Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
2020 W. Division St. (at Damen A ve.).
&
773/862-8500.
w ww.miraisushi.com. Reser vations r ecom-
mended. Sushi $2-$6 per piec e. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Wed 5-10pm; Thurs-Sat 5-11pm. Upstairs
lounge until 2am. Subway/El: Blue Line to Division.
152
MODERATE
Club Lucky
Value
ITALIAN Naugahyde banquettes, Formica-topped bar and
tables, and Captain Video ceiling fixtures might seem retro to some, but ev eryone from
young families to stylish couples find Club L ucky both an inter esting scene and a good
deal on good food. The scene her e changes thr oughout the ev ening: Young families
gradually giv e way to stylish couples posing with glasses of the r estaurant's signatur e
martinis. Prices are moderate, especially considering the gener ous family-style por tions.
The large calamari appetiz er—“for two, ” the menu says—will almost cer tainly feed
everyone in your family. The menu offers real Italian home-style cooking, such as
pasta e
fagioli
(thick macar oni-and-bean soup—really a kind of ste w); rigatoni with v eal meat-
balls, steamed escar ole, and melted slabs of mozzar ella; and spicy grilled boneless por k
chops served with peppers and r oasted potatoes. There's no kids' menu, but the r estau-
rant serves sides of pasta dishes and meatballs. The lunch menu includes about a doz en
Italian sandwiches, such as scrambled eggs and pesto, meatball, and I talian sausage.
1824 W. Wabansia Ave. (1 block north of North Ave., btw. Damen and Ashland aves.).
&
773/227-2300.
www.clubluckychicago.com. Highchairs, boosters. Reservations accepted for parties of 6 or more. Sand-
wiches $8-$11; main c ourses $10-$36. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11:30am-11pm; F ri 11:30am-
midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight; Sun 4-10pm; cocktail lounge open later. Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
Jane's
Finds
ECLECTIC Jane's has long been ignor ed b y dining critics on the
hunt for the next big thing—all the more reason to love this inconspicuous charmer. This
does not, however, mean that snagging a table at J ane's is an easy feat. O n the contrary;
this is a hugely popular destination amongWicker Park/Bucktown habitués, who'd prefer
to keep it a secret. It's a neighborhood-y place, and in the early evening, you'll find loads
of young families with tots in to w.
More than anything else, it may be the cozy ambience that attracts diners. J ane's is
ensconced in an old house that has been gutted and r ehabbed to cr eate an open, two-
story space with just 16 tables. (I n summer seven more are set up on an outside patio .)
The menu offers piquant, upscale comfor t food pr epared simply and with lo ving care,
including both meat (duck br east pan-seared with turnips and peaches; sear ed sea bass
with mashed potatoes, ar ugula, carameliz ed pearl onions, and mushr oom coulis) and
vegetarian options, such as a goat cheese, tofu, and v eggie burrito. The salads are stand-
outs, especially the greens with pear, blue cheese, pecans, and balsamic vinaigr ette.
1655 W. Cortland St. (1 block w est of Ashland Ave.).
&
773/862-5263.
www.janesrestaurant.com. Res-
ervations recommended. Main courses $15-$25. MC, V. Sun-Thurs 5-10pm; F ri-Sat 5-11pm; Sat-Sun
10am-2:30pm. Subway/El: Blue Line to Damen.
INEXPENSIVE
Hot Chocolate
AMERICAN If you're looking for a special place to take your kids
for a desser t, look no fur ther than H ot Chocolate. A casual neighborhood spot, H ot
Chocolate is the kind of place y ou can stop in for a brioche and coffee in the morning,
a Kobe beefsteak sandwich at lunch, or a plate of glaz ed pork tenderloin in the evening.
A kids' menu offers grilled cheese, peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches, and other cus-
tomized dishes. H owever, desserts are the main ev ent here. Many, including the apple-
cider potpie and the banana napoleon, with lay ers of carameliz ed bananas, banana
coffeecake, graham crackers, and a topping of banana ice cr eam, use seasonal fr uit, but
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