B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Loves Chicago

Summertime Chi, Part 3~

We are continuing our series of hot spots in Chicago--from restaurants, to bars, and nail salons.  We're covering the whole city over and stopping in the South Loop, Chinatown, and Pilsen this week.


Thanks again to Anne Szkatulski, Emily DeYoe, and Cathy Yu--fellow legislative attorneys and Chicago-enthusiasts for contributing! 


Enjoy!!


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SOUTH LOOP

Restaurants

Mercat a la Planxa. 638 S. Michigan.

Over the top everything – in the best possible way (Spanish).

         Bars

M Lounge. 1520 S. Wabash Ave.

Live music during the week.  Intimate space, but fun even on crowded nights.  The BEST mojitos anywhere!

CHINATOWN

Restaurants

Happy Chef. 1215 B South Harlem Ave.

Very good dim sum and very reasonable wait, so generally the one I go to.

          Phoenix. 2131 S Archer Ave.

        My favorite dim sum, but the longest wait. Practically have to get there at 8 am to wait less than 45 minutes and that defeats the purpose of lazy Sundays.

Lao Shanghai. 2163 S China Pl.

Other best place in Chinatown for dinner.

Lao Beijing. 2138 S Archer Ave.

PILSEN

Restaurants

Nightwood. 2119 S. Halsted.

ED: I’ve only been for dinner, which was wonderful – but have heard much better things about brunch.  Get there early since they’re usually out of your first choice

CY: Amazing brunch. Lula’s grown-up fancier cousin. I think my favorite currently.

Mundial Cocina Mestiza 1640 W 18th St.

Nicer Pilsen restaurant – really good, fancier than standard Mexican. Good date place.

Nuevo Leon 1515 W 18th St.

Down home-y authentic (as far as I can tell anyway) Mexican.

Jumping Bean Café 1439 W 18th St.

Adorable café, amazing Mexican hot/cold chocolate. My favorite café to just hang out in and talk.