Just voted for the Chicago Reader “Best in Chicago” awards online! Figured I would share my answers since everyone asks me on Twitter and Facebook about my Chicago favs! (BTW, sorry did these fast, was in a rush, sorry if missed anyone!) You should vote too! (Especially for my places! haha) Voting ends this weekend so go to http://bestof.chicagoreader.com/ now!
Best car wash :: We’ll Clean
Best BBQ :: Fat Willies
Best Brewpub :: Goose Island
Best Coffee Shop :: Intelligestia/Aspire at home….chitowns peeps!
Best Cupcakes :: 3 way tie – Foiled (on twitter), Sweet Mandy B’s (near my house) or Swirlz (for boxes to friends!)
Best Fashion Designer :: Maria Pinto
Best Interior Designer :: Nate Berkus
Best Thrift Store :: Salvation Army
Best brunch :: Rockit on hubbard (live acoustic, gourmet bloody mary’s, mimosa kits at your table, amazing brunch menu… come on!) Or riverside café in bucktown
Best shoe store :: Niketown
Best garden store :: kinsella landscaping
Best gym :: HERO Fitness and equinox
Best home furnishings store :: smart rooms in merchandise mart
Best alfresco dining :: Patio at RBG Wrigley (in nice neighborhood, and can see Wrigley field scoreboard from table)
Best bagels :: ashkenaz
Best college :: U of I champaign urbana
Best gelato :: n/a, I eat peanut butter and chocolate skinny cows with extra crunchy peanut butter globbed on twice a day
Best grocery store :: whole foods
Best Indian restaurant :: vermillion
Best margarita :: que rico
Best Mexican restaurant :: el tapitio
Best Middle Eastern restaurant :: reeza’s
Best new restaurant :: kith kin
Best burger :: Rockit Bar & Grill (“good morning america” gave chitown the nationwide recognition for the rockit burger to beat all cities out- love it!)
Best seafood restaurant :: Joe’s
Best splurge :: avenue at peninsula
Best sushi :: Sunda (not many people get entire fresh fish anymore and cut them up right there and then, hands down best!) Best wine shop :: House of Glunz
Best liquor store :: Binny’s
Best pizza :: connie’s and malnatis
Best drink specials :: ½ off wine on Mondays at rockit (actually can get really nice bottles!)
Best cocktail list :: Sunda drink list is pure heaven- I invented the “bd superfresh sakitini” that should win this award in itself! Actually, they are all that good
Best dive bar :: Richard’s
Best 4 AM bar :: underground, not many places still packed at 4am, 5am saturdays
Best night of the week to go out :: Saturday, I know its so mainstream, but its just true, and I love people watching. Best smoking area :: far away from me
Best hotel for an in-town getaway :: Peninsula
Best record store :: grew up going to dr. wax
Best local music blog :: www.assault.it
Best dance club :: Underground, you know you are the best when don’t have an actual cheesy dance floor but can make everyone dance!
Best local band :: Plain White T’s & Lovehammers
Best local hip-hop artist :: kanye
Best local DJ :: Rock City
Best local tribute band :: South of 80 and elevation
Best bartender :: Andy Lee at Rockit River North
Best music venue to play :: Metro
Best music venue to watch :: House of Blues
Best music festival :: Lolla
Best movie theater AMC on Illinois
Best art gallery :: Carrie Seacrist
Best museum exhibit :: TRex Sue
Best public artwork :: art institute and mca
Best touring play :: lookingglass “alice”
Best off-Loop theater company :: Lookingglass
Best late-night theater experience :: wiener circle
Best stand-up comic :: Conan O’Brien
Best sketch/improv troupe :: improv olympic and second city
Best dance company :: Loveabulls count?
Best burlesque troupe :: Baton Club
Best antique store :: Golden Triangle
Best bike shop :: village cycle
Best mani/pedi :: hasn’t happened, yet!
Best massage :: Maria at Backup Therapeutic
Best mechanic victor castro at perillo on clark
Best movers :: Bill & Phil Movers
Best place to adopt a pet :: PAWS
Best Cubs bar :: Rockit Wrigley, can see scoreboard from table while watching our tv’s
Best Sox Bar jim beam club, great buffet
Best billiards :: rockit river north baby! The best.
Best bowling alley :: lucky strike
Best canoe/kayak rental :: Lincoln park
Best golf course :: Medinah Country Club
Best dance class :: Arthur murray and dance center chicago!
Best music teacher :: Scott Arkenberg at St. Clement
Best yoga studio :: classes at peninsula spa
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