Javascript is either disabled or not supported by this browser. This page may not appear properly.
Gold Coast ~ Pricey shops for pricey people. Lots of designer stuff. Nearby, I like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.
Halsted Street Area ~ Super yuppie Lincoln Park - DePaul shopping area chockablock with cutesy indie shops. Go north past the 3000 block (where Liz used to live) and you will find interesting Boys' Town shops.
Clark Street Area ~ Fun Lincoln Park shopping area David and I used to hit a lot when he lived in Lincoln Park. My faves include Parade of Shoes, Urban Outfitters, Presence, Hi-Fi Records, 2ndHand Tunes, and Climate Home.
Webster Street Area ~ Lovely Lincoln Park shopping area chockablock with cutesy and trendy indie shops.
North & Sheffield ~ Lincoln Park shopping mecca with parking (albeit, very, very crowded). Great stops include Z Gallerie, Cost Plus World Market, Container Store, Sam's Wine, Smith & Hawken, Whole Foods (+ the Eden eatery), Crate & Barrel.
Chicago Place ~ Excellent shopping on Michigan Avenue. Lots of great home furnishing spots, for daydreaming, including Retrospect Home, and Room & Board.
Shops at North Bridge ~ Another swanky spot to spend your dosh on Michigan Avenue.
Water Tower Place ~ Legendary mall with all the shops you care to visit while in Chicago.
900 North Michigan ~ Swanky, small mall on Michigan Avenue. David likes Club Monaco and Diesel. I like the Boudin Bakery Cafe and Charles David.
Old Orchard ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Lovely outdoor mall in Skokie. Lots of high-end and designer shops. Our wedding and engagement jewelry is from the lovely Tiffany's here!
Randhurst Mall ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Low-frills mall by my house. Best bets are Old Navy and Carson Pirie Scott.
Hawthorne Center Mall ~ Vernon Hills, IL. Another swanky mall in the northern suburbs. Benefit of shopping here is the lower sales tax at 6.75%.
Woodfield Mall ~ Schaumburg, IL. Largest mall in Illinois. Practically anything you could want to find in a retail experience. Tons of other shops and restaurants around this area as well. Extremely crowded and lots of traffic on weekends.
Northbrook Court ~ Northbrook, IL. Swanky mall in swanky Northbrook, IL. Best spots are Banana Republic, J Crew, Bebe, Sisley, Marshall Field's, Arden B, BCBG. There's also a huge cinema in the mall in case the shopping doesn't fit the bill.
Big Bowl ~ Schaumburg, Lincolnshire and Chicago, IL. This is a nice Pan-Asian spot that also has make-your-own stir fry. My fave is the Kung Pao chicken.
Egg Harbor ~ Arlington Heights, Glenview, Lake Forest and Lincolnshire IL. This is a quainter, more pricey version of Monica's. A bit more gourmet, a bit less selection, but very good nonetheless. I love the blueberry pancakes.
Monica's Cafe & Pancake House ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Our new weekend breakfast spot. The menu is staggeringly huge in its list of delicious selections, plus 3 pages of daily specials. Special crepes, baked oatmeal, and meat skillets are our usual.
Weber Grill ~ Wheeling, IL. Excellent grilled steaks, chicken, etc. Slightly upscale, great alfreso patio. I took Monkey here for a big dinner before he had wisdom tooth extraction surgery....
Lovell's of Lake Forest ~ Lake Forest, IL. Very upscale and gourmet spot in very upscale Lake Forest. Chef is son of Astronaut Jim Lovell.
Kamehachi ~ Northbrook, IL. Japanese joint down the street from Trattoria Oliverii in downtown Northbrook area. The thing I like most from here is dessert: ice cream wrapped in mochi.
Trattoria Oliverii ~ Northbrook, IL. Down-home Italian eatery in downtown Northbrook area. My favorite is their Italian salad, a gorgeous spread of chopped salamis and pepperonis, cheeses, and the salad bits. Great vinaigrette.
Stir Crazy ~ Northbrook, IL. Trendy Pan-Asian spot in the Northbrook Court Mall. Big feature is make your own stir fry, but I like the spicy shrimp, fried rices, and Vietnamese rolls.
Pronto Roma ~ Arlington Heights, IL. Nice Italian cafe in cutie downtown area of AH. The Roma Chopped Salad and Rigatoni Bianco are my favorites.
Wing Wah ~ Arlington Heights, IL. Simple, good and cheap Chinese spot with nice fried rice.
Sun Shui ~ Arlington Heights, IL. Swanky Chinese spot with nice veggie dishes.
Photo's Hot Dogs ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Really, really good cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chili-cheese fries. Yum!!
Kate's Thai Kitchen ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Their vegetable spring rolls and baby eggrolls are really nice.
Frances' Deli ~ Diner with great sandwiches, a vast array of root beers and Chicago-made candies, and delicious grilled cheese and fries.
Granny's Pankcake House ~ No-frills diner we loved to hit for Sunday late breakfast. Crowded and a little kooky, with some famous folks' photos floating around.
Penny's Noodle Shop ~ Very cheap, very, very good Pan Asian food. My faves are the Vietnamese Spring Rolls and the Sliced Chicken Noodles in a Bowl.
The Basil Leaf ~ Romantic pasta place in Lincoln Park. Linguine Carbonara and Spinach salads are very good.
The Pasta Bowl ~ Quick, cheap, and good basic pasta.
Mon Ami Gabi ~ Slightly swankier bistro in slightly swankier Lincoln Park West. Delicious steaks and flourless chocolate cake.
Clark Street Bistro ~ Nice steaks and pomme frites in a semi-casual, very bistro setting.
Toast ~ Delicious for breakfast foods, but also quite supreme for lunch. There are 3 locations in Chicago; I prefer the one at 228 W. Chicago. Must have: Webster Blue salad.
Addis Abeba ~ Yummy Ethiopian food in Lakeview/Wrigleyville. I like the saucier chicken / veggie dishes you get to scoop with the tangy flat breads that stand in for utensils.
Nam Viet ~ Nice Vietnamese food in Edison Park, just a hop, skip, and a jump from O'Hare International.
Thai Binh ~ More simple Vietnamese food in the Uptown area's "Little Saigon". Must have's include Pho and Grilled Beef Rice Paper Rolls.
Asiana ~ Simple Vietnamese food in Lincoln Park. Try their delicious fried & sugared banana or apple desserts too!
gnome recommends:
monkey recommends:
restaurants:
shopping:
city:
burbs:
Asiana ~ Simple Vietnamese food in Lincoln Park. Try their delicious fried & sugared banana or apple desserts too!
Thai Binh ~ More simple Vietnamese food in the Uptown area's "Little Saigon". Must have's include Pho and Grilled Beef Rice Paper Rolls.
Nam Viet ~ Nice Vietnamese food in Edison Park, just a hop, skip, and a jump from O'Hare International.
Addis Abeba ~ Yummy Ethiopian food in Lakeview/Wrigleyville. I like the saucier chicken / veggie dishes you get to scoop with the tangy flat breads that stand in for utensils.
Toast ~ Delicious for breakfast foods, but also quite supreme for lunch. There are 3 locations in Chicago; I prefer the one at 228 W. Chicago. Must have: Webster Blue salad.
Clark Street Bistro ~ Nice steaks and pomme frites in a semi-casual, very bistro setting.
Mon Ami Gabi ~ Slightly swankier bistro in slightly swankier Lincoln Park West. Delicious steaks and flourless chocolate cake.
The Pasta Bowl ~ Quick, cheap, and good basic pasta.
The Basil Leaf ~ Romantic pasta place in Lincoln Park. Linguine Carbonara and Spinach salads are very good.
Penny's Noodle Shop ~ Very cheap, very, very good Pan Asian food. My faves are the Vietnamese Spring Rolls and the Sliced Chicken Noodles in a Bowl.
Granny's Pankcake House ~ No-frills diner we loved to hit for Sunday late breakfast. Crowded and a little kooky, with some famous folks' photos floating around.
Frances' Deli ~ Diner with great sandwiches, a vast array of root beers and Chicago-made candies, and delicious grilled cheese and fries.
Kate's Thai Kitchen ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Their vegetable spring rolls and baby eggrolls are really nice.
Photo's Hot Dogs ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Really, really good cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and chili-cheese fries. Yum!!
Sun Shui ~ Arlington Heights, IL. Swanky Chinese spot with nice veggie dishes.
Wing Wah ~ Arlington Heights, IL. Simple, good and cheap Chinese spot with nice fried rice.
Pronto Roma ~ Arlington Heights, IL. Nice Italian cafe in cutie downtown area of AH. The Roma Chopped Salad and Rigatoni Bianco are my favorites.
Stir Crazy ~ Northbrook, IL. Trendy Pan-Asian spot in the Northbrook Court Mall. Big feature is make your own stir fry, but I like the spicy shrimp, fried rices, and Vietnamese rolls.
Trattoria Oliverii ~ Northbrook, IL. Down-home Italian eatery in downtown Northbrook area. My favorite is their Italian salad, a gorgeous spread of chopped salamis and pepperonis, cheeses, and the salad bits. Great vinaigrette.
Kamehachi ~ Northbrook, IL. Japanese joint down the street from Trattoria Oliverii in downtown Northbrook area. The thing I like most from here is dessert: ice cream wrapped in mochi.
Lovell's of Lake Forest ~ Lake Forest, IL. Very upscale and gourmet spot in very upscale Lake Forest. Chef is son of Astronaut Jim Lovell.
Weber Grill ~ Wheeling, IL. Excellent grilled steaks, chicken, etc. Slightly upscale, great alfreso patio. I took Monkey here for a big dinner before he had wisdom tooth extraction surgery....
Monica's Cafe & Pancake House ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Our new weekend breakfast spot. The menu is staggeringly huge in its list of delicious selections, plus 3 pages of daily specials. Special crepes, baked oatmeal, and meat skillets are our usual.
Egg Harbor ~ Arlington Heights, Glenview, Lake Forest and Lincolnshire IL. This is a quainter, more pricey version of Monica's. A bit more gourmet, a bit less selection, but very good nonetheless. I love the blueberry pancakes.
Big Bowl ~ Schaumburg, Lincolnshire and Chicago, IL. This is a nice Pan-Asian spot that also has make-your-own stir fry. My fave is the Kung Pao chicken.
Northbrook Court ~ Northbrook, IL. Swanky mall in swanky Northbrook, IL. Best spots are Banana Republic, J Crew, Bebe, Sisley, Marshall Field's, Arden B, BCBG. There's also a huge cinema in the mall in case the shopping doesn't fit the bill.
Woodfield Mall ~ Schaumburg, IL. Largest mall in Illinois. Practically anything you could want to find in a retail experience. Tons of other shops and restaurants around this area as well. Extremely crowded and lots of traffic on weekends.
Hawthorne Center Mall ~ Vernon Hills, IL. Another swanky mall in the northern suburbs. Benefit of shopping here is the lower sales tax at 6.75%.
Randhurst Mall ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Low-frills mall by my house. Best bets are Old Navy and Carson Pirie Scott.
Old Orchard ~ Mt. Prospect, IL. Lovely outdoor mall in Skokie. Lots of high-end and designer shops. Our wedding and engagement jewelry is from the lovely Tiffany's here!
burbs:
city:
900 North Michigan ~ Swanky, small mall on Michigan Avenue. David likes Club Monaco and Diesel. I like the Boudin Bakery Cafe and Charles David.
Water Tower Place ~ Legendary mall with all the shops you care to visit while in Chicago.
Shops at North Bridge ~ Another swanky spot to spend your dosh on Michigan Avenue.
Chicago Place ~ Excellent shopping on Michigan Avenue. Lots of great home furnishing spots, for daydreaming, including Retrospect Home, and Room & Board.
North & Sheffield ~ Lincoln Park shopping mecca with parking (albeit, very, very crowded). Great stops include Z Gallerie, Cost Plus World Market, Container Store, Sam's Wine, Smith & Hawken, Whole Foods (+ the Eden eatery), Crate & Barrel.
Webster Street Area ~ Lovely Lincoln Park shopping area chockablock with cutesy and trendy indie shops.
Clark Street Area ~ Fun Lincoln Park shopping area David and I used to hit a lot when he lived in Lincoln Park. My faves include Parade of Shoes, Urban Outfitters, Presence, Hi-Fi Records, 2ndHand Tunes, and Climate Home.
Halsted Street Area ~ Super yuppie Lincoln Park - DePaul shopping area chockablock with cutesy indie shops. Go north past the 3000 block (where Liz used to live) and you will find interesting Boys' Town shops.
Gold Coast ~ Pricey shops for pricey people. Lots of designer stuff. Nearby, I like Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters.