Ever wish you had an active local’s advice on how best to enjoy your own city? We have too, so here are some answers

Amanda Patton
Arts & Artisans

How long you’ve lived here: Seven years.

What you like best about Chicago: The CTA. No joke.

Best meal you’ve had recently: Brunch at Big Jones. P.S. Their dinner is awesome sauce too.

Favorite big-name restaurant: Girl & the Goat. All the hype is true. Tough to get a table there, but go right when they open and get comfortable with the full menu and friendly service at the bar.

Favorite “hidden gem” restaurant: Hopleaf in the Andersonville neighborhood for an unparalleled beer selection.

Best sports bar to catch the game: The Daily Bar & Grill in Lincoln Square. It’s a great place to eat and hang out, and everyone knows your face.

A great night out with friends usually includes… a stop by Fine Spirits for a cocktail and appetizer, then a short cab/bus ride to Wrigleyville to catch an Improvised Shakespeare show at the iO Theater (8 p.m. Fridays), followed by dinner and craft beer at Goose Island Wrigleyville. Wrap the evening up with live music (no cover after 1:30 a.m.) at the Green Mill cocktail lounge in Uptown.

Favorite store or best shopping area: Arts & Artisans is a downtown must. I may be biased, but I love and cannot live without their jewelry!

The best way to spend a spring Saturday in the city: Spend your morning at the Art Institute or the Museum of Contemporary Art. Then hit some shops downtown and lunch at Taste of Lebanon to fuel the Andersonville shopping spree and late-afternoon craft brews at the Hopleaf.

One thing every visitor must do here: Walk through Millennium Park.

Secret Chicago spot: Konak Pizza and Grill (5150 N. Clark) in Andersonville.

Underrated activity in the city: Walking or biking along the lake shore.