After 30 years on Rush Street, Chicago restaurateur Jay Emerich has moved into this cozy lounge and restaurant in the heart of Little Italy. He lives next door, so to him, Jay's on Taylor feels like a mom and pop joint.

Sit at the bar in the front room with a glass of Vermouth, and you’ll likely meet Jay, sauntering around in stylish black with a gold chain around his neck. A younger version of him appears in a painting behind the bar, lighting up an Ashton cigar, and the framed photos adorning the walls are all of Jay and his famous pals: Frank Sinatra, Harry Caray, Ryne Sandberg.

If you actually came here to eat, head to the back room and the white tablecloths, and prepare for a plate of pasta the size of your head. Jay's a meatball and salad guy, himself.

The thin-crust pizza is popular as well, and Jay's will deliver it within the neighborhood. He claims that the locals helped him craft the menu. Create your own pie with a long list of ingredients, both meaty and fresh. Almost everything on the menu is between $8-$15, to the liking of local college students, though steak and seafood dishes cost a bit more.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jacob Wheeler