CHICAGO
Go Shop View archives
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Penelope’s
Hip gear sans hipster attitude is the calling card of this friendly boutique along West Town’s Division Street retail stretch. Funky sweaters and jersey dresses for her, crisp oxford and chambray shirts for him, and plenty of fashionable accessories for both. (9/2011)
1913 W Division St
773-395-2351
penelopeschicago.com -
Building Blocks
Video games are great and all, but this classic toy store stocks the sort of wooden toys, board games and puzzles that never go out of style. Even the most tech-savvy kid can’t resist an erector set or, better yet, a wood block version of the Angry Birds smartphone app. (9/2011)
3306 N Lincoln Ave
773-525-6200
buildingblockstoys.com -
Lori’s Shoes
Footwear fanatics swear by this Lincoln Park emporium, known for stocking designer shoes up to 30% off department store prices. Whether the goal is trendy, classic or expensive Italian, this shop carries everything you could ever want. (Consider yourself warned.) (9/2011)
824 W Armitage Ave
773-281-5655
lorisshoes.com
Go See View archives
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In the Next Room
In the highlight of this venerable North Side theater’s 2011/2012 season, playwright Sarah Ruhl—a Wilmette, Illinois native—brings her 2010 Tony Award-nominated Victorianera sex comedy to the Chicago stage for the first time. The play uses the early history of women’s sexual devices to explore themes of motherhood and female empowerment. Sept. 9 to Oct. 9. (9/2011)
At Victory Gardens Theater 2433 N Lincoln Ave
773-549-5788
victorygardens.org -
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
Get to know the nation’s thirdlargest city by exploring the historical treasure trove at this impeccably curated civic museum. Highlights include dioramas that detail Chicago’s growth from swamp to megalopolis, and an exhibit that uses multimedia to explore the mysteries of its bustling Chinatown neighborhood. (9/2011)
1601 N Clark St
312-642-4600
www.chicagohistory.org -
German Day Festival
Grab an enormous pint of pilsner, don some lederhosen, and join the proud masses paying tribute to Deutschland and its people in Lincoln Square, Chicago’s most authentically German ‘hood. Don’t miss the 46th annual Von Steuben Parade, the cultural pageant famously captured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Sept. 9-11. (9/2011)
At Lincoln, Leland, and Western aves
630-653-3018
germanday.com -
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
In its five years, this oncemodest South Side gathering has blossomed into a must-attend event for jazz lovers. Bounce around the neighborhood to catch free programs, like the Brazilian group Bossa Tres at Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House, and almost 6 hours of free music on the stretch of parkland that once hosted the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. Sept. 24-25. (9/2011)
Various locations throughout the Hyde Park neighborhood
773-324-8614
hydeparkjazzfestival.org -
Taste of Greece
The West Loop is the epicenter of Chicago’s sizeable Greek population, and every summer, this tight-knit enclave rolls out the welcome mat to share customary grilled lamb and octopus, flaky pastries and two stages presenting traditional Greek music and dance. Aug. 27-28, from noon to 11pm. (9/2011)
100-400 S Halsted St
847-509-8050
greektownchicago.org -
Ravinia Festival
Every summer, picnic baskets in hand, Chicagoans flock to the lawn portion of the Martin Theatre and Bennett Gordon Hall in the north suburbs to listen to everything from classical music to rock and country acts under the stars. This month's highlights include Lyle Lovett (Aug. 21) and Gipsy Kings (Aug. 25). (9/2011)
418 Sheridan Rd, Highland Park
847-266-5100
ravinia.org
Go Eat View archives
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GT Fish & Oyster
The ivory-paneled Cape Cod design aesthetic is spot-on—as are the elevated interpretations of classic sea shack dishes that include a lobster roll overflowing with savory meat and clam chowder bursting with rich, bacon-y flavor. Steer the ship towards the pasta dishes too, or one of the 6 different oyster varieties. $$$$ (9/2011)
531 N Wells St
312-929-3501
gtfishandoy...rdpress.com -
Bakin’ and Eggs
It’s tough to breathe new life into breakfast, but this boisterous Lake View spot does just that with its savory “bacon flight” and decadent banana pecan bread French toast. While waiting for a table, snag some self-serve coffee and snack on a few housemade mini muffins. $ (9/2011)
3120 N Lincoln Ave
773-525-7005
bakinandeggschicago.com -
Sunda
Fresh modern Pan-Asian cuisine refuses to cede the spotlight at this always-packed scenester hangout. Try the crab-crusted ahi tuna or the seared Kobe beef tartare and settle in for an evening of people-watching. $$$ (9/2011)
110 W Illinois St
312-644-0500
sundachicago.com
Go Party View archives
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The Bedford
If you’ve ever wanted to drink in a former vault, this new lounge and eatery housed in the basement of a landmark, 1930s-built bank is your money ticket. This gilded, dimly lit space provides a unique backdrop for sipping handcrafted cocktails like the Hendrick’s gin-infused Cucumber Cooler. (9/2011)
1612 W Division St
773-235-8800
bedfordchicago.com -
The Matchbox
Its tagline—Chicago’s most intimate bar—refers to its intimate size of only 460-square feet: good luck squeezing through the three-foot wide space to get to the bathrooms. But there’s no denying the charm of this dive-y River West institution, with its stellar whiskey list and crowd that’s equal parts blue and white collar. (9/2011)
770 N Milwaukee Ave
312-666-9292
thesilverpa...taurant.com -
Lux Bar
This elegant, multi-level bar is as close as it gets for Gold Coasters seeking a neighborhood saloon where everyone knows their name. The wellheeled crowd is equally comfortable watching the Cubs or Sox game on the 16 LED flat screens downstairs, or dancing to DJs spinning in the upstairs lounge. (9/2011)
18 E Bellevue Pl
312-642-3400
luxbar.com
Fun Fact!
The NFL’s Chicago Bears
were originally the “Decatur
Staleys”—a food starch
company team in downstate
Illinois. They relocated to
Chicago in 1921 where they
were renamed the "Chicago
Staleys," and finally the
"Chicago Bears."
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