fat cat bar

In Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, check out Fat Cat Bar. Stop in soon so you don’t miss their refreshing summer cocktails—especially the Uptown Lemonade and Hi-Hat.

Beyond cocktails, wine and beer, they serve appetizers, brunch and dinner—think corn doggys, reuben balls, mancakes, a Thanksgiving Day sandwich—and don’t go home at 3am on a Saturday night without some of their homemade spicey vinegar.

Thanks to seth, lincoln park sales, for this submission.

la carbonara

photo: la carbonaraIn Chelsea you’ll find not a ‘hot spot’ but definitely a place that’ll warm you up during these cold winter days.

La Carbonara features some of our favorite Italian comfort foods—try not to drool as you review their photo gallery and menus.

Bon appetito!

Thanks to our soho team, for this contribution.

the griddle cafe

The Griddle Café features plate size pancakes, and lines around the block—this is the place to be on weekends. The small café also serves great coffee…French press for everyone!

Pancakes range from Red Velvet and Good Ol’ Fashion, to Eye Wide Open—with chocolate chips and a shot of espresso in the batter. Make sure to get an order of brown-sugar baked bananas on the side, they are killer.

Don’t sweat the wait, it’s always worth it.

Thanks to nikki, west hollywood sales, for this submission.

sidebar

Nearby CB2 Berkeley, Sidebar was founded by three friends who share their culinary passions and talents by serving Mediterranean bistro fare and comfort foods with new twists.

Find them at 542 Grand Avenue in Oakland and order the ‘pisco sour’—voted the best of the east bay in 2009.

Thanks to florence, berkeley store manager, for the tip and to anne-marie at sidebar for the great photos.

local 123

Local 123 is a great neighborhood cafe where there’s a nice variety of breakfast options—including vegan doughnuts and flying goat coffee—and they make one of the best cappuccinos in town.

Get seasonal menu updates on twitter, then relax and enjoy a leisurely breakfast or lunch inside, or on the spacious patio outside.

Thanks to florence, berkeley store manager, for this submission.