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Centerstage is thankful for...a lot of things, it seems.

Friday Nov 09, 2007.     By Centerstage Chicago Staff

Lifestyle Feed

It's no big secret that the Centerstage Staff is a pretty big fan of Chicago. So when it came time to give thanks, we had a little trouble narrowing things down. Here are the winners.

Centerstage is thankful for...

The long hours of operation, free wi-fi, happy baristas and excellent coffee at The Grind. There's no problem a tiny leaf pattern in your latte can't fix.

The consistently impressive recommendations, eclectic stock and decidedly unpretentious nature at Groovin' High Records, which make it a choice place to buy music (thus evaporating the monthly food budget).

*Kim Bellware

Lincoln Square—its wide array of food (like Garcia's, Rosded, and Spoon Thai) kept me happy while I was pregnant and now its cute shops (like Enjoi and Timeless Toys) provide the perfect place to push the pram around.

Intelligentsia for keeping my boyfriend employed and keeping me properly caffeinated.

*Christy Bonstell

The free happy hour pizza at Cardozo's Pub and everything at Hackney's in Printers Row.

David Barton Gym (my pants are thankful for it, since they fit even after eating at the above).

*Erin Brereton

Lake Michigan, which provides early morning solace and a safe path to ride my bike to and from work.

The Lincoln Park Conservatory. Located on the western edge of the Zoo, the greenhouse is a perfect tropical vacation, if only for a few hours.

*Pasha Carroll

Our favorite parks—Welles Park, Manor Park, River Park and Gross Park—where Junior can run, climb, chase, bark, fall, slide, swing, topple and hang, and where I can sit and not have to think about wanting a yard.

*Robert Duffer

The free wi-fi, Intelligentsia coffee and the pleasant, low-key atmosphere at Pause. How many days have I come here seeking refuge from my apartment and a quiet-ish place to write?

The West Loop gallery district's fabulous art scene, particularly gescheidle gallery. Thanks for putting on awesome contemporary art shows and keeping Chicago's art world on the map.

*Alicia Eler

The view of the skyline, whether day or night, each time I hop onto an expressway heading downtown. I also want to take this opportunity to apologize to the dozens of people whose cars I almost crashed into trying to pinpoint Marina City (a wacky obsession) during the drive.

The Bricktown XSport Fitness. The girls at the front desk are a bowl of raspberries, a set of stilts and a pinata filled with gold dollars every single day. The amenities are endless and the eye candy is motivation without the insane cost of personal training sessions.

*David-Anthony Gonzalez

Chicago Public Library's "Great Kids Museum Passport" program, supplying me (and other not-quite-grown-up adults, as well as actual children) with hours upon hours of educational wonderment, from the deep-blue depths of Shedd Aquarium waters to the tour of taxidermy at the Field Museum.

The fine musicians at the Red Line Jackson stop who attempt to chase away travelers' CTA blues with their funky, eclectic showcases.

*Paige Gray

The vibrant improv scene in Chicago, and the stupendously creative (and hilarious) people in theaters such as Second City, ComedySportz and IO that make it all happen.

*Kent Green

Skylark's hearty, crisp-to-perfection tater tots chased down with a wincingly strong, yet inexpensive, Maker's and Coke. It's the perfect place to people watch—just slink into a concave booth at this smoky, dark establishment and gaze on the tattooed art kids, seat-warming regulars hunched over the bar, and the occasional naked dude.

The tiny, low-on-the-radar Vietnamese restaurant, Nha Trang in Northwest Logan Square, which has the most exquisite, peanutty pad Thai for 5 bucks! It's run by a charming husband and wife duo; she waves excitedly from the kitchen every time I walk in the door and he lavishes warm hospitality beyond compare when serving—while always remembering "no fish sauce."

*Jen Hazen

Sonotheque for always being in tune with what's going on in dance music and catering to the true electronic music fan (even if it doesn't have a dance floor). Unlike most clubs, where the music is an afterthought to the cover charge, here you can party to rare Brazilian grooves and West African pop, or see modern tastemakers like Diplo, Peanut Butter Wolf and Flosstradamus. Heck, even David Cross DJed here once.

The food at Bite Cafe—whether I'm in the mood for a veggie burger or something more fancy (like guajillo-marinated tofu with a black bean and quinoa mash), it's always delicious, upscale and never pretentious. With such a diverse menu, and an amazing nightly special, Bite is always the go-to spot when I'm dining with meat-eaters.

*Maya Henderson

The transcendent chocolate aroma wafting from the Blommer Chocolate Company on my bike ride to work—an amazing morning pick-me-up.

*Jessica Herman

Handlebar for being down the block and always having delicious fare that I'm totally in the mood for even when I can't decide what I'm in the mood for.

The Unicorn Cafe for providing (I state with pride) nearly my entire circle of friends in Chicago. The little Evanston institution continues to have the coolest baristas, tastiest homemade soup and most delightful mix of college students and local regulars.

*Sharon Hoyer

The make-your-own panini menu at Iguana Cafe ; no matter how many roasted veggies I pile on, it never seems to cost me more than six bucks.

The Green City Market's Winter Market; it'll keep stocking fresh, locally grown vegetables 'til December inside the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum.

*Dana Kavan

The Mexican chocolate bread pudding topped with melting vanilla ice cream at Lakeview's Angelina, which is just enough dessert to share while holding hands under the table on date night.

Hopleaf's juicy marinated pork chop, which dares you to resist picking up the bone and gnawing it at the table. Wash it down with one of the bar's potent Belgian brews and you'll be in a certifiable food coma.

*Elisabeth Kilpatrick

The Friday and Saturday night prime rib special at Charlie's Ale House in Andersonville. It's so tender and tasty, it's like eating fresh slabs of meat straight off the cow. And I should know, because I've done that for real.

The old and grizzled hobo I see daily at the Argyle L stop. His bright and shining face reminds me that my life is pretty good, so I'm considering asking him to be my pretend-grandpa. Or is that weird?

*Benjamin Moore

Pint's please-all-types atmosphere, which makes it easy for my roommates and I to decide where to go on any given night. Thanks to the at-your-table TVs, above-average bar food and occasional free shots from flirty bartenders, we never have those frustrating "I don't know, where do you want to go?" discussions.

The sandwiches at Al's Deli. Even if I don't make it back to the tiny family-run shop nearly often enough, the memories of crusty baguettes piled high with the freshest meats, cheeses and condiments leave me with a fondness for college that no amount of donation-grubbing phone calls can erase.

*Ben Rubenstein

The Chicago Diner's vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner, which lets me enjoy a meal that consists of something more than just side dishes.

*Jenny Seay