Heaven on Seven is, after all, one of those places that I keep on hand when company visits, when friends or strangers ask for recommendations of a true Chicago dining experience, or when I want the best Hurricane in town.

Boasting the “best Louisiana cookin’ outside New Orleans,” Heaven on Seven offers a menu full of cajun delights from po’ boys to etouffee to red beans and rice. No matter what you choose, be sure to get a cup of their famous gumbo on the side - you won’t be sorry.

What do I recommend? I’m glad you asked! I love the Cajun Fried Chicken Salad (with a cup of gumbo). Sometimes I’ll order the Chicken & Andouille Sausage Quesadillas appetizer as a meal (with a cup of gumbo). Oftentimes, I’ll go all out and order a big bowl of gumbo and just dive in with some good crusty bread! My husband always gets a po’ boy sandwich (with a cup of gumbo, of course) - there are 12 to choose from! No matter what you order, you can spice it up to your liking with one of the many hot sauces that you’ll find hanging out in the middle of your table.

Heaven on Seven
111 N. Wabash (7th floor, duh!)
or
600 N. Michigan Ave. (2nd floor)

The atmosphere at LuLu’s is low-key and casual, but the food is anything but low-key. While perusing the menu, we watched tray after tray of deliciously plated food pass by our table. I finally settled on the Ginger Chicken Salad, which was enormous and proved that salads do not have to be boring. The simple plate of greens, panko breaded chicken, green beans, and a ginger salad dressing was the perfect light (yet filling) dinner. Jeremy chose the Thai Panang Coconut Curry, which featured breaded shrimp atop yellow noodles, with yellow curry and green beans. I snuck a bite and, trust me, it was goooood.

LuLu’s also has an unexpected selection of red and white wines, as well as sake, teas, and unique desserts.

On Monday and Tuesday evenings, as well as Saturday and Sunday mornings, LuLu’s offers “Munch a Bunch,” which, they say, gives you a chance to sample almost everything on the menu. I’m sure we’ll be back for that soon!

TIP: LuLu’s is just a short walk from the purple line station in Evanston, so even if you don’t live there, it’s an easy trip for a great meal.

LuLu’s
804 Davis
Evanston, Illinois

Buddy Guy’s plays hosts to artists with various styles of blues music, from local artists to international stars (Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones, and Stevie Ray Vaughan to name a few). I was there with friends a few weeks ago and heard Sharon Lewis, who was spectacular. I went with another group this weekend and saw Nick Moss and the Fliptops, another great band, but with a completely different style. You can’t go wrong!

So, if you haven’t been to Buddy Guy’s Legends - get there! And get there soon, because the popular Chicago blues club will be closing at its present location in the next couple of months. Although it will be reopening at a yet-to-be determined location and date, everyone should really experience the legend of Buddy Guy’s in it’s current historic location.

TIP: Buddy Guy’s does not take reservations, so I recommend going early and enjoying a yummy cajun dinner before the concert (that way you’re sure to have a table when the music starts). Check out the menu on the club’s website (below). Also, take some time to look around - the walls are a colorful museum of blues history.

Buddy Guy’s Legends
754 S. Wabash
Chicago IL, 60605
312-427-0333

Having just returned from Paris (the city of love, lights, and CREPES), I was happy when I found out that friends chose Icosium Kafe as the location of this month’s group breakfast.

Specializing in Algerian flavors, Icosium offers a wide variety of sweet and savory crepes. I had the old standby - strawberries and chocolate - and I still think it’s the best combination out there. Icosium’s version, with fresh berries and Belgian chocolate, did not disappoint. And the coffee flowed hot and strong - the perfect compliment to my sweet breakfast treat.

The menu offers plenty of combinations to choose from, but if you don’t see what you like, try making up your own crepe. Soups and salads are also included on the menu.

Icosium is the sister creperie to the Coffee and Crepe Palace in Lincoln Park (2433 N. Clark), which is equally appetizing.

Icosium Kafe
5200 North Clark
Chicago, IL
773-271-5233

The staff is friendly and eager to share their enthusiasm for the unique menu, and readily offer drink and food advice if you’re having trouble deciding.

What I loved: The Ceviche de Salmon y Callos (salmon and scallop ceviche) appetizer was a fresh and light and the perfect beginning to the meal. From the drink menu, we enjoyed the Granada Mojito (very sweet) and the Caipirinha (simple, but strong, so be advised!). My husband ordered the Truca Amazonas (trout filled with a shrimp mixture), and it was the table favorite. For dessert, try the Pastel Cuatro Leches (sponge cake soaked in a milk sauce).

Also note that although our waitress told us the servings were large enough to share, I did not find that to be true for our dishes. Although most dishes were plenty to fill us up, one friend ordered the Costilla Estofada (beer-braised ribs) and I’m pretty sure he was still hungry!

We had a reservation and were seated as soon as the complete party arrived. If you get there early, take a seat at the bar, enjoy a drink, and watch the tropical fish in the eight-foot tank behind the bar (look through the tank to see into the kitchen and watch the chefs at work).

Cuatro offers live music later in the evening. For a schedule of events and bands, check out their website.

Cuatro
2030 S. Wabash
Chicago, IL 60616
312-842-8856

Call or click here for reservations.

Eppy’s serves everything from salads to sandwiches to bagels, but is famous for its “temperature soup.” Thirty degrees outside? Your soup cost 30 cents! Sixty out there? Then, hey, your soup is 60 cents. And it’s good soup, too (try the chicken chili)! (I do think Eppys must have been paying customers to eat the soup last week, though… it was that cold!).

Just as well-known as its temperature soup, Eppy’s owner, Larry Epstein, is known by all patrons for his quirky style. Compared by some to Seinfeld’s infamous soup nazi, Epstein is one of the things patrons enjoy most about the deli… but don’t take it personally if he gives you a hard time. He’s just as likely to laugh and say, “You’re the boss” the next time your in there and ask for something off-the-wall. The staff at Eppy’s is also known to heckle each other behind the counter. But, here’s a little-known fact: Eppy’s is staffed with actors from Chicago improv theaters, so maybe we’re just getting a sneak peak at the next big thing.

My recommendation: Although I occasionally switch it up, I’m a creature of habit and usually order the chicken salad sandwich, which is delicious and doesn’t include any crazy ingredients like raisins or nuts that so many restaurants are serving these days. The sandwich comes with your choice of two sides (I love the “sour & salty” chips and the fruit cup) and a drink - all for under $7.

Eppys also has free wi-fi, so pull up your computer and read Girls Guide while you’re having lunch!

TIP: Eppys gives discounts for students, as well as those who live and work in the area (just let them know at check-out which one applies to you). And you might as well grab a “preferred customer” card while you’re there because you’ll definitely be back (ten stamps and you get a free sandwich or a free bagel and coffee).

Eppy’s Deli
224 E. Ontario (Lower Level)
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 943-7797

Fox and Obel is not just a specialty food shop, it is also a personal chef and a cozy cafe. On busy (or lazy!) days, you can stop by the store and pick up freshly made entrees and side dishes from the “Gourmet to Go” section. Or pull up a chair in the cafe for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and order from Fox and Obel Cafe’s classic menu. Nothing warms up a cold Chicago winter day like a warm grilled cheese sandwich and a cup of soup! If you’re hosting a lunch meeting or a special event, check out Fox and Obel’s catering menu.

Cooking classes and events such as wine tastings and book signings are also offered at Fox and Obel.

TIP: Fox and Obel offers free valet parking every day, making it easy to shop there even if it’s not in your neighborhood! You can also park in the AMC movie theater parking deck for 90 minutes with validation. We all know how rare, yet awesome, it is to find convenient (not to mention free) parking downtown!

Fox and Obel
401 E. Illinois
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 410-7301

Calliope bills itself as a “unique sandwich shop,” and they live up to that name with their Fat Bastard Steak Sandwich, Grilled Salmon Sandwhich, and Asian Turkey Burger (not to mention the reasonable prices). Calliope also offers appetizers, soup, and salad. All of their sandwiches, wraps, and grinders are served with their homemade waffle chips (to die for!).

My recommendation: although I’ve never had anything at Calliope that I didn’t like, the Grilled Salmon Sandwich and the Italian Grinder are my favorites.

TIPS: Unlike many restaurants in the city, Calliope offers free parking in a small lot next to the cafe. Covered outdoor seating is available, and the cafe is BYOB (they do offer a nice selection of soda, water, juices, and other drinks). Calliopes also delivers, and offers catering services.

Calliope Cafe
2826 N. Lincoln Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 528-8055

You can’t talk about Quartino without first mentioning the wine. It is, afterall, “where wine is cheaper than water,” and is based on the European tradition of pricing local wines as a cheaper alternative to water. The expansive wine list features a hand-picked selection of Italian wines, many which are unique to Quartino. Many wines can be purchased by the quartino (a little more than a glass), the mezzo (half liter), or the litre (liter), so it is easy for everyone to enjoy their favorites.

Best of all, the wine list explains the wines so that even the beginner can pick out the perfect glass (or bottle… or liter) to suit their taste. My party of four managed to drink two liters of red wine and one bottle of Prosecco (sparkling wine) for less than you might spend on one or two bottles at other restaurants.

Not to be outdone by the wine, the food at Quartino is the perfect accompaniment to great wine and great company. Served on small plates for the whole table to share, the menu features everything from an antipasto menu to pasta and pizza to octopus. Our waiter recommended each person order 2 items and that would be plenty for the whole table, and he was right.

My recommendations are the pan roasted clams in a pino grigio and red chili broth and the broccoli rabe (gotta eat those veggies!).

In the name of research, and so I could inform you all fully on Quartino, I felt it was my duty to test the desserts. We ordered two desserts for the four of us, and although they were both out of this world, one dessert would have been plenty. It’s been five days and I still can’t stop thinking about the Panino al Gelato di Limone (lemon cream gelato sandwhiched between to delectable lemon cookies).

TIP: Call ahead for reservations, or make reservations on Quartino’s website. It was packed when we went on a Friday night, but we had reservations and were seated in about 10 minutes.

Quartino
626 North State Street
(Corner of State & Ontario)
Chicago, Illinois 60610
(312) 698-5000

Red Line to Chicago stop (walk S on State)
or
Red Line to Grand stop (walk N on State)

Bubble Tea is milky tea featuring tapioca balls floating at the bottom of the glass, which not only makes this versatile drink pretty, but also a light snack, as the tapioca can be sucked up through the oversized straw of the cold tea drinks. The Coconut Black Tea, which I tasted served hot, is creamy and indulgent and so perfect on a chilly fall afternoon.

“Integrating eastern flavor with a western twist,” Saint’s Alp offers over 70 types of tea drinks, which can be served hot or cold. If Bubble Tea isn’t your thing, there is definitely something on the menu for you. For example, the Strawberry Black Tea, served over ice, is a refreshing and deliciously fruity energizer. Not sure what to order? Check out the array of pictures on the menu, or ask the staff - they are very friendly and quick to fill you in on their personal favorites.

Considering that much of the menu is devoted to the tea drinks, I expected the food at Saint’s Alp to be an afterthought, but was pleasantly surprised that the pan-Asian food is delicious and cheap. Aside from the “rice sets” (combo meals that include rice, sides, and a tea drink for a whopping $7.50), nothing on the menu is over $5.00. Selections range from Crispy Squid with Salted Spices to spring rolls and dumplings. I recommend the Yakitori Chicken.

Saint’s Alp Teahouse
2131 S. Archer Avenue
Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 842-1886