One of our travel guides partners, Not For Tourists, has several unique
offerings on their website this week. Check out the following
highlights from their Chicago correspondents (in honor of Obama, of course!)...

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The Power and the Pastrami, by Tatyana Zaprudskaya
          
The Goddess and the Grocer

No, this isn't the title of a steamy Danielle Steel novel, but rather a fusion gourmet deli and grocery that is the girl-next-door version of its conjoined twin, Cru. They have all sorts of exotic deli options available for lunch: sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and a bunch of house-made favorites. Make sure you save room for dessert, particularly the adorable cupcakes, enormous cookies, or a slice of their luscious Creme de la Creme (chocolate and creme brulee) cake. Compulsive shoppers beware--no matter what you do, don't turn around as you wait for your food (and yes, you will be waiting)--behind you lie shelves taunting with temptation. They boast an impressive array of wines, cheeses, crackers, chocolate, and organic foods.

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Relive the Degradation, by Alan Snider

Estelle's Café & Lounge

Rational people spend most of their adult lives doing everything they can to avoid thinking of those hours they were locked in their uncle's closet (...); drunks in Wicker Park will gladly wait 45 minutes in subzero weather for the chance to relive the experience. Maybe it's a way of taking control of the situation--at least this time they're the creeps drunk off of PBR.

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Please, Sir, I Want Some More (Heat), by Jamie Smith

          
Quiltology

It's that time of the year when the crisp fall breeze finds its way under the doorframe and through the window casings into your apartment, where the landlord refuses to turn on the heat because the temperature is not yet regularly below 45 degrees. On a recent Saturday morning, as I sat on my couch enjoying a cup of tea and wearing every sweatshirt that I own, I thought to myself that a quilt might be nice. I thought it might also be nice to make that quilt myself. If only there was a place that could teach me how to do so... I burrowed into my sweatshirts and began googling. Quiltology is the result of that search. Not only do they offer classes in hand sewing and machine quilting, they also have a pretty extensive selection of fabrics for whatever you need to make to stave off hypothermia. A homemade quilt may be just the thing to keep you warm and foil your Dickensian landlord this winter.

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Feel the Burn, by Tatyana Zaprudskaya

          
Flirty Girl Fitness

Are you fit to strip? Flirty Girl Fitness wants to know. When you walk into this women's-only gym your x-chromosome is in overdrive: think pink (everything, including weights, equipment, and towels), blaring pop music (Britney Spears reigns here), and of course the Sex and the City-esque bar serving both health and alcoholic drinks. Venture a few steps forward and each of the 3 studios will be filled with sexy femmes burning off calories in one of hundreds of classes ranging from xxx naughty to the more conventional. Vixens can try pole, chair, or lap dancing and stripping, while the shyer ladies can opt for hip hop, belly dancing, specialized cardio classes (its all about the abs and booty), or yoga. To put a cherry on top of this delicious pink sundae, they also have a spa where you can get a pedi and a mani to pamper yourself after a rewarding workout!

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The Stench of the City, by Brian Lauvray
          
Logan Bar and Grill

From the people who brought you Streetside Cafe comes the Logan Bar & Grill, a sports bar with a sit-down restaurant located (conveniently!) right inside. Located due north of the California Blue Line stop, Logan provides an opportune arena for the 9-5 commuter who is hungry for a quick bite or just needs to wet their whistle. Outside, the Logan offers two substantial patios for diners who love the hum and stench of city buses droning by mere feet from their plates. Inside, the restaurant offers a substantial space to catch the game, either in the bar or in the dining area as the place has an embarrassing number of HD flat-screens plastered everywhere.

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