Chicago Friday Fives from Graham Kostic, creative director and founder of Glossed and Found. After past gigs with Rue LaLa and Modern Luxury Magazine, Graham set out to do his own thing. Glossed and Found is a digital magazine providing the inside scoop on beauty, fashion and lifestyle. Graham and is crew are whipping up videos, interviewing experts, and providing a whole lot of cool editorial content in their own fun and unique way.
If you want an inside look at Graham’s creativity during his day job, look no further than his Friday Fives. Anybody that nails an Eats With A View pick on a restaurant that has approximately zero windows is cool by us. Keep up with Graham and Glossed and Found on Twitter at @dgrahamkostic and @glossedandfound, and check out the rest of his favorite restaurants below.
Graham’s “Perfect For” Picks
Classic Chi Establishment
Le Colonial (937 N. Rush St) – “Ascending the super steep stairs to Rush Street mainstay Le Colonial’s potted palm tree-overload lounge is truly cathartic. The energy upstairs is always kinetic (read: tipsy). Plus, the food’s delish. If this establishment were to ever announce a closing, I would be the guy on the news chained to the front door.”
First/Early In The Game Date
La Creperie ( 2845 N. Clark St.) – “I’m a spoken-for man now, but when I was hustlin’, Lakeview’s La Creperie was my go-to spot for first dates. In the winter, it’s romantic huddled under the gleaming copper awning over the tiny bar. In the summer, it’s romantic on their back patio strung with twinkling lights. But the funny thing about the entire thing? I don’t even like crepes!”
Date Night
Maude’s Liquor Bar (840 W. Randolph St.) – “The seafood tower is ridiculously expensive but oh-so-ridiculously good. They turned me on to Cristal hot sauce, too. Oh, and I love their whiskey smash. Gosh, I love this place.”
Eats With A View
Italian Village’s The Village
(71 W. Monroe St.) – “This windowless joint might not have a sprawling skyline view of Chicago, but the old school dining room is like a 1950’s movie set of an—you guessed it!—Italian Village. It’s complete kitsch with stars on the ceiling over a Positano-like village setting. While the ambiance is sweetly Italia, the generous portions are all American. My suggestion? Soak up the charm for a Negroni and antipasti before a show.”
A No-Fuss Breakfast That’s Still Buzzy
The Breakfast Club (1381 W. Hubbard St.) – “I have anxiety if my husband and I don’t get to go here at least once a weekend. It’s a classic greasy spoon breakfast joint that’s always busy with the sweetest staff. And don’t even get me started on their breakfast potatoes!!! Ask to sit under the Yin-Yang egg poster if you can, it makes for a great photo opp.”
Bonus Pick
Drink + A Show
Davenport’s Piano Bar (1383 N. Milwaukee Ave.) – “With a cabaret space in back and a baby grand right at the main bar, there is always someone belting out a torch song—and on open mic night, it could be you. From starving artists to musical theater fanatics (i.e. me), there is nothing like a Stephen Sondheim sing-a-long and a stiff Old Fashioned.”
Graham’s Twitter People
@SethRudetsky
@glossedandfound
@Parvesh
@Project_Onward
@KempSisters