Chicago, Illinois – Bucktown/Wicker Park/Ukranian Village Posts

Try the omakase experience but everything else will suprise you too. Intimate double-storefront with lovely attention and care. Leave yourself to the identical twins Melvin and Carlo

Former Brothers + Sisters. All day cafe in Ukrainian Village. Smoked and cured meats from Underground Food Collective in Madison. Small producer cheeses. Herbaceous. Stunning design. Well edited. What more do you need?

Handmade truffles, caramels, marshmallows and sipping chocolates produced using carefully sourced ingredients. Wildflower honey instead of corn syrup. Cream from 500 cow herd.

Reclaiming and recycling American antique architectural artifacts and oddities salvaged from commercial, industrial and residential buildings.

Unexpectedly lovely, curated, design-focused shop with an fascinating mix of curiosities, fine art and design. “Celebrate the past, present and future.”

Tiny spot to enjoy flavorful Thai Street food. Lots of energy and fabulous spices.

Brandade, salt cod, pintxos, manchego, anchovies, jamon Serrano, cockles, mackrel… Inspired by the Basque region of Spain and the French countryside.

Latin influenced tasty items served all day; sure to fill you up. Full bar service specializing in Mezcal.

Overlooking the six corners of Damen, Milwaukee and North Avenues, The Robey is a repurpose of the art deco Northwest Tower. The 69 guestrooms all have commandting views of the skyline, elevataed trains and neighborhood. Book a room at “the point” for the move breathtaking views in Chicago. Cafe Robey and Up & Up for your eating and drinking needs. Outdoor terrace with tiny swmming pool is a unique and lovely amenity. Spectacular and understated.

Selected menswear from Denmark, German, France, Netherlands and UK, presented in minimal space.

Owned and operated by award-winning chef Mindy Segal. Edited high quality menus, but save room for dessert!

Food and music with a Jamaican twist. Loop location as well at 81 East Wacker Place.

Private and shared accommodations right off the Blue line; breakfast included. Cross between a hotel and hostel; modern and friendly.

Coffeebars located throughout the city serving freshly roasted coffee blends. All of the cafes feature striking design and light snacks.

Bright and modern space to enjoy some of Chicago’ s most interesting roasts or a cup.

Unique blends featured in simple, modern cafes. Serious about coffee.

Ice cream parlor since 1921 serving full menu of food and almost unlimited ice cream creations. Order a hot fudge sundae with cholocate chip ice cream, whipped, cream, nuts and a cherry, served in a giant shell. Nop-notch milkshakes, malts and sodas. Full candy counter stocked full of homemade chocolates; terrapins are a must. If you are hungty before your indulgence, chicken salad on whole wheat toast is solid choice.

Ever-changing selection of previously CDs, DVDs and Records. Witty t-shirts as well. Always buying. Flagship store.

One of the places in Chicago to enjoy pintos and a serious selection of cava. Serious about authentic Spanish foods.

Situated on a particularly quiet stretch of Elston Avenue just northwest of Logan Square in Avondale, is Parachute, a 40-seat discovery.  Vaguely described as American-Korean, cuisine is globally inspired. Marvel at the subtleties of flavors and textures that you likely have never experienced.

Scenic 2.7 mile elevated park built on abandoned railroad tracks. Cuts through Bucktown, Wicker Park and Humboldt Park. Bikers, strollers and walkers live together in harmony. Many access points to enter The 606.

Beautifully appointed dining room and bar serving interesting pastas and Italian foods. Interesting craft cocktail menu.

Perfectly roasted no-nonsense beans served in one size.

Yes, you might be lucky enough to capture this event, or better yet, participate in it. It moves all over town so the chances you will see it are slim… and only once a month! Celebrate your bike and explore neighborhoods of Chicago you never knew existed. Grab some Dew&JD and your favorite candy to share with this vibrant community. Plan to attend the last Friday of every month at Daley Plaza for an energy-charged ride. “Happy Friday!”

Recycled interior with a large selection of interesting clothing and accessories for men and women. Featuring many products made in USA. Interesting design and esthetic.

Stylish clothing and accessories for men and women in cheerful and modern Wicker Park boutique.

American bistro of 32-seats and an intimate and interesting interior of salvaged and repurposed goods. Well edited progressive menu of French techniques and Asian heritage with locally-sourced ingredients.

Wander through this lovely space along busy North Avenue and get lost amidst the candles, scents, flowers, plans and unique jewelry.

Locally produced and seasonal fruits and vegetables long before it became in vogue. Lovely contemporary space.

Old-school bar with live music in an area that needs less flat screens and more dive bars. No pretension and solid local bands.

Performance venue in an old wood frame house off North Avenue. Be sure to catch Devil in a Woodpile.

Experts in unusual publications, periodicals, zines and comics.

One of the Chicago’s largest selections of used bookstores. Music and poetry series. Perfect atmosphere and open late hours.

Since 1990, producing a huge number of original artistic productions annually, without public funding. Main Stage, Studio and Lounge and exuberantly done up in Vaudeville style.

Rotating coffee roasters: all small, all interesting.

Coffee roasted on-site and served in small cheerful cafe with light food.

Modern cafe to enjoy a most passionate cup of coffee. Stunning. Serving Metric coffees, roasted locally.

Tons of vintage couches; always packed. Fresh roasted coffee and cafe fare. Feel free to share a table or couch.

Great neighborhood bar for a beer in Noble Square. A block off the main drag.

Pretty much unchanged since Bucktown was less fancy and more interesting. Visit during the week.

Classic neighborhood bar with live music everything and never a cover.

Dark and wacky with hipster coolness. Friendly and lots to look at.

Discreetly hidden on a quiet residential street, friendly low-key spot to enjoy a beer and game of ping-pong. Watch for Tamale Man.

Renovated historic neighborhood bar that is tough to stumble upon. Lovely and classy.

“Chicago’s first handcrafted, artisanal cocktail lounge.” No reservations, expect a line much of the time. Entrance is all about obscurity so keep your eyes wide open. Light “substance” to accompany your libations.

Multi-level space to hear a grand and varied assortment of music. Cozy but not too intimate.

Beers from most every country long before huge beer selections became commonplace in Chicago. Chill vibe. Map Room in the Morning: pick up a coffee and pastry in the early morning.

Pacman, Ms. Pacman, Asteroids, Defender, Centipede and loads more to pass your time while drinking away.

Seductive corner tavern, mixologist created cocktails served in sultry space amidst vintage and modern European pieces.

Cheap beer, laid-back crowd in the heart of Division Street. Great alternative to the sea of sports bars with gobs of flat screen televisions. If hunger strikes, grab a slice from Pizza Metro or wait for Tamale Man.

Generous portions of seafood served with festivity and lots of noise. Not a place for a first date but great thereafter and for larger parties.

Progressive French and Asian inspired cuisine served in 32-seats. Reclaimed and repurposed space. Reservations on Sunday only; be prepared to wait and agree to the House Rules and don’t be a “grouchy pants.”

One of the originators of the “farm to table” movement. Long hours for breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails. Light snacks to full meals.

Unpretentious counter serving Puerto Rican breakfast, homemade soups, rice dishes and seafood three meals a day.

Grab a seat at the counter and feast on square cut potato rosemary pizza slices; wash it down with panna cotta and espresso.

“Authentic” feeling French bistro serving well executed typical Parisian specialties. Salade Lyonnaise, Moules, Canard Roti extraordinaire!

Enjoy eating meatless without missing the meat.

Nice to know that restaurateurs still know how to still open spots specializing in seafood. Super interesting selection of cocktails and absinthe.

Enjoy the belly dog and other Korean-inspired foods served in a smartly designed space.

Plantains, yucca, mamey, ceviche guanabana. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you find the weather is pleasant, eat outdoors.

Interesting sandwiches, from scratch soups and house baked pastries. Grab a bag of Milk & Honey granola to enjoy at home.

Relatively small collection of interesting and diverse beer and wine; none has mass appeal. Food dishes are simple, time tested and fabulous. Enjoy the rustic contemporary space that makes you not want to depart.

Magnificantly designed space housed in the former North Avenue Bathhouse. Expertly prepared cocktails and foods in ways that are not easily figured out.

New and used bicycles and accessories in a friendly shop in the heart of Logan Square. Expert repairs also.

Bright and organized shop carrying an interesting and well edited selection of CDs new and used. Expand your musical horizons here.

Modern aesthetic for the garden and home. Unusual plants and flora artfully displayed. Even the most simplistic arrangement is well thought out and articulated. Full landscape design services as well.

A most perfect modern boutique with an eye for detail, quality and visual interest. Hope accessories, men’s and women’s accessories, bath and body, office, tabletop, furniture all beautifully presented.

The most perfectly curated neighborhood grocery in Chicago. Fresh flowers, exquisite chocolate bars, edited staples, beverages, mini deli counter. Masterfully presented.

Magazine, shop and a community dedicated to analogue photography. From Vienna.

French, Italian and Scandinavian design from the 20th Century.

Designer shoe boutique for men and women featuring many European brands.

Affordable men’s and women’s mostly vintage clothing and accessories, with a few contemporary surprises.

“826CHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.” Shares space with Chicago’s “undercover secret agent supply store.”

Interesting and high quality men’s clothing and accessories with an eye for detail. Charming shop in the heart of Bucktown.

Highly personalized service makes purchasing a Dutch bike a pleasure. Cycles rarely found elsewhere in Chicago.

Mod shop showcasing fun, hip and somewhat timeless clothing for men and women.