Ravenswood is lucky to be undergoing a green renaissance, starting with organic hot dogs and ice cream at Drew's Eatery and sustainable brewing at Half Acre Brewery. Now there's another organic eatery on Wilson near Damen, the City Provisions Deli.

An offshoot of the City Provisions catering company of the same name just down the street, City Provisions is the brainchild of head chef Cleetus Friedman, a Baltimore transplant who's been working in restaurants since before he could legally hold a job. His interest in healthy, wholesome food provided by local farmers led him to create City Provisions, the catering arm of his operation that operates as almost more a philosophy than a business.

City Provisions employees consider themselves less mere waiters than conversationalists who are genuinely interested in facilitating what you, the customer, need. After a visit to the deli, you just might find yourself needing some of their seasonal sandwiches, such as the lamb, pork or duck, or any of the soups, dessert offerings or sustainable coffees.

Most items in the deli are less than $10, and the location is suited to takeout. Stop here before taking the Metra up to Ravinia for a specially prepared Ravinia picnic basket.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Bill Burman