Go Shop View archives

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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