The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

Chicago InsiderOther Recent Articles
Home›featured-blogs›Chicago Insider›Chicago Insider: Laura Dietzel on the genius of Jimmy Bannos, farmer’s markets and sitting outside at Big Star

Chicago Insider: Laura Dietzel on the genius of Jimmy Bannos, farmer’s markets and sitting outside at Big Star

By TheRealChicagoOnline
June 17, 2013
480
0
Share:

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

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

Name: Laura Dietzel Laura Dietzel - in red

How long you’ve lived here: Seven years.

What you like best about Chicago: Urban jungle meets Midwest — a big city with a big heart.

Best meal you’ve had recently: Sienna Tavern. Do not forget to order the meatballs lest you live in regret the rest of your days.

Favorite big-name restaurant: Purple Pig. Jimmy Bannos Jr. is a genius.

Favorite “hidden gem” restaurant: VOLO (2008 W. Roscoe). Escape to the tucked-away patio in the back to get away from the hustle and bustle of the street. You’ll be glad you found it!

Best sports bar to catch the game: The Scout — perfect for Bears games and walking distance to Soldier Field.

A great night out with friends usually includes… ending up at Hangge Uppe or Kingston Mines, if we do it right. Chicago does many things well — the lounge, the club, the Irish bar — and at the end of the day, the best nights out require the same ingredients: good people, good music and fun. It’s good to get away from the trappings of long lines, bouncers, bottle service and scene sometimes.

Favorite store or best shopping area: Bucktown/Wicker Park for unique finds and shops with ROOF at The Witpersonality.

The best way to spend a summer Saturday in the city: Start the day running or biking on the lakefront path, enjoying the city scenes, boats on Lake Michigan and pretty people (seriously, sometimes you can’t tell during the winter under sweaters, boots and parkas that Chicagoans are actually ridiculously in shape). Then head over to the Lincoln Park farmer’s market for delicious fruits, veggies, meats and cheese and procure the freshest ingredients for your brunch masterpiece. If you aren’t much of a chef, brunch in the city, preferably outside, is a must on a Saturday. You can post up at Perennial Virant on the patio for a beautiful meal overlooking the park.

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

For the remainder of your afternoon, find the nearest street festival and check out the neighborhood scene. In the evening, find an alfresco dining option – Fulton’s on the River is a nice treat. If you’re up for cocktails, head to a rooftop. Try ROOF at the Wit for the lounge/party scene, and Trump for some romance.

My goal every weekend in the summer is the same: Plan to spend the maximum amount of time outdoors because the chill of the Chicago winter is never that far off!

One thing every visitor must do here: In the summer, an architectural boat toPhoto by Clayton Hauck for Second Cityur. Year round, the Willis Tower observatory deck (it will always be Sears to me!) or the Hancock observatory to check out the city lights.

Secret Chicago spot: Maude’s Liquor Bar, upstairs: dark, sexy, French. Obsessed.

Underrated activity in the city: There is so much more to Chicago than drinking, sports and deep dish (sorry, I definitely prefer New York style!). The comedy club scene is fantastic. Other than The Second City, there is Zanies and ComedySportz among the many other establishments that will have you in hysterics.

If you had to pick one place to eat or drink outside in July, where would it be? Big Star patio. Just keep the pitchers of margarita and specialty tacos coming por favor!

 

Your ads will be inserted here by

Easy Ads.

Please go to the plugin admin page to set up your ad code.

TagsBig StarBucktownChicago architecture boat tourComedySportzFulton's on the RiverHangge UppeJimmy BannosKingston MinesLaura DietzelLincoln Park farmer's marketMaude's Liquor BarPerennial VirantPurple PigRoof at The WitSecond CitySienna TavernThe ScoutTrumpVolo ChicagoWicker ParkWillis TowerZanies
Previous Article

The Local Corner: Exploring the Milwaukee and ...

Next Article

First Look review: Kiss Kiss Cabaret at ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • Around Town

    Summer fun with the family

    August 10, 2010
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • General Features

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

    July 28, 2019
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • OldThe Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Chicago farmers markets signal the start of summer — and fresh deals

    June 5, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Jill Franczyk on five courses at Sepia, a love of Rick Bayless and the best live music venues

    December 28, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Inside ScoopOld

    Inside Scoop: Free Chicago events, major music festivals, restaurant deals and more

    May 30, 2014
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • My Chicago

    My Chicago: When the weather is nice, where is your favorite place to take a stroll in the city?

    May 18, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Doughnut delight: These sweet treats are popping up all over in Chicago

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    The Halsted boutiques: Don’t be afraid to break away from Michigan Avenue to explore some of Lincoln Park’s trendy shops

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    A very good year: Check out some of Chicago’s top new restaurants

  • LATEST REVIEWS

  • TOP REVIEWS

Timeline

  • November 11, 2021

    Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

  • July 31, 2019

    Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & Ash

  • July 30, 2019

    First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater experience

  • July 28, 2019

    Finger lickin’ good: Six trusted Chicago spots for a stellar barbecue experience

  • July 25, 2019

    The Big City Blog: Four Friday Night Flights beer tastings remain this summer, including July 26 in Ravenswood

Latest Comments

  • The 14 Best Fireplaces in Chicago | UrbanMatter
    on
    October 11, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: The Real Chicago […]

    Cozy on up: We asked active Chicagoans for their favorite spots to warm up in the ...

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum | FreeForAll.org
    on
    January 16, 2017
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • Why You Should Visit a Museum – FreeForAll.org
    on
    October 23, 2016
    […] Photo Credit: Therealchicago   […]

    It’s cold out there: A few spots to warm up this winter

  • The Real Chicago – The Big City Blog: A very Chicago night on the town
    on
    May 31, 2016
    […] up was The Redhead Piano Bar for drinks and live music. I’ve said it before ...

    Friendly, unfussy, and serious about music: Hanging with Marshall Nelson from the Redhead Piano Bar

  • Scouting Logan Square: A Renewed Historical Neighborhood - The Annex, a blog by Casamatic
    on
    March 10, 2016
    […] (cover photo via The Real Chicago) […]

    The rise of Logan Square: Why this diverse area has quickly become one of Chicago’s hottest ...

Find us on Facebook

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
  • Latest Posts

  • Inside Scoop: Massive FoBAB beer festival returns to Chicago this weekend, Nov. 12-13

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    November 11, 2021
  • Chicago Insider Etienne Padin on obscure museums, shopping in Andersonville and dining at Maple & ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 31, 2019
  • First Look review: CMX CineBistro provides a fun, fresh take on the luxury dine-in theater ...

    By TheRealChicagoOnline
    July 30, 2019

Photostream

    Follow us

    © Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.