The clock is ticking closer to 2008, and New Year’s Eve parties abound. For those who haven’t picked up their party supplies for an in-home celebration, don’t fear: Andersonville provides a one-stop shopping street — Clark Street between Foster and Bryn Mawr Avenues — to pick up everything needed to make the celebration extra special.
AFTERNOON
An essential for any New Year’s Eve soiree is bubbly, and Andersonville Wine & Spirits (5201 N. Clark St., 773-769-0858) has a wide selection. The store offers affordable sparkling wine, such as a magnum of Gruet Brut ($19.99), as well as high-end champagne.
To add flair to the occasion, check out Presence (5216 N. Clark St., 773-989-4420). From trendy, more casual clothing to fancy and funky styles, the store touts youthful dresses, which are also economically priced ($32-$78), along with accessories to glam it up.
For some unique eats to offer guests, head down to City Olive (5408 N. Clark St., 773-878-5408). As the name implies, there are a host of olive and olive-based concoctions, but it’s not limited to olives alone. From chorizo to chocolate, sockeye salmon to pasta sauce, the store has the ingredients for light bites to a full-blown meal. Purchase festive farfalle multicolored pasta ($13.99) and dress it with black truffle olive oil ($27.99) for an elegant meal, or pick up an array of tapenades, crostinis and olives for appetizers. To give champagne a little twist, the store carries semi-candied raspberries in liqueur ($20).
Want to ring in the New Year with something sweet? Sweet Occasions (5306 N. Clark St., 773-275-5190) has an assortment of holiday-themed cookies, cakes and other tasty treats. Their sinfully delicious red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing ($2.45 each) will satiate any sweet tooth.
EVENING
The NYE checklist is done, and all that shopping works up an appetite. Andies Restaurant (5253 N Clark St., 773-784-8616) specializes in hearty Lebanese, Greek and vegetarian cuisine. The lamb couscous ($13.99) is filling and flavorful.
Before heading home, visit Simon’s Tavern (5210 N. Clark St., 773-878-0894) for a warm-up and a history lesson. Swedish immigrants settled Andersonville, and the ethnic community still thrives. Since its inception in 1934, Simon’s has been Swedish owned. Order a peppar kakor (gingersnap cookie) and the traditional glogg ($4), a potent port wine-based heated beverage spiced with raisin, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, sugar, almond and orange peel, plus some super-secret family ingredients. But happen upon this friendly fellow and he may share the rich history of the tavern, which includes its early days as a speakeasy and makeshift bank. And tell him “gott nytt ar!” (“Happy new year!”)