November 17th, 2010 
If you are tired of the same old Friday night scene, then now is the time to step outside of your typical space and try something new. Pilsen is located just southwest of downtown and easily accessible by the train, either the Pink Line or the Orange Line. As of late, I’ve spent quite a bit of playtime in the area and am giving you three excuses to break your humdrum routine:
No. 1 Shopping at Deliciously Vintage. This boutique is a must-do for the vintage lovin’ guy or gal. As with most vintage shopping, you have to do a little digging to find a piece that’s just right. But there is definitely something for everyone- and not the junk that a lot of places love to pass off to the unsuspecting shopper. DV offers top brands and stand-out threads at reasonable prices.
Vintage St. John Dress with Louis Vuitton Belt
Deliciously Vintage
1747 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, Illinois
312.733.0407
No. 2 Gallery Hopping at Second Fridays Art Walk. Every second Friday of the year, The Chicago Arts District hosts open receptions at 30 different galleries and art studios located around South Halsted and 18th Streets.
The Pilsen galleries open their doors to the public, for free, bridging the gap between the public and the burgeoning, local art community. Exhibits range from photography and sculpture to avant garde fashion and painting. Each gallery creates its own vibe- one might offer wine and cheese while others entertain with live music or DJ sets.
The next Second Fridays event is December 10, 2010, from 6pm to 10pm. You can pick up a map of participating galleries from the Information Center at 1821 S. Halsted Street.
No. 3 Dining at May St. Cafe. After you are done shopping and gallery hopping, stop by this gem for dinner and cocktails. The menu showcases an infusion of Puerto Rican, Mexican, Cuban, Contemporary American and Nuevo Latino cuisines. Side bar: I can already taste the Mango Margarita…
May St. Cafe in Pilsen
1146 W. Cermak Road
Chicago, Illinois
312.421-4442
