Photo: Kristine Sherred

Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar

While Ed Marszewski has been known around town for all kinds of activities and activism, including the annual Version multimedia festival, over 100 issues of Lumpen magazine and eight of Proximity, the journal of art and urban studies, part of his life has always been centered around his mother’s bar in Bridgeport. Once known as Kaplan’s Liquors, Maria’s, family-owned since 1986, is a Chicago tavern in the classic style, half bar and half liquor store. Its latest transformation from dive bar to community asset opened in August, retaining features of the old tap room while adding an art deco cooler, chandeliers made of beer bottles; butcher block tables and co-partner Mike Marszewski’s beer-can collection in the bathrooms. Ten beers are on tap and close to a hundred craft beers and microbrews are stocked, with a rotating seasonal beer list and freshly concocted cocktails each month. Art, DJs and events are part of the tapestry as well.

960 West 31st
(773)890-0588
communitybar.wordpress.com

Audience choice:

Binny’s Lincoln Park
1720 North Marcey
(312)664-4394
binnys.com

Best of Chicago 2010

Green City Market

The original bad boy celebrated by super-green eats queen Alice Waters just keeps getting better. The expansion into more prepared products from the fruit pates of Flora Lazar to the freshly fried Italian donuts of Zullo’s has augmented one of the best raw food offerings in the Midwest and made Green City a can’t-miss weekend affair for discerning foodies.

1750 North Clark
(773)880-1266
chicagogreencitymarket.org

Audience choice:

Green City Market

Best of Chicago 2010

It’s A Wonderful Life: Live at the Biograph!

‘Tis the season in Chicago theater. Boy oh boy, ’tis the season. Ever since the Goodman proved that a recurring show like “A Christmas Carol” could be both a financial cornerstone as well as a gateway for new audiences, the entire Chicago theater world has jumped on the bandwagon, with dozens of upbeat holiday shows filling the Advent calendar (except, notably, Steppenwolf, who offers something of an antidote to the overdose of cheer each season at this time). Thankfully, most companies have found their way to pretty decent shows, after some overly saccharine productions in the early days, which means you’re unlikely to go wrong anywhere. Our current infatuation is American Blues Theater’s staging of the radio play version of “It’s A Wonderful Life,” which they’d originated as the founding ensemble of American Theater Company. (They’ve since parted ways, though ATC also continues to produce a respected version of “It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play.”) Set in the beautiful new Richard Christiansen Theater at Victory Gardens Biograph, last year’s American Blues production was full of authentic, old-fashioned Christmas cheer, surging perhaps with extra adrenaline as it represented the rebirth of this beloved Chicago ensemble. Regardless, director Marty Higginbotham really knows how to make this show work: he was the original director at ATC in 2004 and has helmed the show ever since. With a lovable cast, a Foley artist on stage recreating the golden era of radio sounds and a free-flowing high spirit, we defy you to walk out with your Grinch face on. We’ll be the ones with tears on our cheeks.

American Blues Theater at the Victory Gardens Biograph Theater

2433 North Lincoln
(773)871-3000
americanbluestheater.com

Audience choice:

“A Christmas Carol” at Goodman Theatre

170 North Dearborn
(312)443-3800
goodmantheatre.org

Best of Chicago 2010

L20

Technically you can’t really take this stuff home, but the only things better than the seafood at this Michelin three-star temple are the creamy pain au lait, micro-baguettes with chewy crumb and rich crunchy crust, mini-anchovy-stuffed croissants and bacon-infused bread twists made in L20’s Pavailler, a steam-injected stone-floored oven that ensures a quick airy rising crumb that doesn’t dry out.

2300 North Lincoln Park West
(773)868-0002
l2orestaurant.com

Audience choice:

D’Amato’s Bakery
1124 West Grand
(312)733-5456

1332 West Grand
(312)733-6219

Best of Chicago 2010

Crabcake from Gemini Bistro

Sweet ring-molded lump crab splashed with a peppery Tabasco aioli, crunchy, freshly toasted house-made croutons and a smart petite salad renews one’s faith in the dish that launched and sunk a thousand gourmet restaurants.

2075 North Lincoln
(773)525-2522
geminibistrochicago.com

Best of Chicago 2009

Lincoln Hall

The shiny new club in the old Three Penny space is so fresh it still has that “new-venue” smell. A somewhat upscale bar—with a fine beer selection, one might add—leads the way into a two-level mid-sized rock joint, a decent open space to swallow up the topnotch sound system as the balcony hawks rest at tables. From the brothers that own Schubas, Lincoln Hall looks to expand on the tradition its sibling venue has implemented. Last weekend, the Eccentric Soul Revue blitzed a nearly full house as swooners swooned and musical love was made.

2424 North Lincoln
(773)525-2501
lincolnhallchicago.com

Best of Chicago 2009

L20

L20 is probably what you’d get if you threw Napa Valley’s French Laundry, New York’s sushi dream theater Masa, TRU and Alinea into a blender and poured it out in the old Ambria space in the Belden-Stratford Hotel. Featuring the best fresh-bread service in Chicago, the most exciting sommelier in Chantelle Pabros and Chef Laurent Gras’ super-duper micro-managed attention to kitchen detail, this restaurant will be tough to surpass for some time.

2300 N. Lincoln Park West
(773)868-0002

l2orestaurant.com/

Audience choice:
Urban Belly
3053 N. California
(773)583-0500

Best of Chicago 2008

Dilly Lily
Rose petals strewn about the entranceway. The floating music of Bebel Gilberto. “When people walk in, we like to put a smile on their face, to change their outlook for the day,” says Christine Gorman, who has co-owned Lincoln Park’s Dilly Lily flower shop with her sister Melissa for the last eleven years. Arrangements are girlish and whimsical with unexpected accents: a curlicue of fiddlehead fern, a palm-sized burst of escheveria, woodcut gift cards, jewelry crafted by neighborhood artists. Upon leaving this dreamy little shop, customers are sent off with a jovial, “Have a Dilly Lily day!”

742 W. Fullerton
(773)404-0602
dillylily.com

Audience choice: (Tie)
Fleur
3149 W. Logan
(773)395-2770

A New Leaf
1645 N Wells
(312)649-7008

Stems
850 N. Ashland
(312)243-4470

Best of Chicago 2008

Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop

From the soft-shell crabs clattering away in the refrigerated case to “Poseidon Adventure”-sea-monster-sized Maine lobster swimming in the corner live well, there’s no better place for fresh seafare. Owner Dirk Fucik is also a stickler for selling only sustainable species, so you can be sure you’re doing both your body and your conscience good when you make your next fish purchase. Fucik also sells the greatest of fresh ocean treats every October through December: never frozen, inherently buttery King Crab a few days removed from Alaskan fishing boats.

2070 N. Clybourn
(773)404-3475
dirksfish.com

Audience choice
Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop
2070 N. Clybourn
(773)404-3475

Isabella

When it comes to lingerie, ladies want a shopping experience that feels as good as the pieces they buy. Enter Isabella. The shop relocated to its Armitage locale last year and the new store is spacious yet intimate, allowing shoppers to peruse undies with ease. The staff is helpful without being overbearing and can answer questions about any of the pieces—from maternity to swimwear, gowns to robes, not to mention everyday staples that will make you throw your granny panties away for good.

840 W. Armitage
(773)281-2352

Audience choice
Victoria’s Secret
Multiple locations

Best of Chicago 2008