Want to know where you can bump into WNBA players like Candice Dupree and Stacey Dales?
On The Town asked the Chicago Sky where its players like to chill when they aren’t practicing or on the road. Their answer? Dribble directly to the city’s sushi joints and hipster nightclubs, many of which have been known to attract the famous and the nearly famous alike. Among some of the players’ faves:
Mirai, 2020 W. Division St., 773-862-8500. Owned by Miae Lim of Japonais, this sleek Wicker Park raw-fish hotspot is renowned for its exotic sushi, from monkfish pate to horse mackerel. Trendy decor and a knowledgeable staff make this a hip place to get a healthy and adventurous meal, and perhaps spot a celeb (Gwyneth Paltrow ate here a few years ago) or pro player too.
Johnny Rockets, 901 N. Rush St., 312-337-3900. A girl’s gotta eat . . . burgers and fries. This California-based purveyor of burgers, fries and shakes also tops each meal with a heaping portion of ’50s-style kitsch. With the sound of ’50s and ’60s music playing the background, this restaurant attracts the occasional celebrity, including WNBA players and this spring actor Vince Vaughn.
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Quartino, 626 N. State St., 312-698-5000. When the players aren’t in the mood for belt-loosening burgers and fries, they head to this bustling new River North restaurant, which serves small plates of roasted mussels, asparagus risotto and crisp crust pizzas, among other Italian favorites.
Portillo’s, multiple locations, www.portillos.com. This local chain is known for its $1.99 hot dogs and themed decor (the Chicago franchise on Ontario has a fitting gangster theme). Actor Sean Hayes is a big fan of this eatery.
Funky Buddha Lounge, 728 W. Grand Ave., 312-666-1695. This 10-year-old lounge and dance club remains a hotspot thanks to its ever-changing dance mixes (Latin one night, hip-hop the next), its fresh deejays and its healthy dose of pretty people. FBL has been known to sweep aside its velvet rope for celebs such as Jeremy Piven, Kanye West, John Legend and, of course, those WNBA girls.
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For complete dining coverage, turn to At Play Thursdays.