Remember to bring your knives for sharpening. The rates aren't bad and you'll want a good edge for some of the provisions on sale.
Sit out on the patio by the open fire, gaze pensively into the distance at the house at the top of the artificial hill and pretend you're in a part of the world that actually draws tourists.
Go here if you're looking for a solid bike you plan to ride hard and keep for awhile. Their service is a big part of the value they offer.
Pack some cash, come early on a summer afternoon and colonize one of the long tables under the tents. There's not much point in fighting the crowds here, so bring your own.
Best cider selection in Wicker Park, plus lots of beers that are out of the ordinary.
Put on your big-kid pants and order two Saigon Crepes. It's not even worth pretending you can eat just one.
The black cherry and chocolate peanut butter ice cream are pretty hard to beat, especially after a long summer bike ride. You'll find racks in the parking area behind the shop.
Order the sidra and don't be slow about drinking it. It's a rare treat to find it on tap, let alone poured from several feet above the bar.
Check out the rack of local comics near the back. Lots of cool zines still being put out in the Chicago area. Makes for good stocking stuffers too.
Absinthe happy hour from 6 - 8pm. Chase down that green fairy, just make sure you're not driving afterwards.
The best specialty coffee shop in Jiyugaoka is also the earliest to open. 9am still doesn't make it a commuter stop, but that makes it all the better for lingering over your latte.
Grab a couple of onigiri for your day's adventure, and a Premium Boss latte if you require an extra jump start.
The garlic squid and BBQ pork make for a lovely meal here. The fact that they're both gluten friendly puts this place over the top in Jiyugaoka.
The prepared food options at Japanese supermarkets are generally excellent, and are really the only healthy way to consistently eat on the cheap during an extended stay in Tokyo. Here's no exception.
