The Wild Onion

 (View from an apartment roof-top at a party. This city I tell you)

They say that after 10 years you can consider yourself  FROM a city. I am not sure who says this and I am not sure why it is only after 10 years. But that is what THEY say. So I am going to go with it. I have lived in Chicago for nearly 7 years, so to say that I am from here I guess would be lie. But despite my lack of years in the city it is my home. 

Chicago is a city that is rich with history, tradition, and pride. We have an iconic skyline, nicknames a plenty and nearly three million people in our city limits. According to Wikipedia (the all knowing being that it is...but I still miss Encyclopedia Britannica) nearly 45.6 folks visit our fair city yearly. So what do they do? 

I often get this question from my friends and family that visit. When I come to Chicago what should I do? Where should I eat? Where should I stay (though lets be honest that is usually on my couch)? Where should I go and grab a drink? I would like to think that I am a gracious host that always shows people a good time (but in a non-call-girl way I assure you), but the truth of the matter is I don't know the 'cool' things to do here. After 7 years I can tell you that the best beer selection in the city is at the Hop Leaf and that the best Mexican food is at Huaraches Dona Chio and the best cocktail is at a little place called Joie De Vine. But I feel like I to am a visitor to my adopted city. Maybe this is why it takes 10 years to be FROM here. 

So I have decided to get to know my city. I want to know where the history is and where the people are. There are 77 community areas in Chicago. From as far North as Rogers Park to far as far South as Hegewish and West to Garfield Ridge. I am a woman on a mission. So please join me. Lets find out what makes Chicago...well Chicago.