wickerpark

Goodbye Jane's

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I have a soft spot for restaurants that are about to close after decades of serving customers. I think, deep down, I know my parents' restaurant will experience it soon and that I'll need to go through the emotional roller coaster of saying goodbye.

When I heard that Jane's was closing on July 9th, I quickly made a reservation to go. Jane's is a little, cozy, neighborhood spot in Bucktown near the corner of Cortland and Paulina. I must have biked or walked by half a dozen times but never stopped in and I wish I had earlier. 

Most of the customers at Jane's seemed like regulars and seemed to know each other and the waitstaff. The interior of the restaurant had dark wooden panels and a high wooden ceiling. I instantly felt like I was in a small town, pretending for a moment that I wasn't in the middle of a gigantic concrete city. It's places like Jane's that make living in a metropolitan area sometimes bearable. The sudden realization that there is a community around me that is inviting, friendly, and kind.

Wicker Park Stole My Heart

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Each neighborhood in Chicago has its own unique charm, but I love calling Wicker Park home. To me, Wicker Park is about expression, diversity, and community. It has an artsy, hipster vibe, emphasized by colorful murals, art galleries, thrift stores, and coffee shops.

I often get asked about my favorite places in the neighborhood. I've done a lot of exploring over the past several years and here are some of my Wicker Park faves:

EATERIES

  • Picante Taqueria - favorite tacos (check out $2 Taco Tuesdays and get the al pastor)

  • Goddess & Grocer - great salad bar (plastic free cutlery and water glasses are a bonus)

  • Falafel & Grill - order an entree plate and get a generous helping of rice, a side salad, hummus, and pita bread

  • Letizia's Natural Bakery - the softest, chewiest homemade bagels (I'm not a fan of really thick, dense bagels)

  • Enoteca Roma - the same owners of Letizia's, this is my favorite Italian restaurant in the city and it has a charming back patio (Nando Milano Trattoria is a close second)

  • Craft Pizza - favorite thin crust pizza

  • The Bento Box - favorite Asian food in the area (must try the egg rolls and the chicken Singapore noodles)

  • MAK - for a healthier version of Asian food (satisfies my cravings without making me feel totally gluttonous)

  • Jeni's Ice Cream - the lines aren't too bad at this location

  • Small Cheval - favorite burger and great outdoor seating

  • Filter - friendly cafe with lots of space

  • Taxim - Greek small plates with tables usually available

STORES

  • Crossroads Trading Co

  • Paperdoll

OTHER THINGS TO DO

  • Walk through Wicker Park

  • Visit the Wicker Park Farmers Market (usually June-October)

  • Explore the 606

  • Check out the Bucktown-Wicker Park Public Library

Falafel & Grill

Falafel & Grill

Letizia's Natural Bakery

Letizia's Natural Bakery

Enoteca Roma

Enoteca Roma

Enoteca Roma

Enoteca Roma

Taxim

Taxim

Taxim

Taxim

Summertime Meal Planning

Oh, how I love and cherish summertime! As a Chicagoan and lifelong Midwesterner, I grin and bear the harsh winters knowing that one day, I'll be gifted with warm summer days. And like all good things, summers seem to fly by in a blink of an eye!

One of my favorite things to do on Sundays in the summer is visit neighborhood farmers markets. The Wicker Park Farmers Market is the closest to me but occasionally, I enjoy the variety of booths at the Logan Square one.

Meal prepping in the summer can be hard since I first see what's seasonal at the farmers market and then plan my meals around those vegetables. During the winters, I plan my meals during the week and keep a running grocery list.

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of tomatoes, spring onion, and spinach. I'm thinking scrambled eggs with tomatoes and spring onion, spinach for smoothies and if I have anything leftover by the end of the week, I'll throw together some chili.

Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August.
— Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty