On our radar
Go before they leave.
- Ann Sather (Belmont)the cinnamon rolls live on, but the 81-year-old Belmont flagship is closing this summer ahead of a redevelopment. Last day expected around June 28. Go for the rolls; sit at the counter.
- Uncommon Ground (Clark Street)after 35 years, the Camerons are retiring and looking for someone to take it over. Still open for now, future uncertain.
- Amicithe tiny arancini shop on Broadway that briefly went viral after Keith Lee dropped by; closing this spring as the owner steps away from forty years in restaurants.
Recently lost
A small moment for what just left.
- The Piggerythe Lincoln Avenue barbecue room served its last on January 18 after 15-plus years. Not so much at risk as already gone — but worth knowing what was just here.
Some of our favorites
The ones we'd end a walk at.
- Southport Grocery & CafeSouthport Corridor, bread pudding pancakes, an actual grocery shelf in the back. A brunch line on Saturday is part of the experience.
- The Coffee & Tea Exchangeon Broadway since 1976, scooping loose-leaf tea and roasted beans by the pound. Smells the way a coffee shop is supposed to.
- Bittersweet Pastry ShopBelmont, the Belmont-Sheffield bakery whose cakes you've probably eaten at someone's birthday without knowing it.
- Jennivee's Bakerytrans-owned, Filipino-inflected, late-night dessert in Boystown. The purple velvet does what it promises.
The ones we don't have to tell you about
…but we will, briefly.
- Wrigley Fieldyes, the ivy, yes, the bleachers. We know.
- The Music Box TheatreSouthport, still 35mm, still has the organ. We know.