—Panes Bread Cafe (www.allmenus.com/il/chicago/209704-panes-bread-cafe/menu/): Panes has been at the corner of Wellington and Sheffield avenues in Lincoln Park for two decades—and there’s a reason the crowds keep coming. Panes offers a variety of meal items, including salads, pizzas (including pesto and cheese, and chicken and spinach), pasta dishes and many sandwiches. The desserts, however, will REALLY keep you coming back: Delicious examples include cream puffs (some of the best I’ve ever had), loaves of chocolate-chip banana bread (for only $3.25!) and brownies with peanut-butter cups.
—Blacksocks (www.blacksocks.com/en-us): For anyone who believes you get what you pay for, Blacksocks casually dismisses that theory. Starting at less than $10 per pair, these feel like luxury items—and they come in a variety of styles, fabrics and lengths. Your feet will thank you. (BTW, the site also sells T-shirts and underwear.)
—IVme Hydration Clinic (ivmechicago.com/): The clinic (at 1347 N. Wells St., with others forthcoming in the West Loop and Skokie) can potentially help people suffering everything from hangovers to jet lag to the flu with intravenous hydration systems. Non-intravenous services include Juvederm, lipotropic vitamin B shots (to increase metabolic rates) and the energy-boosting vitamin B12 shot—and I can confirm that this last one works.
—The Last Match (La Perdita) ($24.99; Amazon.com): Canteen Outlaws, the new label from veteran LGBT giant TLA Releasing, has released this latest film by writer/director Antonio Hens (Clandestinos). In this romantic and sexually charged drama, Reiner and Yosvani are best friends and soccer mates in steamy Havana, Cuba—and the secrets and action that take place are as hot as the weather there.
—By Andrew Davis
(Andrew@WindyCityTimes.com)