A Fine Champagne Bar & An Even Finer Pad To Return To

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City Editions: Boston | Chicago | Las Vegas | Los Angeles | Miami | New York City | San Francisco | more Dec 01, 2011 WINE BAR OF THE WEEK TR Napa Valley Why? Because it's pretty much as intimate as it gets. TR Napa Valley may not boast the distinction of having the largest wine selection, but it just may be the tiniest, and subsequently the most exclusive, wine bar in Chicago. Situated on the glitzy row of posh Oak Street shops, the spot doesn’t have the room to accommodate even a modest-sized birthday party. With only four bar seats and eight tables, it’s more of a cozy spot to kick back and relax with a hefty glass of cab, or impress a hot date while enjoying the intimate confines.   ADDRESS: 61 E. Oak St. PHONE: 312-929-2299 WEB: trnapavalley.com   SUSHI SPOT OF THE WEEK Kamehachi Why? Because it's an Old Town mainstay revamped. An Old Town mainstay, Kamehachi has expanded into a local mini-chain after first setting up shop in Chicago more than 40 years ago. The Old Town branch has since moved up the block to a more accommodating spot, but devoted patrons can rest assured that they’ll still find expertly prepared sushi and barrel-aged sake. Besides the tasty eats, visitors will undoubtedly be impressed by the refined decor, which features plush semicircular booths, exposed-stone walls and a sleek lounge area that’s accented by tree branches.    ADDRESS: 1531 N. Wells St. PHONE: 312-664-3663 WEB: kamehachi.com   FUSION OF THE WEEK La Tacorea Why? Because barbecue short rib can be eaten with just about anything. Though there are only a handful of Korean fusion eateries in town, the fans that swarm these spots are much more plentiful. A union of Mexican and Korean delicacies, La Tacorea whips up quick-serve eats that meld bold barbecue flavors with mouth-tingling spices. A convenient Belmont and Clark locale is sure to draw in many passersby, but the true fans will show up to get stuffed on tacos and burritos stuffed with bulgogi (ribeye steak), garlic lime shrimp, kalbi (beef short rib) as well as sides of kimchi.   ADDRESS: 847 W. Belmont Ave. PHONE: 773-549-3500 WEB: latacorea.com   STORE OF THE WEEK An Orange Moon Why? Because they can help transform your apartment into a Mad Men-style pad. So lately you’ve been watching a few Mad Men re-runs. You have the slim-fit suit, the closely cropped hair, the radiating aura of stylishness, but something seems to be missing. It may be your pad’s modern furniture -- After all, it’s tough to find quality vintage furnishings that don’t look like they belong in Graceland Mansion. An Orange Moon is stocked with exactly what you’ve been looking for, including walnut file cabinets, Richardson Nemschoff library chairs, matching Milo Baughman lounge chairs, and even a mid-century plaid daybed. If those don’t impress dates, surely the ladies primping bench will.   ADDRESS: 2418 W. North Ave. PHONE: 312-450-9821 WEB: anorangemoon.com   LAST WEEK'S TOP PICK Highball Lounge Why? Because it's already one of River North's most old-school cocktail lounges. There are plenty of spots to grab a decent cocktail in River North, but not that many that offer a fuss-free drinking experience where one can sip, hang back, and not worry about crowds or “being seen.” This second-floor, 100-seat spot channels seemingly simpler times, namely the '50s and '60s, by opting for decor that leans on clean lines, sleek booths and abstract paintings. All that should fade into the background, however, once you start downing classic cocktails such as a Moscow mule, a Dark and Stormy, or just a rocks glass with three fingers of scotch.   ADDRESS: 738 N. Clark St. PHONE: 312-397-1961 WEB: highballlounge.com   If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, you may unsubscribe by changing your preferences. To read about our privacy policy, click here. Copyright 2011 IGN Entertainment, 625 2nd Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco CA 94107. All Rights Reserved.