Restaurants: Wicker Park Area

THE BRISTOL
Designers: John Ross, Phillip Walters, Steven Carrow, And Megan Snyder
Executive Chef: Chris Pandel
Neighborhood: Bucktown
Cuisine: American
2152 N Damen Ave
773-862-5555
www.thebristolchicago.com

Everything about this newcomer is focused on fresh seasonality, from the clean design to the constantly updated specials in a delightful setting for Midwestern-style dishes. The menu makes use of the chef’s vast expertise, including using every part of an animal and making homemade pasta. The restaurant is located in an old Chicago building full of character, with brick walls and a rotating selection of artwork. There is also a bar upstairs that serves seasonal cocktails (some featuring house-made bitters) and specialty beers.

DUCHAMP
Designer: Peter Gogarty
Executive Chef: Michael Taus
Neighborhood: Bucktown
Cuisine: New American
2118 N Damen Ave
773-235-6434
www.duchamp-chicago.com

This new eatery from Chef Michael Taus and the owners of the avant-garde bar Lumen, like its namesake, plays with the appropriation of materials by creating nearly every surface—including tables and walls—out of black walnut flooring. Long communal tables bring neighborhood people together for casual dining. The fare is French and Mediterranean-inspired American with both small and large plates in the offering. During the summer season the outdoor deck will be used for experimental cinema screenings and chess playing.

WICKER PARK AREA SPECIALTIES

DESSERT TIME

Great meals deserve great desserts. Take a stroll after a big meal to find a sweet at one of the neighborhood’s culinary newcomers or old favorite spots for pies, ice cream, and cakes galore.

HOOSIER MAMA PIE COMPANY
Designer: Designscout
Executive Chef: Paula Haney
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village
Cuisine : Pie
1618_ Chicago Ave
312-243-4846
www.hoosiermamapie.com

Pick out the perfect slice from the shop’s repertoire of 40 different pies. Tantalizing options include modern favorites as well as old-style regional classics such as Vinegar Chess and Shaker Lemon.

ALLIANCE BAKERY
Designer: Peter Rios
Executive Chef: Peter Rios
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Cuisine: Bakery
1736 W Division St
773-278-0366
www.alliance-bakery.com

European-style pastry and desserts, plus beverages from the full espresso bar, can be enjoyed in the outdoor café on a nice day. Custom-designed cakes are available.

iCREAM CAFÉ
Designer: Stl Architects
Executive Chefs: Cora Shaw And Jason Mckinney
Neighborhood: Wicker Park
Cuisine: Ice Cream
1537 N Milwaukee Ave
773-342-2834
www.icreamcafe.com

What happens when you freeze liquid nitrogen to -320°F? Ice cream! Pick a base (such as regular or soy milk) a color, and a flavor—more than 129,000 combinations are possible.

SWEET CAKES
Designers: The Smith Family
Executive Chef: Emily Smith
Neighborhood: Ukrainian Village
Cuisine: Bakery
935 N Damen Ave
773-772-5771
www.sweetcakeschicago.com

This beloved neighborhood café offers tons of fresh baked pastries, cupcakes, and other desserts, including the famous corn muffin with a full hard-boiled egg inside. There’s free Wi-Fi and a patio strewn with curious objects.

WICKER PARK AREA: MORE EATS

Angels & Mariachis
TACO BAR
1721 W Division St
773-227-7772
www.angelschicago.com
Full-blown Mexican kitsch complete with lucha libre and Day of the Dead décor.

Between Boutique Café and Lounge
GLOBAL
1324 N Milwaukee Ave
773-292-0585
betweenchicago.com
Bold, unusual flavor combinations and sharing plates take center stage at this loungy restaurant from Top Chef contestant Radhika Desai.

Bite Café
AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY
1039 N Western Ave
773-395-2483
emptybottle.com/bite
The culinary element of the music venue the Empty Bottle with many vegetarian-friendly options.

Blu Coral
JAPANESE/SUSHI
1265 N Milwaukee Ave
773-252-2020
blucoralchicago.com
Hip, contemporary sushi lounge with elegant signature maki rolls.

Bob San
JAPANESE
1805 W Division St
773-235-8888
bob-san.com
Authentic Japanese cuisine in a hip upscale environment with a cool warehouse feel.

Café Laguardia
CUBAN
2111 W Armitage Ave
773-862-5996
cafelaguardia.com
Originally opened in Cuba in 1950. Don’t miss the house specialty, paella valencia.

Chaise Lounge
AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY
1840 W North Ave
773-342-1840
chaiseloungechicago.com
Upscale eatery and bar reminiscent of Miami Beach with a rooftop deck and patio.

Club Lucky
ITALIAN
1824 W Wabansia Ave
773-227-2300
clubluckychicago.com
An upbeat 1940s-style supper club and cocktail lounge that serves handmade pastas and delicious signature martinis.

Coast Sushi Bar
JAPANESE
2045 N Damen Ave
773-235-5775
coastsushibar.com
BYOB spot for classic and creative interpretations on sushi.

Enoteca Roma
ITALIAN
2144–46 W Division St
773-342-1011
enotecaroma.com
Pair the homemade pasta with wine from the extensive bottle menu.

Feast Restaurant & Bar
AMERICAN
1616 N Damen Ave
773-772-7100
feastrestaurant.com
A funky Wicker Park favorite with bohemian trimmings.

Flo
SOUTHWESTERN
1434 W Chicago Ave
312-243-0477
eatatflo.com
Urban cooking with a Latin twist.

Francesca’s Forno
ITALIAN
1576 N Milwaukee Ave
773-770-0184
miafrancesca.com
Northern Italian small-plates eatery is great for sharing.

Irazu
COSTA RICAN
1865 N Milwaukee Ave
773-252-5687
irazuchicago.com
Neighborhood favorite BYOB spot with specialties like chicken casado.

Le Bouchon
FRENCH
1958 N Damen Ave
773-862-6600
lebouchonofchicago.com
This cozy spot keeps the regulars coming back for simple French classics.

Lula
NEW AMERICAN
2537 N Kedzie Blvd
773-489-9554
lulacafe.com
Delicious dishes made from almost all local ingredients.

Mado
ITALIAN/
MEDITERRANEAN
1647 N Milwaukee Ave
773-342-2340
madorestaurantchicago.com
Rustic trattoria focused on full flavors from local, seasonal ingredients.

Mana Food Bar
VEGETARIAN
1742 W Division St
773-342-1742
manafoodbar.com
Delicious vegetable-focused menu in a cozy restaurant designed with natural forms by local artisans.

Marrakech Cuisine
MOROCCAN
1413 N Ashland Ave
773-227-6451
manafoodbar.com
A taste of North Africa with the rich spices of Morocco.

Milk & Honey
1920 W Division St
773-395-9434
milkandhoneycafe.com
An innovative take on comfort food for breakfast and lunch.

Mirai Sushi
JAPANESE
2020 W Division St
773-862-8500
miraisushi.com
Sip cocktails, eat sushi, and unwind in the futuristic upstairs lounge.

Rodan
SOUTH AMERICAN/ASIAN FUSION
1530 N Milwaukee Ave
773-276-7036
rodan.ws
Gallery, lounge, and restaurant named for the 1950s Japanese sci-fi classic Rodan! The Flying Monster.

Salud Tequila Lounge
CONTEMPORARY MEXICAN
1471 N Milwaukee Ave
773-235-5577
saludlounge.com
Upscale favorite dishes and more than 75 varieties of 100 percent agave tequila.

Schwa
PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN
1466 N Ashland Ave
773-252-1466
schwarestaurant.com
Local and seasonally focused avant-garde cuisine from chef Michael Carlson.

Smoke Daddy
BARBECUE
1804 W Division St
773-772-6656
thesmokedaddy.com
House-smoked meats and live music make for a great ribs joint.

Takashi
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN
1952 N Damen Ave
773-772-6170
takashichicago.com
Japanese- and European-influenced dishes in an inviting room decorated with hand painted linen wallpaper.

Taxim
GREEK
1558 N Milwaukee Ave
773-252-1558
takashichicago.com
New on the scene with delicious mezes and entrées.

Veggie Bite
VEGAN
1300 N Milwaukee Ave
773-772-2483
veggiebite.net
Quick service meat- and dairy-free treats like the “chili cheese dog” and “Philly cheesesteak.”