Fulton Market Is Chicago's SoHo

Order the matcha over the coffee — ceremonial grade, good earthiness, and better executed than most of the espresso drinks. The orange vanilla is the right call if you want a recommendation. Publican pastries under lucite are fine and very extra. In-house toasts are good on the bread; the egg salad needs salt and is better shared. The zero-proof drink menu is more interesting than the standard. The real reason to come is the atmosphere: lofi music, a DJ setup, projectors running obscure films at low opacity, and a wraparound couch that makes it easy to stay longer than you planned.

West Loop cafe from Japanese latte art champion Hiroshi Sawada with a pedigree that the coffee doesn't back up. Metropolis beans treated poorly by inconsistent baristas. The military latte underdelivers. Matcha is the safer order. Doughnut Vault pastries on the side. The space is a converted gym with limited seating and a thirty-minute Saturday line. Not worth the wait.

Roman-style pizza sold by weight at three Chicago locations. The 48-hour fermented dough is light, airy, and perfectly crisped on the bottom. Toppings rotate hourly and run from traditional meatball to potato rosemary to lemon. Grab and go or eat there — either works. If you're reheating at home, get a cast iron screaming hot first. A couple of pieces is enough, which is both the appeal and the problem.

Small Cheval is the focused, casual offshoot of Au Cheval, and the burger might be better. Double patty, medium rare, house pickles, sauce, and a perfect bun. Order at the window, grab a patio seat, eat it immediately. The custard concretes are not optional. Oreo or peanut butter cup is a decision you'll need to make on your own.