A skip away from the Grand stop on the Blue line offers this River North escape of a European-style coffee house, stocked with a wallet-friendly, sandwich-heavy cafe menu and a full bar that slings drinks to post-midnight lounge crowds.

Forgo the laptop literati visions. Although Iguana does cater to them with free wi-fi and ample electrical outlets, the lofty, floor-to-ceiling windowed space, shadowed in plants aplenty and a fireplace, draws a tranquil social crowd, tables more likely to be stocked with parties of more-than-two sipping $7 glasses of wine and nibbling on build-your-own crepes.

That is, speaking afternoon and on. Breakfast and lunch are very much standard cafe moments. Mornings have recently seen an expansion from basic bagel and muffin fare to egg dishes, with clientele spanning those just in need of a caffeine fix to West Loop creative types seeking a menu stasis between Starbucks and restaurant for morning meetings. While an equally diverse lunch crowd adores those aforementioned sandwiches for their plethora of ingredients – seven types of bread, specialty cheeses, fine Italian meats – starting at a slim $4.25, served with a side of pasta or potato salad.

Otherwise, think $6 share-ables like baked goat cheese and tirokafteri (spicy feta cheese spread) when you and your friends are tired of each other’s living rooms, but don't want to sacrifice the cash.

Average cost: <$10

Centerstage Reviewer: Gavin Paul