Alla Vita is a large, popular Italian restaurant in the West Loop.

Rose Mary is a great Croatian spot in Fulton Market.

This is the River North location of the Avec in the West Loop. It's much larger, and yes, they have the bacon-wrapped dates here, too.

Pie, Pie My Darling is a vegan bakery in Humboldt Park with great pies, cookies, and cake jars.

Located in The Hatchery, Bartleby’s makes - you guessed it - ice cream cakes, including vegan options.

Monteverde is the best Italian restaurant in Chicago. Order lots of pasta.

El Mariachi is a Mexican restaurant in Lakeview with a bottomless brunch.

Ciccio Mio is a great Italian restaurant in River North from the team behind Gilt Bar and Bavette’s.

Sunda is an Asian-fusion restaurant in River North that’s been around for a while, but still has great food.

Carol’s is a country bar in Uptown that’s great for dancing to live music and eating at the bar.

The Whale is a vaguely casino themed restaurant in Logan Square with a wide-ranging menu.

Fireside is a bowling alley that’s been around since the '40s with a divey lounge.

Revolution’s large production brewery and taproom in Avondale is a great place to enjoy some of Chicago’s best beer at the source.

The Mousetrap is a taproom in Lincoln Park for Off Color Brewing, one of Chicago’s funkiest breweries.

Triple Crown is a classic dim sum restaurant in Chinatown.

Phoenix is a classic dim sum restaurant in Chinatown.