Good morning! I’m excited to share with you another edition of the Chicago Neighborhood Guide today. I hope you all have been enjoying these guest posts as much I have. Today’s neighborhood feature is Old Town which is another one of my favorite areas in the city!
Sharing with us her neighborhood today is my friend Josselyn! Josselyn and I met through a women’s Bible study at our church. She shares my appreciation for exploring new restaurants and we try to get together every month or so to check out a new place with our other friends Callie and Hannah.
Here are some of her favorite places in Old Town/Gold Coast:
Best Beauty Boutique and Place to Get an Eyebrow Wax: Arch Chicago, 1359 N. Wells St.
This place has it all! From amazing make-up and hair products, to my favorite candles, to eye brow waxes and blow-outs, this is a great little shop! I’ve been going here since they opened for my brows, and have never been disappointed. The owners and staff are all super friendly, and will help you pick out the perfect product. They carry high end cosmetics but the overall feel of the store is very inviting – not overwhelming like some of the other boutique stores you see in the area. This is also a good place to go if you’re bored and want to check out what new products have arrived as they change frequently.
Best Pizza: Connie’s Pizza, 1030 N. State St.
This is actually a south-side favorite that recently opened up in the “Viagra Triangle” next to Morton’s Steakhouse. The pizza is amazing! This family owned business uses the freshest ingredients, and piles on the toppings! The “middleweight” pan pizza is my favorite. The crust is thicker and crispy and the layer of cheese is just perfect. It’s also far less overwhelming than typical deep dish pizza. They also have a full service Italian menu with great salads and appetizers. Connie’s is a great place for groups or just a casual night out!
Best Mani/Pedi Salon: Elegant Nails, 1446 N. Wells St.
Manicures for $10…how can you beat that?! This new location just opened up (they were previously on Clark St), so they now have a ton more space and hardly ever a wait. The owner Sue is so sweet, and they always carry the new colors for the season. It’s very clean, and the manicures last longer than most do!
Best Brunch: Kanela Breakfast Club, 1552 N. Wells St.
This cozy spot on Wells Street has an amazing selection of breakfast AND lunch items. I’m not a huge “brunch” fan, so I really like the variety of the menu at Kanela with many sweet and savory breakfast choices, along with salads, soups and sandwiches. All choices are delicious and very fresh! My personal favorites are the Kanela Roll (their version of a cinnamon roll) and the Chicken Avocado sandwich. They also have some outside seating out front during the summer.
Best Bar: Zebra Lounge, 1220 N. State St.
This is truly a hidden gem as it is located in the main level of an apartment building off State Street. It’s a historic piano bar which is probably the size of someone’s family room. There’s just one main room, a bar and the piano. If you go early, you can nab a seat around the piano. It does get crowded and seems to be gaining in popularity, but it’s a nice change from the other bars in the area.
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Josselyn introduced me to her favorite brunch spot, Kanela, and it was definitely love at first bite! I love walking up and down Wells St. in the summer time seeing all of the people dining outside at the different restaurants. One of my favorite summer festivals also happens to be in Old Town – the Wells Street Art Festival. The Second City is also located in Old Town which is a definitely must do in Chicago.
Thanks Josselyn for sharing your neighborhood with us today!
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