You love to go out. We love to go out. You love to eat. We love to eat. You love to drink. Well, you get the idea. So when you're itching for the lastest Chicago nightlife has to offer, check out The Extrovert for up-to-the minute details on the scene.
BYOB: Tre Kronor
The spot: Don’t put away those Uggs just yet. If you think this week’s warm weather means winter’s over, you’re probably not from around these parts. When the temp retreats to its frigid January norm, you’ll find us warming up in the cozy confines of Tre Kronor. Those Scandinavians know how to ward off winter chill. Packed with students and a friendly neighborhood crowd, the downstairs dining room is Old World cozy, with bright decor and a colorful troll mural painted on the east wall. Owner Larry Anderson, of Swedish descent, and his wife, Patricia Rasmussen, of Norwegian descent, have kept traditions alive here for 16 years. The hearty breakfast is popular for the pannekaker (Swedish pancakes) topped with lingonberries ($4.95). At dinner, nothing warms the soul like kottbullar, Swedish meatballs served with lingonberries and cucumbers ($11).
The bottle: If you want the full-scale Scandinavian warmup treatment, bring aquavit, a grain-based liquor seasoned with caraway seeds, anise and herbs. Sam’s Wines and Spirits (1720 N. Marcey St. 312-664-4394) sells a handful of aquavits from across the pond, such as Sweden’s O.P. Anderson ($22.99) and the less expensive Danish Aalborg ($16.99). But North Shore Distillery in Lake Bluff, Ill., makes an aquavit that Sam’s spirits director David Soto calls “one of the best” ($25.99). Tre Kronor will be ready with small, frosted glasses kept stored in the freezer. --Emily Hiser Lobdell is a metromix special contributor. --By Emily Hiser Lobdell, metromix@tribune.com
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