Christine Z.

Five Forks Market

You don't expect to find world class dining in a strip mall, but there you have it. Five Forks is top notch in a town full of chain restaurants. This white linened dining spot is romantic, with candle lit tables, first class service, and a pretty good wine selection (including by the glass) for such a small place. The food is comparable to what you'd find in any big city establishment, very Wolfgang Puck. They feature trendy pizzas, beyond the ordinary salads, great fish dishes, and a flourless chocolate cake for desert that is comparable to eating a slice of chocolate truffle. The price per couple is about $50 for two for an appetizer, entree, and desert to share, well worth the money. It's not the most logical location for such a great dining experience, but there is plenty of parking!

Couture Club

What's old is new again, as can be seen in the red carpet runway forays of Hollywood starlets. You already knew old was cool, and this is a place that can supply your every whim. Find clothing, purses, costume jewelry, and other accessories from the 1950s to the 1970s era in this Lincoln Park store.

PROS: beautiful assortment of hipster garb
CONS: vintage can be costly when it's couture

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago

Hubbard Street Dance now performs in the newly built Harris Theatre for Music and Dance in Millenium Park, and that is a very good thing. Now Chicago audiences will have an easy place to see this amazing company of dancers. Their quirky modern-jazz riff is unlike any traditional notion of dance. I went to a performance, where dancers selected audience members to perform with them on stage. Go see Hubbard,and you will be thinking outside the dance box.

PROS: wonderful company of modern dancers
CONS: tickets can be expensive but you'll have a night to remember

National Museum Of Mexican Art

Located in the heart of Pilsen, this museum is for art lovers of any breed (and it's not a bad neighborhood for lan accompanying unch or dinner either). Here you will see the artists you have come to associate with great Mexican art--Diego Rivera and Frieda Khalo--and many who deserve to be better known. Check on museum activities, too. They often sponsor special events, such as Del Corazon, a performing arts festival.

PROS: amazing artwork
CONS: when was the last time you were in Pilsen?

Sweet Pea's Studio

This unusual place offers yoga classes for baby and mom, as well as pre-natal classes to help expectant moms with breathing and movement pre-labor. Can anyone really prepare? Well, this place at least helps moms-to-be relax and exercise in a supportive environment. Massages available here, too. Heaven for mom.

PROS: unusual yoga focus on moms and babies
CONS: why don't more people know about this place?

Without A Trace Inc

Ok, you've somehow damaged your favorite seude or leather jacket. Where do you take it? To the dry cleaners? Do they really know what they are doing? This is your answer; the store can mend, clean, restore, and otherwise return your leather item to the exact shape you remember. Now you didn't think this clothing repair would come cheap, did you?

PROS: hope for your hopelessly ruined leather jacket
CONS: you will pay

Aiko's Art Materials Import

For many, many years, this Clark Street store has been selling beautiful art papers imported from Japan. You will feel transformed to another place just stepping inside the door. There is a wonderful assortment of papers for painting and anything else you can dare to imagine, a selection of brushes and inks, homemade books of paper, cards, and other unusual gifts. The staff is very helpful and knows a lot about the paper.

PROS: beautiful papers and gifts from Japan
CONS: now that you've bought the paper, you're afraid to ruin it

Xyloform

This cool store features modern furniture from a designer who works in higher end furniture, but wanted to create a more affordable line for those of us with much smaller budgets. It's not cheap, but it's unlike the quality you are likely to find in your typical furniture stores. The store holds examples, but you custom order. There are also some interesting accent pieces and rugs available.

PROS: awesome modern furniture
CONS: even though this is the "moderate" line, it is still a financial investment

Off The Bolt

This is the place for those who want to recover their own furniture, make their own drapes, or sew their own designer pillow for a fraction of the price you'd pay at the big name furniture stores. The selection is unbelievable, so it helps to have some idea of what you are looking for. Prices average about a third to half less than you will find in designer boutiques, but it can still be an expensive proposition.

PROS: huge selection of fabrics for the home
CONS: figure out your needs and budget before you shop

Children In Paradise

This children's bookstore features an unbelievable selection of books, games, CDs, DVDs, and other materials all geared for the young ones. There are activity areas and a carpeted reading area, where storytime comes twice a week. Look for special events. Teachers get a 10% discount, too.

PROS: great fun for kids
CONS: they won't want to leave, and worse, they'll want everything in sight