Neighborhood: Lakeview

In the former location of a Lakeview hardware store, the Wilde Bar opened in November 2007. Featuring two full bars, authentic Irish food, and a beautiful interior, the bar would not disappoint Oscar Wilde. Were he alive today, the great gay Irish playwright would feel comfortable here eating a plate of bangers and mash, drinking whiskey in the back with a boyfriend or seated by the fireplace writing something witty.

Inside, the Wilde Bar is much longer and broader than the narrow storefront would lead you to expect. Amber and bronze chandeliers hang over the two long dark bars, the leather booths and two fireplaces with portraits of Oscar Wilde. Portraits of other Irish writers like William Butler Yeats and Samuel Beckett hang on the walls. Two stained glass windows in the ceiling show red dragonflies and Celtic knots. The décor reminds you of Wilde’s insights about aesthetics; even the tile and wood beam floor looks beautiful. Two plasma TVs silently show basketball and other sports, so you can keep up with the games and keep up a conversation at the same time. Like a pub in Ireland, the bar features some booths with walls on three sides, called “snugs”. At night you could drink privately here with a date.

The menu features old-fashioned Irish with staples like lamb, chicken pot pie, champ (mashed potatoes with milk, scallions and butter ($2.95) and the enormous savory Irish breakfast with bungers, bacon, grilled tomato, mushrooms, baked beans, two eggs, toast and black and white (sausage) puddings. Other menu items put an Irish spin on American food like the burgers with Irish chips and coleslaw or the chicken salad with Irish cheddar and bacon. Two soups are on the menu; one is always vegetarian. Desserts include a Guinness chocolate cake, sticky toffee pudding and lemon syllabub with wine sauce. For a brunch, dinner or dessert date, portions are generous and satisfying. My only complaint about the menu is that beer does not come cheap here; Guinness is $6 and Bud and Coors or $4. This would move me to skip directly to whiskey and other drinks.

Service was prompt and attentive here and the food was the best I’ve had since I visited Dublin. The Wilde Bar and Restaurant combines old-fashioned beauty with American comfort and great Irish food and drink. There are DJs here on weekends and private parties. I have nothing to declare but its genius.

Sometimes my plan for a girls’ day out centers on cake and coffee rather than cocktails. For a sweet treat, take your mom, sister, best friend or any chocoholic or coffee aficionado to Julius Meinl’s Café.

Julius Meinl (the name rhymes with ‘vinyl’) was the name of the first Vienna merchant to sell roasted coffee in 1862. Before that, coffee drinkers roasted their own beans over woodstoves. The Meinl logo shows a boy in a red fez, a reminder of the Turks who first introduced coffee to Vienna. The Meinl coffee business has prospered in Austria for five generations. Their cafe on Southport in Chicago serves the same roasted coffee, imported tea and traditional cakes and dishes as the original in Vienna.

Meinl’s imports tea and makes its own coffee and hot cocoa. Lattes and espresso here are identical to their Italian counterparts. The unique Viennese coffee drink is the melange , a big sweet espresso drink with equal parts steamed milk and foam, topped with chocolate shavings. For true luxury, order this with a shot of your favorite flavor (mine is orange). Your tea drinking friends can enjoy a wide selection of imported tea from chai and lapsang souchong to Earl Grey and strawberry. Drinks arrive on elegant silver trays with tiny teaspoons.

Unique Austrian cakes here include Vienna torte, flourless chocolate cake with marzipan, apricot jam and chocolate, Cardinal Schnitte, ladyfingers with lemon mousse and strawberry jam and gugelhupf, a marbled chocolate and vanilla cake. Meinl’s own creations include mousses, cookies and Mozart torte with chocolate and pistachios.

If you and your friends want a light brunch, the croissants and jam or baked eggs with toast taste great with coffee. You can order your eggs with smoked salmon, cheese or vegetables. Breakfast lasts until noon on weekdays and two on weekends for late risers. For lunch, try the crepes with cheese and ham or asparagus and mushrooms, which come with a mixed green salad. Imported cheese and Hungarian goulash round out the menu.

Julius Meinl's is a great place to meet before a movie at the Music Box. If you take the Brown Line El, the Southport stop is closed for construction, but this is well worth the walk from Paulina. In warm weather, you can sit at a table outside and watch the world go by. In winter, enjoy the cheerful yellow interior of the café and pick out a cake from their opulent display case. Servers treat you very well here and never rush you. At Julius Meinl's, you can invite your friends to Vienna without leaving the city.

Have you ever found yourselves in one of these situations?

a) Your hair style probably makes your Grandma cringe, and your specialist stylist is no longer around.
b) You haven’t done a thing with your hair in years, and you want a stylist that won’t mess with the length you worked so hard to grow.
c) You’re sick of your current stylist cutting your hair a certain way, because that’s what he / she likes!
d) You’re a guy that likes his hair styled and not clipped, but you don’t want to go to a foux foux place to get it done.
e) You’re female as far as anatomy is concerned, but your style is anything but girlie!
f) You want an expert stylist that doesn’t make you gulp when you pony up to the register.

Then get your potentially sexy butt on the phone with the folks at Milio’s and make an appointment! They can make the impossible possible and have been doing so for decades! This is the number one place in town that really does “get it”, no matter what “it” may be, and do it in a fun and crazy atmosphere!

Like many folks, I too have family members who are registered beauticians, but I see what their specialties are, and I really don’t like it. No hard feelings, but it seems it’s always better to get your hair done by an unbiased third party who listens to you and not to your other family members‘ ideas of what looks cute. And, as most ladies go, I’m pretty particular about my hair, so when it comes to suggesting a place for a great style at a fair price, there are very few places I will go out of my way to get it done - Milio’s is one of those few places.

It goes without saying Milio’s is a place that caters to those with a rebellious side, what with all the far out hair styles, tattoos and piercings seen on the other stylists. People who want to get dread extensions done go here often, as do those who want to make sure their multi colored hair is done professionally. If you want to look like a total Rock Star, this is definitely the place to go! But even if you’re the super fabulous, fashion model type and far from the post-Punk dye jobs many of the stylists sport, you can be rest assured you will look absolutely stunning. And yes, you can get your eye brows done while you’re at it! The best part is, no matter what you want, you will leave with plenty of cash left over for shopping for a new outfit afterwards. After all, you’ll need one to go with the new you!

In a world seemingly consumed by coffeeholics, tea lovers and their kettles tend to be relegated to the back burner, with no outlets geared specifically towards them. This cute little shop just happens to be such a place, where a passion for tea is uniquely present. Whether you’re a true connoisseur of all things leafy and brewed or just love the tried and true, My Place for Tea will transform your entire essence and have you coming back for more. No commercialism, no arrogance, no fluff - just tea and tea accessories for real tea lovers.

So what can a novice only accustomed to Starbucks and the store shelves expect from such a place? Not only is it a place to chill with something hot and aromatic, but it is also a place to learn about the various health benefits from their extremely knowledgeable and passionate staff, as well as a fun shop to create your own concoctions based on where your taste buds take you and what inspires you. There is comfy wicker furniture near the windows to do a little people watching as well, since its location is surrounded by folks who are just as eclectic as the vast varieties of teas inside. Of course, you don’t have to stay there to enjoy the wonderful brews, but you are more than welcome to purchase some and enjoy at home or share with those who inspire you just as much as the leaves themselves.

Since us Americans over all tend to prefer our tea to come in its chilled state, My Place For Tea is armed and ready to make your acquaintance, especially with those yummy bubble teas. Don’t know what that is? If you like tapioca in its pudding state, then you’ll fall head over heels for this delicious drink with those gummy pearls you fell in love with as a kid. Outside of some Asian restaurants, this just may be the one of the only places in town you will be able to find this exotic drink!

On Saturday afternoons, you can also attend their free tea tastings and discover new favorites! Also, yoga classes are held at various times of the year, so be sure to sign up for their news letters to find out more!

This is a spot that definitely has its ups and downs, depending on your perspective. The bar has really earned its name due to its small capacity, and the upstairs verses the downstairs seem to be two completely different bars altogether.

As you come in, you'll immediately notice the blessed amount of bench seating available, which is great when you come in a pack. Also, since most people go there to see a show, seating is fairly ample, even on Friday and Saturday nights. The bar staff up there are pretty friendly, accommodating and know a thing or two about making a mixer, and the prices are fair, though nothing to write home about. The bathrooms however are pretty dingy and strewn with graffiti, but hey – that just makes for good bowl reading! Just be sure to hover and squat!

Yes, the Elbo Room brings in its fair share of decent local bands, and yes, it's in a fair location when it comes to finding parking considering the area, but that downstairs stage really doesn't do a whole lot of favors for anyone. The stairway can make you feel claustrophobic with those loose, winding steps, the stage is small and on the floor, the sound is pretty bad, it's more like hanging out in your mom's low ceiling basement than at any kind of real venue and wow does it get HOT down there, even in the middle of a frigid Chicago winter! And because of the layout, set changes take an awful long time, since there just isn't enough room for bands to set up and tear down in the same amount of space. However, places like this do allow fans to get up close and personal with their favorite bands, which can be a big positive under the right set of circumstances. Also, its strange, angular layout has plenty of little nooks to hide out in, though the bar stools are rickety, not at all comfortable and are in very short supply.

Overall, the Elbo Room is probably a good place to go if your friend's band is playing, so go ahead and support them! If you stay upstairs, it also serves well for finding a place in the neighborhood to bring a group of friends. Other than that though, the place really doesn't have much to stand on its own.

Take everything you think you know about relaxing gyms and day spas and chuck them out the window. That includes the notions they should be overly frilly, overly priced, latent in testosterone and / or only women who have stunning figures are welcome. Now imagine a place where only women are permitted, where the focus is on truly letting the worries of the day slip away, where a mere $20 can score up to three full hours soaking and where no specific body type is required. Oh Thousand Waves, how can women ever repay you?

Whether the visit is for a good, long soak, a well deserved massage, a deep, cleansing herbal wrap or a combination of all of the above, this spa is sure to welcome even the complete novice a day in paradise. The overall cleanliness of this spa helps to ensure everyone will feel comfortable dipping their toes into the water. Swim suits are optional for the baths, but everything else one could possibly ever need is already supplied. (Yes, this is a very open environment.) For those booking an appointment for a massage, be sure to get there an hour early to get in some complimentary Jacuzzi time!

While they may not offer as many services as their higher priced counterparts, what they do offer is very exacting, with top notch service by well trained staff. It actually seems to work in their favor, since it helps their clients zero in on what it is they really need. One of the nicest things about Thousand Waves is their particular care for women who are pregnant or are dealing with cancer. Free treatments are available with doctors’ referrals, including stress management, as they strive to make each woman feel well cared for, no matter how much is being spent. This is genuinely one place where everyone is an equal.

It should also be noted that while this establishment is strictly for women, it doesn’t mean it’s heavily geared for lesbians. All women of all types are welcome, including moms and girlfriends, from the extremely modest to the most empowered. Therefore, those who have even an inkling of insecurity can let it all flow down the drain with those toxins and other impurities. This is truly a haven no price tag can be attached, perhaps deserving of a Mastercard commercial!

Looking for an original vinyl of the Scorpions “In Trance” album? How about that killer CD by The Pixies? Well grab up that list and head down to Reckless Records! It’s a store that remembers what it’s like to actually collect music on mediums other than iPods owned by independent owners. It’s also where all the cool kids still go, even if some of those kids happen to be pushing the envelope on their AARP memberships!

This trio of record stores located in some of the hippest neighborhoods around town have a major cult following by a vast amount of folks who still like to buy their music in person. On top of the latest releases by underground and cult favorites, Reckless Records carries a fantastic collection of used CDs, and they even have cassettes and vinyl as well! How cool is that? While the prevalent genres stocked are rock and alternative, quite a few other styles are also available, making this the perfect spot to scope out those hard to find tracks. A small selection of vintage posters, t shirts and video games are also available for die hard collectors.

Of course, since they carry a good deal of used stuff, they obviously need to get it from somewhere. Folks in the know frequently unload their used items here in confidence, knowing they are going to fetch a good price for them. These guys are very good about keeping track of where everything comes from, so shoppers can also feel good about knowing nothing here is “hot”, making all three of these indie shops great places to support.

The fun, helpful and extremely knowledgeable staff really earn their chops, and they genuinely love what they do, many in underground bands themselves, so chat it up with a local celebrity or two! No music trivia question goes unanswered, so those looking for the extremely hard to find can begin their quests here.

Whether folks plan on going as a group to hit the Midnight showing of Rocky Horror (with or without full regalia!), a couple wanting to get all snuggly like while watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s or perhaps good friends just want to relive their youth by seeing Raiders of the Lost Ark on the big screen again, the Music Box Theatre is the place to go for a fun and enchanting evening.

While the musty seats can be downright uncomfortable, the sound is very sub par by today’s standards and the carpeting is in serious need of a rehab, that taste of real butter on the popcorn and all those wonderful independent and foreign films more than make up for it. The twinkling lights above and the large organ playing before the shows can stir up some nostalgia no place else can even come close. Classic cartoon festivals, and Grease and Monty Python sing alongs are equally as entertaining. RKO and John Hughes films duke it out for screen time, as do classic Japanese monster movies and cult classics.

There is a second, smaller theatre inside that is even more cozy than the main screen, which many folks say is more akin to being seated in a very large living room. That can be inferred as either good or bad, depending on who‘s being asked. Even so, the magic of the big screen is still highlighted and captured here, making it an experience no soul should pass before leaving.

Those wanting to avoid the family and kid crowds need to take in a later film, just like anyplace else. Unlike the Brew and View, no alcohol is served here, so hitting up the local pubs beforehand or afterwards is a good idea. Also, parking in the surrounding area can be really tight, especially on weekends, so taking advantage of the nearby trains or cabs is highly suggested.

Here's a movie theater everyone can agree on! Besides the fact guests get to kick back a few cold ones on huge comfy seats while checking out a favorite cult film, this place has incredible sound when the bands come into town! Five floors make up this early 20th century vaudeville, where some of its original brilliance still shines through. It's nice an dark here and extremely casual.

This is pretty much a movie theatre for people who like to treat the place like they are watching cable in their own homes, and that includes getting a little chatty and reclining back. It serves as a great alternative to staying in for the night, and guests get to mingle and meet new people, as the beer goes for a cool $1.50 and admittance for only $5.00. It is also ideal for new couples who may desire a dark scene but want to avoid a completely segregated area, especially those who want to put off seeing how the other half lives at the moment. This is casual at its finest. And by the way: the best seats are down in the front center, but pretty much anyplace is good!

Whether folks go there for a concert or a flick, The Vic is centrally located in a pretty great area for young couples of all breeds. The immediate neighborhood is very eclectic, from the punk and goth kids to the young socialites, all feeding from the same proverbial trough known as the intersection of Belmont & Clark. Shopping and dining are plentiful, as are cabs, trains and buses - a true feast for the eyes and lips! Just be very careful when parking anywhere in the area! Just about everything on the street not metered is permit only, with cops ticketing often, and store lots hire spotters to boot unauthorized vehicles. Using the pay lot or taking the train is a very wise idea!