Rugby heads and those who just like good scotch will feel at home at
Black Rock.
Exiting at Addison on the Brown Line may seem a dull choice. But, like so many things in life, a closer look reveals much more than that passing first glance (and if you want to go to any of the spots around the currently closed Paulina stop, you'll have to get off here for the time being). You can get a manicure and pedicure, a new 'do, a quick car tune-up, shop for groceries and pick up a gift in one fell swoop. It may not be the Brown Line's shining star, but it does give off an appealing glow.
Best of the nightlife
Black Rock
Buried among the condos in West Lakeview, Black Rock is worth digging around for. A watering hole for Chicago's sports enthusiasts, this Irish pub particularly pleases the local rugby fans, who can always catch a match on one of multiple flat screens. A large moose head sporting seasonal decorations resides over the top of the bar, watching urbanites enjoy a pint o' Guinness or one of 19 single malt scotches.
Good for groups
Xippo
Xippo may look like a nondescript neighborhood restaurant, but after midnight the eatery-turned-watering hole transforms a quiet residential corner into the hippest place in the 'hood. By sunset, both local and visiting partiers want a taste of Xippo's classic cuisine or a sip of a signature chocolate orange martini. The venue is ideal for sizable crowds on a warm evening; giant doors open from a trendy, wooden and red-velvet interior onto a sidewalk beer garden spanning the building's exterior.
Cheap eats
Burrito House
Chicago's late-night burrito restaurants have long provided much-needed sustenance to the after-bar crowd. While Burrito House serves as a destination for tipsy-yet-hungry patrons, what sets it apart from other establishments is its size, decor and menu variety. Burritos and taco are certainly prominent, but the hungry masses can also find fajita burritos, a lengthy nacho menu, tortas and hefty dinner combinations. Word has it the fish tacos are to die for.
Where to chill
Armanetti Wine Shoppe and Beverage Mart
The well-appointed Armanetti Wine Shoppe provides the wine connoisseur with nearly everything there is to enjoy about wine, from educational seminars and weekly wine tastings to a wine club that features discounts. But it's not just for oenophiles; the shop features one of the best beer selections in town, including everything from the finest Belgian ales to local brews from Two Brothers and Three Floyds.
In-the-know spot
Terragusto
Chalk up Terragusto's buzz to these three key words: organic, local and sustainable. Husband and wife team Theo and Meghan Gilbert's menu changes weekly and reads like a list of everything you wish you could pump out of your own kitchen. The hand-shaped pasta (made with "the world's best eggs") is crafted daily by the big front window and served perfectly al dente. Try the tagliatelle alla Bolognese, a house favorite consisting of egg ribbon pasta covered in a creamy Bolognese-sauce of veal, pork, lamb and beef. Don't forget to bring along a bottle of wine - that'll at least help offset the high cost of the food.
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