Riverside is a charming, suburban village west of downtown Chicago and south of Oak Park. A significant portion of the village is in the Riverside Landscape Architecture District, designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970. “It was the first planned community in the US, designed in 1869 by Calvert Vaux and Frederick Law Olmsted. It was laid out in a curvilinear plan to follow the Des Plaines River and the topography of the land. It was designed with a central square and train station. They used several large parks as a foundation and 41 smaller triangular parks and plazas located at intersections throughout town to provide for additional green space.” Be aware that it is a little confusing as you try to drive and explore.
The small, walkable downtown area has a number of stores, bars, restaurants, coffee shops and a distillery. You can easily have lunch, explore downtown and then have ample time to see some of the great architecture in town. In addition to homes and buildings designed by Olmsted and William Le Baron Jenney, including the downtown water tower, there are three Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes or buildings that you should drive by and see. I am on a mission to see as many of his properties as I can. I recommend:
Ferdinand F. Tomek House: At 150 Nuttall Rd., this is a lovely Prairie Style house designed by Wright in 1904 that is located just north of downtown in a quiet residential area. It has National Historic Landmark status.
Avery Coonley House: Designed in 1908 by Frank Lloyd Wright, this landmark Prairie Style house is the centerpiece of a whole estate, including the servants’ quarters, the stables and garage. The complex is located at 290 and 300 Scottswood as well as around the corner at 219 Bloomingbank Rd. It also has National Historic Landmark status.
Coonley Playhouse: Designed in 1913 by Wright, it was originally a school for educating the Coonley children. It is located a short walk away at 350 Fairbanks Rd.
Make sure to see the historic Arcade Building, from 1871. It was designed by Frederick Withers in the Gothic style. At 1 Riverside Rd., it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016.
The Riverside Village Hall at 27 Riverside Rd. is also lovely.
When downtown, make sure to try:
La Barra: On my first visit I enjoyed lunch with a local friend at the casual La Barra Ristorante at 2 E. Burlington. They feature a menu of many small plates, salads, pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and pastas. They serve a lunch menu on weekends.
On my recent visit ten days ago, I went for lunch with my same friend at Dulce Mami Café. This is a colorful, casual cafe serving Mexican as well as other popular dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner including omelettes, crepes, chilaquiles, sandwiches, salads, soups, waffles and pancakes along with tea and coffee drinks. We both had great omelettes and enjoyed our experience and our server. They are located at 1 Riverside Rd. and have other locations, in Chicago, Cicero, Crestwood and Denton, TX.
After lunch I stopped for ice cream at the London Ice Cream Shop at 38 East Ave. They feature a large number of flavors to choose from along with churro desserts, sundaes, bubble waffles, shakes and more. I enjoyed the coconut ice cream.
I also stopped in at Aunt Diana’s Old Fashioned Fudge at 29 E. Burlington St. For over fifty years, this chocolate shop has been making and selling old-fashioned and contemporary candy, homemade fudge, caramel apples and more. I bought some of their dark chocolate almond bark and thought it was excellent. Make sure to visit when you are in town.
Also, for dining there is Empanadus, at 7 E. Burlington St., with a large number of sweet and savory empanadas to try and the casual Sawmilly Sandwich Shoppe, at 33 E. Burlington, featuring a menu of sandwiches. Next door is The Chew Chew restaurant, owned by the same team. 35 E. Burlington.
Not to be missed is Quincy Street Distillery at 39 E. Quincy St. Here they have a distillery, a shop and bar that features their products. I recommend booking a tour along with a tasting. You can taste several of their spirits which includes three gins, a vodka, a white whiskey, three bourbons, a rye whiskey, a cinnamon whiskey, a corn whiskey and a rum. I love brown spirits and they were all excellent. If you don’t have the time for a 90-minute tour, at least stop in for a cocktail.
Also, for spirits you can visit Catrina Tequila Bar which is a casual bar featuring Mexican-inspired tacos and other dishes, plus cocktails and wine. They also host events from DJ, dance parties, Karaoke nights, sports watching events, mixers and more.
Also make sure to see:
At 33 E. Quincy is Higgins Glass Studio where you can find fused, enameled, and molded glass plates, bowls, trays, dishes, pendants, tabletops and more.
The Riverside Arts Center is located across the street at 32 E. Quincy St. This center offers exhibitions, classes, art talks and events.
I hope you enjoy my recommendations and will make a point to visit this summer.
For more recommendations go to Globalphile.com.
