Ukrainian Village recs (Chicago: neighborhoods, college, live in)

[sfcambridge]

My niece moved to Chicago (college student) and every month or so I try to take her out for lunch and introduce her to one of the Chicago neighborhoods.

So far we went to Pilsen - had lunch at 5 Rabinitos and walked around. She liked the murals along the train tracks. Then Andersonville and had tasty baked goods at Lost Larson and walked around that area.... into bookstores and the Brown Elephant etc.. Took her to a show at the old/new Biograph another time.

Next is Ukrainian Village, where I hope we can get into Kasama. Where would you walk around mid-day that a college student might like? Hopefully it wont be too cold....

[Nearwest]

I can make some suggestions of things to do in Ukrainian Village.

1) The Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago. This museum features thousands of items on display, including clothing, textiles, ceramics, and wood objects. It also has a collection of Ukrainian fine art, such as paintings, sculptures, and drawings.

2) The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. It has permanent collections, as well as exhibitions viewable for a limited time.

3) The Vertical Gallery. This gallery offers an open space for national and international artists to showcase their work. New artists are highlighted at monthly exhibits.

To get a jolt of caffeine, try the Star Lounge Coffee Bar. Its walls feature works by local artists.

[sfcambridge]

Originally Posted by Nearwest

I can make some suggestions of things to do in Ukrainian Village.

1) The Ukrainian National Museum of Chicago. This museum features thousands of items on display, including clothing, textiles, ceramics, and wood objects. It also has a collection of Ukrainian fine art, such as paintings, sculptures, and drawings.

2) The Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art. It has permanent collections, as well as exhibitions viewable for a limited time.

3) The Vertical Gallery. This gallery offers an open space for national and international artists to showcase their work. New artists are highlighted at monthly exhibits.

To get a jolt of caffeine, try the Star Lounge Coffee Bar. Its walls feature works by local artists.

Thank you!

Those do sound like popular choices. Are they in close proximity so parking and then walking will work?

[Nearwest]

Originally Posted by sfcambridge

Thank you!

Those do sound like popular choices. Are they in close proximity so parking and then walking will work?

Yes, the Museum is located on Superior St. The Institute, Gallery, and Star Lounge are along a six-block stretch of Chicago Ave. (2000-2500W).

[sfcambridge]

Thanks for the info.

Has anyone eaten at Tryzub?

I wouldn't have thought Ukrainian food would be an option for lunch, especially as my niece doesn't eat much meat (mostly seafood/vegetarian), but it looks pretty interesting.

[Kmanshouse]

I live in the neighborhood - there are a ton of restaurants.

Along Chicago Ave - a bit more east, you have Provare, Chi-Latin, Brasero, Yuzu - all either new or standbys with excellent food. Forbidden Root is a great spot for a mix of food and beer.

Kasama you will need to stand in line for at least 1 hour outside to get in, for breakfast/lunch. Dinner is a $275 pp prix fixe menu only and very hard to get into.

Tuman's is a friendly divey bar with GREAT food - way better than the usual bar. Skip Barcocina

Skip Lao Peng You unless you like very greasy Chinese food. Tasty, but very greasy.

Plenty of options for a great meal.

[Master Jay]

Kmanshouse, good morning.

You can be my tour guide and show me some of your favorite places in your new hood.

...

I ended up going to Chinatown on Sunday, and then for some good German beers at Himmels, in your old hood.

[Kmanshouse]

ahhh Himmels

[Master Jay]

Kmanshouse,

Can you speak on the pizza at Himmels??

Also, any German places near Ukraine Village, then?

[sfcambridge]

Originally Posted by Kmanshouse

I live in the neighborhood - there are a ton of restaurants.

Along Chicago Ave - a bit more east, you have Provare, Chi-Latin, Brasero, Yuzu - all either new or standbys with excellent food. Forbidden Root is a great spot for a mix of food and beer.

Kasama you will need to stand in line for at least 1 hour outside to get in, for breakfast/lunch. Dinner is a $275 pp prix fixe menu only and very hard to get into.

Tuman's is a friendly divey bar with GREAT food - way better than the usual bar. Skip Barcocina

Skip Lao Peng You unless you like very greasy Chinese food. Tasty, but very greasy.

Plenty of options for a great meal.

Thank you so much for this.

I was thinking about ordering Cardamom Kouign Amman online early that AM, and then go early to Kasama. If the line is longer than 15 min, just take the pastries to go and find someplace to just sit and eat them.... and then have an lunch in Ukrainian Village somewhere else, after walking around. Wonder if we can go to the Garfield park conservatory and just eat them there with some coffee in that room that allows food.....

Any of those interesting restaurant recommendations that you would highlight for someone who is an adventurous eater (and a great young cook), but doesn't eat meat (just fish/vegetarian) - my niece? I eat everything. What is your favorite? And Tryzub isn't it, I take it? Unfortunately, most of them don't serve lunch when we are going...

She's only 18 so maybe some places we can't go. I was bummed when I tried to take her to Hopleaf when we were in the neighborhood, and they said no "kids" under 21. My fault... We had a bad lunch at a random place after that.

Also, any walking around recs? Would you recommend the museums as well, or sprinkle any specific streets/other stops in?

I don't know Ukrainian village at all, although I almost moved there 10 years ago.