ALL BOTTLED UP: Fan Si Pan
The spot: If you’re short on time but don’t want typical fast food dripping with fry grease, Fan Si Pan is a tasty—and speedy—alternative. The whimsical storefront has charmed neighborhood patrons for two years with bright green decor peppered with big, colorful cartoon flowers. Named after a summit in Vietnam, Fan Si Pan has a steady lunch crowd from the City of Chicago offices across the street. Regulars from Ukrainian Village, Wicker Park and East Village stop in for a casual dinner, ordering favorites like the French fried green bean appetizer with wasabi sauce ($3.50). The fresh spring rolls are not to be missed—we like the Five Star Beef with Peanuts dipped in the house-made chili-lime and garlic sauce ($4.50).
The bottle: The most popular item is the honeydew limeade, made with lemongrass, ginger and kaffir lime, and garnished with mint and chunky melon bits ($3.50). You might be inclined to spike it with vodka, but Fan Si Pan manager Cam Keitel suggests gin as an alternative. Grab a bottle at neighboring Loop Tavern where you’ll find 750 milliliters of Bombay Sapphire gin for $26.99, and 750 milliliters of Tanqueray gin for $22.99. We’ll drink to that! -- Emily Lobdell,Metromix special contributor