You put the movie back on the shelf and walk out of the adult video section. Outside, you hail a taxi bound for the intersection of Ravenswood and Balmoral Avenues, and as the cab drifts further into the north side you wonder if you've made the right choice. Joie de Vine, located at 1744 West Balmoral Avenue , turns out to be the perfect antidote to Thursday night out. This slim little shoebox of a wine bar is hidden amongst the tree-lined streets of Andersonville , the perfect place to take a date, you think. Inside, the bar is backed with mod shades of blue, brown and cream and accented with rows of wine bottles and flickering candles cascading down the wall. The place is tiny and there's a small crowd eating charcuteries and cheese and lounging on the endless black booth that wraps around the space. Jon selects a glass of wine for himself while you opt for a cocktail instead. The two of you head for the patio seating out front. The weather outside is perfect and you sit mostly in silence occasionally talking politics or sports. It's Thursday night in Chicago and it doesn't get much better than this. THE END |
