Best Home Boutique for Locavores

Neighborly 2003 W. Montrose Ave., 773-840-2456, neighborlyshop.com This low-key North Center shop is the brainchild of the people behind Ork Posters, a local screenprinting company best known for its ubiquitous typographic neighborhood maps. Opened last fall, Neighborly carries throw pillows, ceramics, blankets, candleholders, goodies for the bath, and a heap of other charming home accessories … Read more

Best New Salon

Anthony Cristiano 401 N. Wabash Ave., 312-268-2440, anthonycristiano.com The globetrotting hairstylist to the stars has coifed Mariah, Uma, Demi, and Kim (as in Kardashian). But his first salon, on the mezzanine of the Trump hotel, has more substance than flash, starting with reasonable prices—14 experienced stylists administer cuts and color starting at $85. Of course, … Read more

Best Vintage Clothing

Luxury Garage Sale 1658 N. Wells St., 312-291-9126, luxurygaragesale.com Who needs eBay when you can paw through this store’s section of vintage Chanel and its racks of gently worn pieces by Lanvin, Valentino, and Proenza Schouler, among other high-end designers? Don’t miss the outstanding selection of handbags and jewelry. Photo: Sasha Hodges Kokorokoko 1323 N. … Read more

Best Florists

Jayson Home 1885 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-248-8180, jaysonhome.com Container plants: Jayson’s alluring aesthetic ranges from the exotic (grassy-leaved sweet flag and bugleweed) to the practical (succulents and edibles such as peppers and herbs). A New Leaf anewleafchicago.com Orchids: Carrying 20 to 30 orchids at each of its three shops, A New Leaf has the city’s … Read more

Best of Chicago 2013

Two hundred thirty-four square miles, 2.7 million souls, an ever-changing mix of shops, restaurants, bars, comedy nights, rap stars … Where should you spend your time, energy, and money when the choices are practically endless?
Read this, for starters. Chicago’s exhaustively reported annual list includes 102 of the absolute best things the metro area has to offer right this minute, from a pastrami purveyor with a funny name to a 66-year-old jazz venue that has become legendary.