Chicago has so
many cool places
to meet other
young adults
that it can be
almost
overwhelming.
ALLISON KAPLAN
Special to The Jewish News
ou're only in Chi-Town for a
weekend and don't know
where to go? If you're looking
for others in the same range
of age and taste and you don't have to
stand in line at Ed Debevic's with every
other tourist, here are a few spots you
won't want to miss.
Remember: know your neighbor-
hoods. In New York, you'll be warned
not to gawk open-mouthed on the side-
walk at all the tall buildings, but in
Chicago, it's just be careful and know
where you walk.
*Old Town — Noted for its 19th-
century Victorian homes, this neighbor-
hood south of Lincoln Park and north
of the Loop offers charming city living
— but at a high price. Old Town is
home to the original Second City
Theatre, 1616 N. Wells, as well as
many restaurants and boutiques.
Popular among MBA types who can
afford a condo and want to be closer to
downtown.
*Lincoln Park — You've no doubt
heard of this quintessential twentysome-
thing/yuppie neighborhood, where
apartment prices climb faster than you
can say "Nowhere to park!" The neigh-
borhood borders the lake, zoo and park
on the east, and extends west to streets
around DePaul University, an area that
has become the trendiest place to live.
Just south of DePaul, west of Halsted
Street, is Armitage Avenue with upscale
y
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Detroit Jewish News
boutiques to rival downtown's popular
Michigan Avenue.
*Lake View — Just to the north,
where Lincoln Park dwellers move
when they want a bigger apartment for
a better price. Home to a large gay pop-
ulation, this neighborhood is more
diNierse. You'll find interesting shops,
restaurants and synagogues. Wrigley
Field is just up the street.
*Wicker Park/Bucktown — West of
Lincoln Park, meaning off the lake, this
is Chicago's most cutting-edge commu-
nity. The feel is more urban concrete,
less tree-lined neighborhood streets.
Walking alone at night could be more
of a concern here than in Lincoln Park,
but if you want to be surrounded by the
newest art galleries, the hippest restau-
rants and some funky clubs and coffee-
houses, this is the place.
Top: Mashed
Potato Club
Bottom:
Twisted Lizard
Photographs of American-Jewish
Communal Life by Jay Wolke" runs
through Sept. 13.
*John G. Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S.
Lake Shore Drive, (312) 939-2438.
Beyond the fish and 90,000-gallon
Coral Reef exhibit is a most impressive
Oceanarium overlooking Lake
Michigan. Dolphin shows offered sever-
al times daily.
*Chicago Architectural Boat Tours.
A great way to learn the history of
Chicago's most interesting buildings
and enjoy a sunny day. (Julia Roberts
took one of these boats down the
Museums and Sights
Chicago River in "My Best Friend's
*Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies,
Wedding.")
Ninety-minute tours
618 S. Michigan, (312) 922-9012.
depart
from
Michigan Avenue and
Featuring the Midwest's most compre-
Wacker
Drive,
among other locations.
hensive Judaic collection, the Asher
Tickets are $18. Advance purchase
Library offers more than 100,000
recommended. (312) 669-1987 or
books, many rare. Spertus College offers
(312) 527-2002.
films and lectures. The Bariff Shop for
*Navy Pier, 600 E. Grand, (800)
Judaica has a large selection of Jewish
595-PIER
Ride the Ferris wheel with a
arts and other gifts.
picture-perfect
view of Chicago's sky-
*Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S.
line,
take
in
a
show
at the IMAX, hang
Michigan, (312) 443-3600. A world-
out
at
the
beer
garden
and watch the
famous art museum, especially known
boats pass. The pier offers 50 acres of
for its collection of French Impressionist
parks, shops, restaurants and theaters.
paintings. "All Around the House:
Restaurants
For kosher, you'll want to check out
the yummy Chinese and other eateries
at the north end of the city, then ven-
ture to suburban Skokie for a bevy of
delectable dining locales that hold up to
even the strictest heksher.
Otherwise, here's a taste of great
Chicago eats.
*The Mashed Potato Club, 316 W
Erie, (312) 255-8579. A testament to
fun, eating with attitude, and not only
because of the 100 potato toppings.
Lights are multicolored, disco music is
loud, the crowd ranges from corporate
types to drag queens. Take your time
with the martini list — a two-hour wait
is typical.
*Iberico Cafe & Bar, 737 N. LaSalle,
(312) 573-1510. Where twentysome-
thing Chicagoans go for tapas on
Saturday nights. You might have to join
the masses by the bar for a lengthy wait,
but the inexpensive pitchers of sangria L---\
make it quite bearable. Dishes are tasty,
and deliciously affordable.
*Okno, 1332 N. Milwaukee, (773)
395-1313. One of the many so-hip-it-
hurts new Wicker Park establishments