Cakegirls

Striped, solid or flowered purse cakes—they look so real! Fancy cakes for large parties are available, too. Just call the designers at Cakegirls (sisters Mary and Brenda Maher) and tell them what you have in mind. They’ve created cakes in the shape of a baby carriage, Eiffel Tower, sushi dinner, boxing gloves and green eggs & ham. They’ve made Queen Latifah and countless brides smile.

2207 W. Belmont
(773)404-3147
thecakegirls.com

Best of Chicago 2008

Lenny and Me

This popular resale/consignment shop in Wicker Park is known for its quirky vintage wares. In addition to eclectic clothing and jewelry, Lenny and Me offers a selective array of classic and contemporary women’s hats. The shop sells a rotating collection of twenty-five to thirty hats on any given day: “church lady” pillboxes, wool caps, fur-lined bombers and beautifully crafted vintage cloches. But if you’re looking for something to wear to a Cubs game, you’ll have to go to Lids; at this kitschy hipster shop, there’s nary a baseball cap in sight.

1459 N. Milwaukee
(773)489-5576
lennyandmechicago.com

Audience choice:

p+L boutique
2956 N. Clark
(773)248-3758

Best of Chicago 2008

Hungry Brain

Roscoe Village’s quaint pub remains one of the best bars in the city not only because of its warm, charming décor (the stage, dotted with couches and a community table is a nice touch) but also because no one is ever there. You’ll rarely, if ever, have a difficult time finding a seat for you and your friend(s) at a table or at the bar itself, and the music, while always agreeable, is kept at a safe distance from your conversation. So talk politics, talk art, talk relationships and, best yet, talk at a normal volume, and do so while taking down a Guinness, because for some reason it tastes especially good here.

2319 W. Belmont
(773)935-2118

Audience choice
(Tie) Danny’s, 1951 W. Dickens, (773)489-6457; Violet Hour,
1520 N. Damen. (773)252-1500.

Best of Chicago 2008