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Eater
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Eater
A New Printer's Row Bar Proves Vital to Locals
has been a regular contributor to Eater Chicago since 2021. She's written for Chicago Tribune, CS, Block Club Chicago, OpenTable, Time Out Chicago, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Magazine, and So Good. For Jennifer Wilson and James Shields, there's personal motivation behind opening Vitalogy, their new bar on the ground floor of a 142-year-old brick building in Printer's Row. 'One of the biggest things when we bought this space is that we love this street,' Wilson says. 'We live here, and we wanted to be something that was inviting to the neighborhood and not only uplifts it, but hopefully uplifts some of the other businesses, too.' Open since early June, Vitalogy has established itself as a neighborhood hangout with weekly specials and a happy hour. On a recent weekday visit, the room was decked out with rainbow decorations for that evening's Pride celebration. The 18-seat wood-topped bar was almost full with solo imbibers and couples. Plans are in place for community-focused activities, cocktail classes, and live music from local musicians. For their beverage list, the couple leaned into their travels and love for Chicago for inspiration. Beer options include Spain's Estrella and Belgium's Delirium Tremens and Chicago's Old Irving and Printer's Row. There's a handful of wine options, non-alcoholic drinks, and THC- and CBD-infused drinks. Of the 10 house cocktails, Shields is especially proud of the Second City Milk Punch — a clarified milk punch with Jeppson's Malört. 'It's not everybody's cup of tea, but it gets a lot of compliments,' he says. The Second City Punch is made with Jeppson's Malort. Vitaology Expect seasonal cocktails with fresh herbs being grown in a hydroponic garden in the bar's glass-enclosed wine room toward the back of the space. Originally, the couple didn't plan on serving food, but a discussion with their alderman's office made it clear that wasn't an option. They enlisted a French-trained chef friend who also lives in their building as a consultant. The couple didn't want to disclose where the chef worked. The chef hired the staff and developed the menu, no easy feat as the small kitchen relies on only a convection oven and induction burner to cook its food. The concise menu includes small plates like roasted nuts and chickpeas, and chicken and steak skewers. Larger plates include beef and vegan cheeseburgers on a brioche bun. For dessert, there's a chocolate chip cookie skillet, a root beer float, and a THC creamsicle soda. To transform the former secondhand store into the bar of their dreams, the couple was adamant that the interior of the 1,300-square-foot space reflect the vibe of the neighborhood. The build-out took three years, and reclaimed items are used throughout, including a vintage leaded glass door at the entrance. They worked with a carpenter who had built several Chicago bars in the past, with Vitalogy being one of the last before he recently retired. For its name, they stuck close to home. Formerly a printing company, like many of the ones surrounding it, this building focused on children's books, including The Wizard of Oz. It also holds several encyclopedias, one of called Vitalogy, a health and wellness-focused book printed in 1916. The fact that it's also the name of a Pearl Jam album was a bonus. A glass case displays a copy of that book along with a few others. For now, the couple will remain at their day jobs — Wilson works in finance, while Shields is in tech sales. They'll continue to head over to Vitalogy after work and on the weekends, just like other locals in the neighborhood. 'These days it seems everybody's doing multiple gigs,' says Wilson. 'This is a heck of a side hustle, though. I've joked that we could've just bought a car and driven for Uber, but this has been much more fun.' Vitalogy, 723 S. Dearborn Street, (872) 318-2118, open 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday; 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Saturday; and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Eater Chicago All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Eater
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
The Best Dishes Eater Chicago Editors Ate This Week: July 25
The editors at Eater Chicago dine out several times a week, if not per day, which means we're always encountering standout dishes that deserve time in the limelight. Here's the very best of everything the team has eaten this week. Rasam from Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen and Bar in Park Ridge Rasam from Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen and Bar. Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago Chicago is coming off a streak of consecutive 90-degree days. So why am I telling you to travel to the Northern Suburbs and try some soup? Because South Indian food is just so haute right now. As common with other international cuisines, Americans are realizing that first to market doesn't always tell the full story and that there's more to Indian food than butter chicken (though butter chicken allegedly is making a little bit of a come back). Americans loved tiki, so might as well give them some tropical vibes off the Malabar Coast in Southern India. Particularly Keralan cuisine, where beef and pork often shine, has seized the spotlight and Chicago is seeing more and more restaurants. Having South Indian blood, I've been skeptical about what dishes are getting attention, and I've seen some restaurants flounder despite being hailed as the next big thing. In Park Ridge, Thalaiva's Indian Kitchen and Bar soars with an ideal mix of fun items — like fish fries and an array of Indian coffees — as well as the stuff I grew up eating at home in Chicago. I feel 'homestyle' is kind of dismissive, but the rasam served hit all the right notes; it's a healing vegetarian elixir full of tamarind and tomatoes that helped power me through a number of bitter Chicago winters. We ate it with a little basmati rice mixed in. At Thaliva's, they'll bring out a small gravy boat, a ladle, and cups. You might opt to slurp it down with a spoon or sip it slow with a utensil. Remember: South India is no monolith. We like both dosa AND idily, thank you. We just love our carbs which brings me to a realization: How can you tell if an Indian restaurant is good? Just keep an ear out for the sweet sound of a glucose monitor alarm. That's our people's tell, and I heard a chorus of them at Thalaiva's. — Ashok Selvam, lead editor, Eater Midwest Shrimp lumpia from Cebu in Lincoln Square Shrimp lumpia from Cebu. Ashok Selvam/Eater Chicago There is such thing as bad lumpia. It can be soggy. The wrapper to filling ratio can go awry. The fillingcould be rancid, even when fried to a golden crisp. I write this as a reminder not to take quality lumpia for granted. Along Lincoln Avenue, Cebu has found a niche as an all-day restaurant with Filipino American flavors. The mid-afternoon menu is great on weekends for families, and the pork lumpia might be the best in the city. These aren't the bite-sized lumpia you might prefer. They're a little longer and meant to be savored. For dinner, Cebu amps its lumpia up with shrimp. As a big fan of the pork version, I was skeptical: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But after a single bite, my tastebuds were singing a different tune. Shrimp was a simple yet decadent upgrade. I don't know if there's such thing as a perfect lumpia, but Cebu's nighttime offering has me wondering if we're getting close. — A.S. Neapolitan pizza from Coda di Volpe in Lakeview Coda di Volpe specializes in Neapolitan pizzas. Sandy Noto/Coda di Volpe Chicagoans seemingly love to debate pizza just about as much as they enjoy eating it. Deep-dish versus tavern-style is an eternal battle that will never be decided, but they're not the only pies deserving of your attention. Detroit-style squares have exploded in popularity in recent years, and there are also plenty of quality options for New York slices (no judgement) and traditional Italian pizzas. This past week, I visited Southport Corridor favorite Coda di Volpe to try some of its Neapolitan offerings. The restaurant is one of few in the city that's VPN-certified, a designation given to pizzerias by the American affiliate of the Naples-based Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. This means the pies are made under certain parameters with approved equipment, which in theory should produce more consistent and superior results. Of course, it's still possible to have a bad Neapolitan pizza while adhering to these guidelines, and vice versa, so the certification isn't the be-all and end-all. It's been several years since I'd been to Coda di Volpe, but the three pies I sampled that night — margherita, mortadella and pistachio, sausage and soppressata — all hit the mark. The blistered, chewy crust surrounds a soft and gooey center, making it the perfect base for a smattering of toppings. The mortadella and pistachio pie stood out in particular — the savory pork, buffalo mozzarella, and nutty pistachio pesto all complementing each together harmoniously. It was worth braving the congestion around the neighborhood that coincides with a Cubs home game. — Jeffy Mai, associate editor, Eater Midwest Taiwanese beef noodle soup from Minyoli in Andersonville Minyoli is a Taiwanese restaurant offering noodle soups, popcorn chicken, and more. It's been a hot week in Chicago, so naturally I was in the mood for… noodle soup. Taiwanese restaurant Minyoli opened in Andersonville last year, giving the North Side a much-welcome spot to enjoy the East Asian country's specialties. While the chilled sesame noodles might've been more appropriate given the weather during my visit, I decided to go with what the kitchen is best known for, and also Taiwan's national dish — niu rou mian, or beef noodle soup. A bowl of eight-hour bone broth arrives teeming with bouncy, homemade noodles, pickled mustard greens, and tender beef (with the option of adding tendon as well) that's braised with black bean and spicy broad bean sauces. I added a little more heat with some chile oil, which really made the dish sing. Temps be damned, you should order this complex and wholly satisfying noodle soup year-round. — J.M.
Eater
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
How to Escape The $20 Cocktail
Skip to main content Current eater city: Chicago A guide to Chicago's best happy hour drink deals Jun 30, 2025, 4:20 PM UTC Lisa Shames has been a regular contributor to Eater Chicago since 2021. Although Chicago's embracing of happy hour was late to the easy-on-the-wallet party — it only became legal in 2015 — it's made up for lost time ever since. It's at the point where not offering some sort of special seems strange. With that abundance in mind, we opted to do two separate guides. This one highlights places where specially priced happy hour drinks are the focus, and the other spotlights places where you'll find terrific food and drinks. If bottomless brunches are more your thing, we've got you covered here. For a breakdown of 14 can't-miss drink-focused happy hours from Andersonville to Hyde Park, explore the map below. Schedules, prices, and menus can vary significantly with little notice, so patrons would be wise to check out a venue's website before making plans. We've added plenty of newcomers from the West Loop's Bisous and Logan Square's Spilt Milk to Ceres Cafe in the Loop. — Additional reporting by Sam Nelson A guide to Chicago's best happy hour drink deals Jun 30, 2025, 4:20 PM UTC Lisa Shames has been a regular contributor to Eater Chicago since 2021. Although Chicago's embracing of happy hour was late to the easy-on-the-wallet party — it only became legal in 2015 — it's made up for lost time ever since. It's at the point where not offering some sort of special seems strange. With that abundance in mind, we opted to do two separate guides. This one highlights places where specially priced happy hour drinks are the focus, and the other spotlights places where you'll find terrific food and drinks. If bottomless brunches are more your thing, we've got you covered here. For a breakdown of 14 can't-miss drink-focused happy hours from Andersonville to Hyde Park, explore the map below. Schedules, prices, and menus can vary significantly with little notice, so patrons would be wise to check out a venue's website before making plans. We've added plenty of newcomers from the West Loop's Bisous and Logan Square's Spilt Milk to Ceres Cafe in the Loop. — Additional reporting by Sam Nelson The team behind Logan Square's Whistler unveiled this come-as-you-are Avondale haunt in 2018 and rapidly attracted a cadre of loyal fans with a sizable lineup of cider and sour beers, as well as a wide variety of live music acts. Happy hour specials run from 6 to 8 p.m., with $2 off all beer and cider drafts (except PBR) Monday and Tuesday, $5 well drinks Wednesday, and $8 draft cocktails Thursday. Additionally, from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, there's a $5 rotating shot. 3734 W Belmont Ave (Ridgeway), Chicago, IL 60618 (773) 654-3971 (773) 654-3971 Visit Website One of the city's best bars is tucked behind Rush and Division and Mariano Park on the bottom floor of a 1927 Art Deco apartment building. Sparrow is a charmingly moody spot inspired by the rum bars of Havana from years ago. Find $5 drafts and $10 glasses of wine from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. 12 West Elm Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610, United States Visit Website With a name that celebrates the little wins in life, Little Victories is one of those neighborhood bars everyone wants to call their own, no matter where they live. A square bar in the middle of the room encourages conversations, while the dart board and pool table are there for the competitive types. It's all-day happy hour specials (4 p.m.-midnight Sunday through Wednesday, 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, noon to 2 a.m. Saturday) add to that neighborly attitude. Belly up for specially priced beer ($4 to $5), wine ($8), a house vermouth-infused shot ($5), and a daily cocktail special ($9 to $10). 1725 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622 (312) 248-3484 (312) 248-3484 Visit Website Perhaps you'd like to combine your weekday imbibing with some high-tech shuffleboard? At the Loop's Electric Shuffle (from the same folks as nearby dart-focused Fight Club), happy hour 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday features $10 margaritas, espresso martinis, and house pizzas along with $5 beer, wine, seltzers, and fries.
Eater
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
Eater Chicago's Ashok Selvam Wins James Beard Media Award
The 2025 James Beard Foundation Media Awards took place on June 14 in Chicago, and Eater Chicago's Ashok Selvam won the Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award. The award recognizes, according to the Beards, 'the work of an individual who engages readers through enterprising food and dining coverage, and whose work displays versatility in form, such as reviews, profiles, cooking, quick hits, and hard news reporting.' Leading Eater's Midwest region including Chicago, Detroit, and Twin Cities, Selvam was recognized for his enterprising reports like his coverage of the aftermath of Etta Collective's bankruptcies and a feature on the evolving cuisine of Indian American chefs, as well as more light-hearted writing, including a spotlight on the milkshakes that helped White Sox fans endure a losing season. In addition, Punch was recognized with a journalism award in the Beverage category for Craig Sauers's feature story on the Herculean challenges that distilleries face in Thailand. This award recognizes 'distinctive style, thorough knowledge, plainspoken prose, and innovative approach in a single article on alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.' These wins came among six nominations for Eater and Punch, including nominations for Eater correspondent Jaya Saxena for the MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award, Eater Chicago freelance contributor Nylah Iqbal Muhammad in the Foodways category, Eater's video team in the Commercial Media category, and an additional nomination in the Beverage category for Punch contributor Mickey Lyons. This marks Eater's 13th and Punch's fourth James Beard Media Award in the past eight years. Elsewhere at Vox Media, Gastropod co-host Nicola Twiley won in the Literary Writing category for her book Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves from Penguin Press.
