Jaunted

Where To Eat:

· Bluebird Restaurant
See that trio of German sausages pictured above? We sat down to eat that a few days ago, and was it ever worth forgetting about not eating carbohydrates and too much meat; you just don't say no to German sausage and pretzels. Also on the menu is rabbit, a giant juicy pork chop, and perfectly salty flatbreads. It's a great local restaurant for an informal meal at the end of a busy shopping day. 1749 N Damen Avenue.

· Sultan's Market
A cheap yet filling option, Sultan's is one of those places that locals swear by. Don't drive too fast down North Avenue or you'll miss it; it occupies a prime corner spot perfect for people-watching. Or sit back in one of the booths under Arabian lamps and dig into a chicken shawarma. Another informal joint, you order at the counter. 2057 W North Avenue.

· Duchamp
Sporting a clean, minimal yet warm interior of wood tables and walls, Duchamp sets the stage for a hearty meal, best taken with friends with whom you can circulate plates. It's all about the artisanal, and entrees like "Roasted Roulade of Salmon with Pear-Kohlrabi Savory Strudel & Apple Cider Nage" especially get our salivary glands working overtime. A little pricier than the first two restaurant options, it's still nowhere near having to don a dinner jacket. Hell, they offer a $25 3-course dinner prix fixe menu even. 2118 N Damen Avenue.

OMG look! Parking spaces! Also, art and the El train.

Where To Shop:

· Renegade Handmade
Like a store version of the Renegade Craft Fair, Renegade Handmade features only local crafters and their wares. We always go in for the printed posters, detailed greeting cards, and the odd perfect gift item. 1924 W Division Street.

· Hejfina
This is a boutique known internationally for having one of the best curated selections of clothing and accessories. At any given time, you can score Alexander Wang's new line of bags, Vena Cava dresses, Rag & Bone denim, and Engineered Garments jackets. Make it your first stop when looking for a well-made, statement look. 1529 N Milwaukee Avenue.

· Bonnie & Clyde/Gamma Player
A tad lower priced than Hejfina, since Wicker Park really is all about the great design, these two shops stock some of the hardest-to-find, lusted-after labels. At Bonnie & Clyde's: Vivienne Westwood, Ksubi and even Project Runway winner Christian Siriano. At Gamma Player: Hussein Chalayan and Henrik Vibskov. This stuff is even hard to get in New York! B&C: 1751 W Division Street. Gamma Player: 2035 W Division Street.

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· Chicago Field Trip Stories [Jaunted]

[Photos: Jaunted]