Best & Cool Bars in La Grange

"Restaurants American River North. A healthy-fare-meets-comfort-food concept informs the menus at this cheerful River North restaurant and, to be sure, many of the dessert offerings—like the chia pudding with coconut milk and pomegranate—cleave to this ethos. And then there’s the Oh My!"

"One of the best ways for families to experience Beatrix is via its coffee and pastry bar, which is a full-fledged bakery inside the restaurant. The selection offers an overwhelming array of muffins, breads, cakes, scones and more. Something Beatrix does exceptionally well is cookies, particularly the chocolate chunk cookie."

"The duck feast at this James Beard Award-winning spot in Uptown includes a whole roasted duck to feed a family, carved tableside, and served with steamed bao, hoisin sauce, and crispy garnishes. You’ll also get a delicate duck soup, and duck fried rice. As with most Chinese cuisine, not a morsel goes to waste."

"West LoopWhen this West Loop pioneer opened back in 2003, the elegant yet approachable eatery quickly made a name for itself thanks to sleek communal tables, a forward-thinking wine list, and, most importantly, the juiciest medjool date dish the Midwest had ever encountered. Plump dates undergo the full hog treatment here, plied with spiced chorizo sausage before being wrapped in a thick slab of bacon, fired until crisp and crackling, and doused in a warm piquillo pepper tomato sauce that practically demands a hunk of good, freshly baked bread. Don’t think, just order.How to book: Reserve via Tock or order take-out and delivery via DoorDash, GrubHub, and Caviar."

"This long-time West Loop favorite is a pioneer in the business-oriented district, drawing crowds with vibrant Mediterranean cuisine. Small and large plates almost demand ordering extra, just to sample as many flavors as possible. Roasted skate wing is exemplary of the kitchen's finesse with seafood, while memories of chorizo-stuffed medjool dates will keep you up at night."

"UptownMake like modern day Scarface at this landmark cash-only jazz bar, known for incredible live music, stiff cocktails, and a deeply seedy history as Al Capone’s Prohibition-era headquarters. Rumor has it a network of tunnels still lies beneath the floorboards, connecting the watering hole to different former gangster hangouts all over the Northside. It’s touristy, sure, but the spooky-swanky atmosphere—not to mention the world-class nightly performances—is well worth waiting out the crowds.How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating."

"The Green Mill has embellished the Chicago nightlife for over a century. The club’s rich heritage attracts a crowd of all ages who come to enjoy the jazz performances as they lounge and sip on some heady cocktails. This long art deco bar and its throbbing atmosphere are also famous for hosting Hollywood movie stars and celebrities."

"One of Chicago’s best craft beer stores moved into a larger space in Roscoe Village and recently began food service. While Bitter Pops’ ownership stressed that it will be a taproom first, its chef wants to push the boundaries of pub food. They’ve brought over spice bags from the U.K., stuffing them with seasoned fries and peppers."

"The J. Parker, the all-seasons rooftop atop Hotel Lincoln, offers sweeping views of a frosty Lincoln Park Zoo and Lake Michigan. Their outdoor seating now features heaters, plus a glass retractable roof and floor-to-ceiling windows for plenty of air circulation. If you’re looking for wintery cocktails, their seasonal selection include a variety of hot toddies."

"The J. Parker is a Chicago restaurant with a view of the Loop, the lake, and all of the greenery in between. This restaurant is located in Lincoln park, away from the heart of downtown Chicago. It’s right across from the zoo, too, so there’s a good chance you’ll catch some animals roaming beneath you from high up in this lounge."

"Restaurants Ice cream parlors East Village. After peddling her gelato all over town to the city's best chefs and markets, Jessica Oloroso found a fitting home for her first storefront in Ukrainian Village. There, she lures folks with boundary-pushing scoops of gelato such as avocado-cinnamon and sesame-fig-chocolate chip."

"Another cooling dessert worth highlighting is the gelato at Black Dog Gelato, which the brainchild of crafty pastry chef Jessie Oloroso. Her offbeat gelato flavors are fascinating, not only in surprising ingredient combinations, but in silken texture and illustrious hue. You really can't go wrong with any of the them, from the rich malted vanilla to the goat cheese-cashew-caramel."

"Ukrainian Village, West Loop, & Logan SquareThis tri-location neighborhood gem starts with traditional Chicago-style gelato made with fresh local ingredients, then spices things up with modern medleys like mango hibiscus, goat cheese cashew caramel, and malted vanilla pretzel."

"Edgewater & Rogers ParkSpecializing in decadent custards, thick-as-thieves concretes, and sensational sundaes,Lickity Split is a veritable shrine to the sweet tooth. But it's their take on a banana split which stands in a league all its own. The ripened star of the show is topped with both vanilla and chocolate frozen custard before undergoing an onslaught of chocolate sauce, pineapples, strawberries, peanuts, and whipped cream.A dessert classic preserved for a new generation, whoever said, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to,” never got the scoop on this spot."

"Lickity Split is a retro-style sweets and ice cream shop in Edgewater that makes its own frozen custard fresh every day. There are only three flavors (chocolate, vanilla, and a specialty flavor that rotates every few weeks), all of which are fine on their own. But you need to order one of the concretes - i.e. custard blended with mix-ins."

"The main focus of Ron of Japan Steakhouse is top-quality steaks and seafood prepared teppan-style at the table-side by showman-like chefs. Entree options include steaks, chicken, a..."

"Bua Hana is a contemporary and casual Forest Park eatery serving Japanese and Thai creations, including some top-notch sushi. Diners can mix and match from what's essentially three..."

"This is one of those restaurants that assures you of its authenticity with its loyal following of transplants from Asia, who regularly show up for a taste of home. Though small, the dining room is lined in wood and is constantly filled with sushi fans that say this is the best maki and nigiri in town. You can also get your fish cooked, if you prefer."

"(Primary Neighborhoods: Various events and locations, city and suburbs). The family-run food truck Aztec Dave’s has been serving mobile Mexican food in Chicago since 2015. The focus is on the family’s grandmother’s recipes but with a modern spin."