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La Colombe

La Colombe

WICKER PARK

1552 N. Damen Ave.

Chicago, IL 60622

M-F: 7:00-7:00

SAT-SUN: 8:00-8:00

Beneath the rails of the Damen Blue Line stop, you’ll find one of the best cups of coffee in Chicago, at La Colombe. Open at this location since early 2014, this Fair Trade coffee house caters to commuters on the go, as well as the standard coffee house computer crowd, or friends, like us, meeting up for chat. Panels of natural light flood through the floor-to-ceiling windows transforming the minimalistic interior into a welcoming and warm space. A place you want to hang out a little while longer than it actually takes to devour a cup of coffee. While the blue line train rumbles across the tracks above our heads, steam explodes from the espresso machine, as our cappuccino and lattes are crafted into perfection. Milk foam as thick as cotton clouds, lightly floating on the surface of our coffee drinks. Sheer delicious happiness in beautifully ornamented cups, paying homage to its South American roots. To make things even better, a spread of pastries from one of our favorite Chicago bakeries, Floriole, is available for purchase with your coffee drink, thus facilitating a heavenly fusion of flaky buttery goodness and (de)caffeinated delight. What separates La Colombe from many other local coffee companies, is their company ethics toward farmers and other trading partners, as well as a dedication to providing a product that is strictly earth conscious. This is one rich and savory cup of coffee you can sip with a healthy conscience. 

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Little Goat Diner

LITTLE GOAT DINER 820 W Randolf St., Chicago, IL 60607

This week we uncover the deliciousness of Little Goat Diner in Chicago’s West Loop. First of all, the area itself is worth a visit. The old meat packing district has become a hip and beautiful neighborhood for the people who like to eat out and have the money to spend. Walking down Randolph you encounter some of Chicago’s best restaurants. Black Bird, Avec, Au Cheval, Girl And The Goat, and of course Girl and the Goat’s younger sister, Little Goat Diner, across the street–that is the joint on the corner with the adorable little goat on the rooftop. You can’t miss it.

The weather is nice enough to sit on the sidewalk patio, but we choose to take up one of the massive booths inside. To some of us, the word “diner” recalls images of broken plastic seats, tacky interior decor, luke warm coffee in old and partially dirty mugs, and a $3.50 toast, hash browns and scrambled egg breakfast. Needless to say; ‘this ain’t that kind kinda place’. Rather, think casual elegance–a place where possibly Don Draper would have a bloody mary for brunch. Although, the crowd at this time of day more so channel “sex and the city–the baby chapters”.!

Little Goat Diner is the latest offspring of the culinary collaboration between Top Chef winner Stepahnie Izard, and the Boka Restaurant group duo–Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz–along with Little Goat Bread, where all the bread for Girl and The Goat, and Little Goat Diner is made. The bakery/coffee bar/cocktail bar is conveniently attached to the diner through a side door. However it is also possible to access through its own entrance from the street, to grab some coffee, bread or Goat merch to go. Really, the bar is super cosy, dark and intimate. Only a few seats at the bar where you can have snack, a drink and maybe some good conversation.

After carefully going through the many tooth watering menu options in our booth, we make our choice, and our food arrives. Smoked Corned Beef Hash with Eggs, Sourdough Pancakes, a side of Hash Browns with cheese, and at last, the ultimate brunch treat; the Bull’s Eye French Toast–a delightful ensemble of eggs, crispy chicken, sweet onion brioche, topped with bbq maple syrup. Who comes up with this kind of stuff? I guess a Top Chef does. And what else is there really to say, but: YUM! 

As always, you can see more pictures on our Facebook page!