They say that there are only two seasons in Chicago: Winter and Road Construction. But really, a better gauge of the change in seasons is the sudden appearance of outdoor cafes spilling out onto the city’s sidewalks. Along the roughly one mile stretch of Southport from Belmont to Irving Park, you will find no fewer than twenty five watering holes of various descriptions — from ice cream and coffee parlors to full-service bar/restaurants — that offer seating al fresco, and they are already in full-tilt boogie mode.
The popularity of such places is hardly surprising. After months of enforced hibernation, by Memorial Day Chicagoans are starved for outdoor amenities, and few activities are as exhilarating as eating, drinking and generally carousing in the open air.
You kind of hate to quote Chicago’s most famous personage, but the Big O has often said that if the weather were good, everyone in the world would want to live here. [Ironically, Her Nibs doesn’t even really live here anymore; in addition to her splendiferous new Hawaiian digs (designed by the city’s — maybe the country’s — most telegenic decorator), she often refers to her Montecito, CA manse as “home.”] And why not? If you like city life, Chicago in the summertime is truly an urban paradise.
So enjoy yourselves in our little slice of Eden for the next few months. Oprah may not be here, but we know what she’s missing.