Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Northerly Island

"It’s interactive performance art — think an apple-flavored balloon that actually floats and gelatin bites that taste like a Chicago-style hot dog. Chef Grant Achatz has led the famed Lincoln Parkestablishment since 2005, earning the most elite accolades in the culinary world. Today, it’s one of 15 restaurants to hold three Michelin stars and is frequently named among the best restaurants on the planet."

"The cuisine is a lesson in mastery, but also a blend of modern science and practical magic. Air-filled balloons are edible, senses of taste, touch, smell are tested, mental and emotional boundaries are pushed. The menu, an ever-shifting chameleon, is a reflection of the wizards in the kitchen, led by chef Grant Achatz himself—no two meals are ever alike."

"There are now two Avecs - the original in the West Loop, and a newer (much larger) River North location. They have almost identical menus, but the classic Avec is our favorite, mainly because we’ve had so many incredible meals there. The Mediterranean small plates here are consistently delicious, so order whatever sounds good to you."

"End your evening with dinner at Avec, an adorable, modern and warm spot where you can dine tapas-style. You absolutely must order the chorizo-stuffed dates. Holy moly, they are incredible!!!. You can thank me later."

"One Off is also responsible for The Publican and Pacific Standard Time. These are all good date restaurants in Chicago. Plan the perfect outfit for your date in Chicago."

"Restaurants Delis Greektown. Offering a modern take on old-school deli traditions and flavors, Rye Deli & Drink cranks out a menu of quality eats that are crafted by hand using sustainably sourced ingredients. Bagels are made in-house daily and come in flavors like blueberry, za'atar and blue masa with cinnamon; they're upgraded with labneh shmear to create the ideal morning handheld."

"Rye Deli & Drink just opened in the West Loop and has a great selection of handmade bagels. Along with the usual suspects like blueberry, sesame, and poppyseed, they also have varieties like thyme and sea salt or blue masa with cinnamon. And instead of cream cheese, they have labneh shmears with flavors like melted leek or roasted strawberry and honey."

"Pizza, hotdogs, tacos, burgers, ramen, fried chicken - Chicago boasts a bounty. What we sorely lack are great Jewish delis. The new Rye Deli & Drink fills the void nicely with quality ingredients and handmade techniques - which is precisely what you want in your steamy bowl of matzoh ball soup and warm bagels."

"Magnolia Bakery features a vintage design and crafts unique creations fresh every single day and serves some of the most delicious cupcakes and muffins. If you like your breakfasts to consist of something sweet (like my mother, who grew up working in our family bakery), Magnolia’s is one of the best bakeries in Chicago to visit. Choose any one their various muffin flavors for just $3.50 and bam—your morning’s made."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user joe goldberg used under CC BY-SA 2.0. If you’re passing by this neighbourhood, a stop at Magnolia Bakery is strongly recommended for their much-talked-about banana pudding. It has been deemed ‘all things divine’ by several customers, so why miss out?"

"Stationed in the Gold Coast, The Little Beet Table is an entirely gluten-free establishment, with a mostly vegetable-friendly menu. Choose from sunflower hummus sprinkled with za’atar and ready to be scooped up with vegetable crudité, or opt for cauliflower and mushroom tacos, stuffed with black beans and avocado. The airy, sun-drenched space offers a not-to-be-missed happy hour, where everything from snacks to cocktails and wine is $7."

"The Little Beet Table has locations in both New York City and Chicago. This hot spot in Chicago’s Gold Coast sets the stage for a great night after work or while exploring the city. The menu includes great dishes like sunflower hummus, baby kale salad, mushroom and black bean burger, charred cauliflower, rigatoni and cauliflower and mushroom tacos."

"This New York import strives for healthy, gluten-free choices that center on vegetables. Instead of a traditional chickpea hummus, Little Beet Table makes its version with cauliflower and dresses it with sorghum, seeds, red onion, and dill."

"Of the numerous buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed around Chicago, none is more famous or influential than Robie House. Because its horizontal lines resembled the flat landscape of the Midwestern prairie, the style became known as the Prairie style. Inside are 174 stained-glass windows and doors, which you'll see on the hour-long tours (frequency varies by season, but there's usually at least one tour per hour). Advance tickets are highly recommended."

"Named one of the 10 most significant buildings of the 20th century by the American Institute of Architects, the 9,000-square-foot Robie…"

"Address: 835 N Rush StSaturday Mass Times: 1:00pm, 3:00pm, and 5:15pmA/C: YesCost: $2,500.00, there may be an additional fee for musiciansParishioner?. NoTime for photos after: 20 minutesCan you bring your own priest?. YesOther info to note:The chapel seats 299 people."

"This center dedicated to the famous artist is located in Jefferson Park, and with its bright mural you can’t miss it. You can check out an iPod at the front desk for a self-guided tour, or visit the first Thursday of the month at 2pm for a thirty-minute guided tour."

"Located in Pilsen, the National Museum of Mexican Art is the only museum dedicated to Latino culture that’s a member of the American Alliance of Museums. The museum has over 9,000 examples of Mexican art from ancient Mexico to the present as well as special exhibitions. While technically free, they do ask for a donation if you can spare it."

"Founded in 1982, this vibrant museum – the largest Latinx arts institution in the US – has become one of the city’s best. The vivid permanent collection sums up 1000 years of Mexican art and culture through classical paintings, shining gold altars, skeleton-rich folk art, beadwork and much more."

"If you saw the world in the stars at the Chicago Adler Planetarium, you’ll see a vibrant and beautiful new world in the National Museum of Mexican Art."

"Lincoln Park Conservatory has been a beautiful getaway since the 1890s. Inside, you’ll find tropical palms, ancient ferns, and plenty of other exotic plants."

"Polk Bros Fountain and Plaza at the entrance of Navy Pier greets children with an exciting 12,500 square foot signature fountain (during warm weather) with more than 150 programmable jets that mimic the movements of waves, schools of fish and flocks of birds. While at the park, kids will have fun posing with the vibrant “Meet Me at the ‘P’” art installation."

"Located at the entry point of the Pier, I have a love/hate relationship with this fountain. I love how happy it makes my water-obsessed toddler but I hate how long it takes me to coax him into leaving. The 12,500 square foot fountain isn’t just a regular fountain."

"At 280 acres, Big Marsh certainly lives up to its name, but this far southeast side public park—opened in 2016 in the Calumet Area Reserve—is still a relative secret to most locals. The park includes 45 acres of recreation areas designed specifically for mountain and BMX biking and casual trail riding. The rest (234 acres) is a nature preserve great for hiking and bird-watching."

"Whether you want to relax with a nature walk or go on an adventurous hike, this park is a great place to check out. Forty-five acres of the park are dedicated to more intense endeavors, such as hiking, adventure courses and off-course biking. The other 235 acres is devoted to more passive activities like bird-watching and nature walking."