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Division (Blue)
Wednesday Jan 26, 2005.
By Centerstage Staff
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These times they are a-changing. Chicagoans who remember the city circa 1995 wouldn't jump to recommend Division Street as the place to be. But with its bastion of restaurants, a few tried-and-true music venues and its burgeoning boutique scene, it's hard not to label the Division Blue Line stop as a destination of choice. Safety rating: The Sunday morning brunch crowd can be ferociously possessive of its place in line. Beyond that daytime drama, the area is fairly populated, but stick with a group after dark. Panhandler rating: You will probably be approached if you stand anywhere on Ashland for more than a few minutes. On Division, though, panhandling isn't overly prevalent.
In-the-know spot Upon sitting, polite servers present the menu, which is moderately priced ($8- $15) and serves to further the restaurant's sense of authenticity. It includes several tagines (meaty, aromatic stews filled with beef, chicken lamb, or salmon), combinations of meat and couscous (the lamb shank with dried prunes is especially recommended) as well as harira (a tangy vegetable broth with tomatoes, onions, chickpeas, vermicelli and fresh herbs) and kebabs. BYOB, with $3 corkage fee.
Place to be seen solo Bring a group of friends to play Scrabble, or start up a game of "Name that Tune" with Jinx's fully stocked jukebox. Whether you're lounging or trying to fuel up for an all-night study session or work project, it's doubtful Jinx can't provide the proper soundtrack. As far as fare goes, figure on lighter eats: salads, soups, hummus platters and sandwiches, but tofu-phobes beware: All the dishes are vegetarian but never lacking flavor. Some vegan options are also available.
Sure bet for shopping Accessories by local designers include handmade leather bags ($150 and up), Kimmy K flower barrettes ($30) and cute Sidepony baby tees ($16). Jewelry by Letter d, Weldon, Colleen Goldsborough and Luciole (freshwater pearl earrings and bracelets for $62-$66) blend fashion and fun. Facial services and waxing provide even more gift options, as do workshops and private party rentals.
Best of the nighttime world A series of tables armed with ice buckets is awaiting those willing to shell out for bottle service, and four-color light boxes, flashing random, colorful patterns like the game Simon, hang on the wall. While the bars change color to fit your mood, the bartenders can also pour just about any drink that will suit you. The moderately priced martini list has a few intriguing options: the Black Martini is made with Effen Black cherry and tastes faintly of Coke, while the signature Four Martini, which combines four types of Stoli fruit-flavored vodkas with juice and blue curacao, isn't super-sweet but gives of a strong fruit aroma.
Where to chill The wall mural is something like a prodigious high school art student's take on Michael Jackson's nightmarish video for "Leave Me Alone," and a broken piano haunts a far wall. The seating is made up of standard bar stools, salvaged theater seats and a group of chest-high tables, and there is a courtyard with a basketball hoop surrounded by a tall stone wall. Service can be sluggish, but for a night of palatable cover charges; loud, loud music and cheap drinks, it's tough to beat owner Clem Jaskot's ragtag hovel of racket.
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