My Lakeview neighborhood has many perks, but plentiful street parking is not one of them. But on weekends, when it’s a little easier to snag a spot upon our return, my husband and I like to take the car out and explore other areas. This Saturday, I’m introducing him to Evanston, where I spent my first year out of college.
MORNING
We start our tour down memory lane with brunch at The Lucky Platter (514 Main St., Evanston; 847-869-4064), in the same building where I had my first apartment — a 4th-floor, 450-square foot studio that overlooked Main Street — and where I ate many a morning, afternoon and evening meal. A quick check of the lunch and dinner menu shows my favorite dish, a Thai-style catfish, is no longer available, but the Platter Benedict (poached eggs, grilled smoked turkey, spinach, tomatoes and hollandaise sauce over toasted cornbread, $6.75) is as satisfying as I remember. Some of my other usuals: the apricot cheese “flakey” ($1.50) off the breakfast menu, the tomato bisque ($2.25 cup, $3.25 bowl, available lunch and dinner) and devil’s food chocolate cake ($3.75).
AFTERNOON
We head north on Sheridan Road to Baha’i House of Worship (100 Linden Ave., Wilmette, 847-853-2300), where I often took visitors to marvel at the building’s intricate domed architecture. It’s free and open to the public when there are no services taking place. (On Saturday, the services are at 9:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.) The surrounding gardens are a little bleak in the winter, but once during a summertime visit, my grandmother, an avid gardener, spent hours wandering the flower-filled paths. The visitors center in the building’s lower level offers background information on the building and the Baha’i faith, as well as photos and information about the other equally impressive houses of worship around the world.
EVENING
Back in Evanston, we stop in at Cassona (1509 Chicago Ave., 847-328-0995), a colorful home store that features an eclectic array of affordable furnishings and accessories, including pottery from Oaxaca, Mexico, rustic, handcrafted furniture, and luxurious cotton and satin bedding.
After an early dinner just around the corner at the Davis Street Fishmarket (501 Davis St., 847-869-3474) — I recommend the corn-flour-breaded calamari ($7.99) and garlic steamed mussels ($8.99 per pound) — we head a few doors down to Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge (527 Davis St., 847-424-0790) for dessert. A cozy envelope of plum, dark chocolate and fuchsia walls and plush, candy-colored furniture, the lounge is a recent addition to this strip of Davis Street. The Heavenly Hot Cocoa ($4) is indeed heavenly, as is the Earl Grey tea truffle that we sample (they’ll give you a sample if you ask). It’s a sweet finale to a fine day. Now if we can just find a parking spot when we get home.