words:

Spicy Baba Ghannouj

Three more:

Oh my God