Let the Chicago favorites keep comin'!... Pick list #10 is from Jess, the lead singer of the band Absinthe & The Dirty Floors. Jess has a great list, half of which are huge favorites of mine (hello, Violet Hour!), the other half are friendly reminders of places I definitely need to check out (Sweet Cakes' patio!) ...see if any of these peak your interest ::

1. FAVORITE SHOP/BOUTIQUE? (gift, clothing, design, etc.)

Reckless Records :: (3) locations | click here for details
Call me unoriginal, but there's nothing better than rifling through stacks of records next to cute hipster boys who thrive on the coolest band you've never heard of. A new record = happiness.

2. FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP/CAF??

Mercury Caf? :: 1505 W. Chicago Avenue, Noble Square

3. FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Rose Angelis :: 1314 W. Wrightwood Avenue, DePaul/Lincoln Park
It's simply the best Italian food I've ever had. Located in the first floor of a house, you can wait in one of two bars across the street and they'll call you when your table is ready. Romantic, affordable, and the food is simply amazing.

4. FAVORITE BAKERY, SWEET SHOP or ICE CREAM PARLOR?

Sweet Cakes Bakery :: 935 N. Damen Avenue, Ukranian Village
(two words:) The patio.

5. FAVORITE "TOURIST-Y" DESTINATION? (that non-tourists love)

Chicago River Architecture Tour :: Chicago's First Lady Cruises
It never seems to get old.

ADDITIONAL FAVORITES YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

The Violet Hour :: 1520 N. Damen Avenue, Wicker Park
They won't let you stand, you can't use your phone, they play Portishead's Third and you could have a mafia meeting with the Mayor and none would be the wiser...

Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind :: 5153 N. Ashland Avenue, Uptown
30 plays in one hour, the price of a roll of the dice, and everyone gets pizza... and with the crew constantly writing new plays, it's a new show every time. Fantastic!

Thanks so much to Jess from Absinthe & The Dirty Floors for her picks... and if you love good music, definitely go here to listen to Absinthe's entire debut album, the Damen Stop.

top & bottom images c/o A&TDF
all other images are from the respective company's website or yelp* Chicago.