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Argyle (Red)

Everything you'd expect from a station with a red pagoda.

Saturday Dec 24, 2005.     By Ashley Hamilton

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Looking more like a Buddhist shrine than an L station (a red pagoda tops the platform), the Argyle stop is pretty hard to miss. And though this virtual Little Vietnam comes filled with Vietnamese/Chinese shops, restaurants and bakeries, don't be restricted by what immediately meets the eye. Just a few blocks west of the station sits the south end of Andersonville, which holds a row of trendy bars, shops, theaters and restaurants. So get off the L, enjoy the splendor of Little Vietnam and then take it west...where more of Argyle's hidden gems await.

Safety rating: Not safe and not dangerous, this area falls somewhere in the middle. Things feel a little safer west of the L station, where the area is newer and trendier.

Panhandler rating: The panhandlers are tame during the day, but can get fairly aggressive at night. Mostly covering the immediate area around the L station, they tend to thin out as you head west.

Arena for the a.m.
La Patisserie P
After a long and caloric search, I'm proud to say that I have found Chicago's best croissant...and Argyle's best way to jump-start your morning. La Patisserie P owner and professional pastry chef Peter Yuen puts a huge amount of effort and pride into his work. Not only are the croissants made to meticulous perfection (crispy and flaky on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside): They also share counter space with a beautiful assortment of French, Vietnamese and American pastries.

While the French selection of tarts, eclairs, cream puffs and cakes is mouthwatering, don't be afraid to sample some traditional Vietnamese pastries. Yes, lotus bean paste cake sounds strange, but it's actually quite delicious: A flaky bun sprinkled with raw sugar cane and filled with a nutty-tasting paste, it's very Fig Newton-like. You can also try the best-selling red bean fried cake or, if you're feeling less than adventurous, choose an American-style cookie or cupcake. La Patisserie P recently underwent a seriously impressive renovation, but the seating area is still not very large or inviting. It's best to drop in, grab an espresso, pick up your favorite pastry (or a killer croissant) and get your day started the right way: loaded-up on caffeine and sugar.

Good for groups
Furama
Want to get your dim sum on? Do it the right way: with a few drinks, a great group of friends and excessive amounts of food. From the worn-in Asian ambience to the steaming carts of food that roll to your table, Furama is the ideal place to indulge in Chinese dim sum, entrees and more.

With a hundred variations of chicken, beef, tofu and seafood dishes, the menu's entrees are quite delicious (the cashew chicken is particularly tasty) but aren't the reason to come. Nope, at Furama you need to dim sum it up. Start by ordering a pot of tea for your table then spend some serious time debating about which dim sum dishes to order. You've got your spring rolls, egg rolls, pot stickers, crab Rangoon, shrimp toast and more, so choose wisely. The staff will wheel out your selections, along with bowls of rice, to your table, and so the feast begins. The tea may start losing its steam at this point, providing an excellent excuse to switch to cocktails selected from Furama's enormous drink menu or mixed drinks, beer and Japanese wine. Eat, drink and don't forget to share with your friends.

Cheap eats
Dong Ky
So the location is weird, the prices are questionably low and, admit it, the name gives you the giggles; but forget all that and give Dong Ky a try. It's unbelievably fresh, delicious, and oh yes, cheap as heck. Located practically inside the Broadway Supermarket (same entrance and everything), Dong Ky's Vietnam/Chinese restaurant is just a bunch of tables thrown into a small room. But open your menu and drool over the tasty dishes and rock-bottom prices. The soups, orange chicken and the complimentary hot tea are particularly good.

Veggie lovers will go crazy over the tofu crepe, which is awesomely huge and filled with broccoli, bean sprouts and tofu, served with a syrup-like sauce. Or go crazy over the huge variety of appetizers, fried rice, chop suey, house specialties, bubble teas and noodle, vegetarian, seafood and meat dishes. Low cost aside, the best thing about Dong Ky is the unbelievable freshness, which could have something to do with its in-grocery-store locale.

For the artiste
Neo-Futurarium
Half the fun of going to the Neo-Futurarium theater is just that: going. That's because the Neo-Futurists actors and staff make every second of your experience (from buying your tickets to walking into the theater) a lively one. And whether you're an artist, an appreciator of the arts or just an appreciator of laughing, you'll be guaranteed a good and hilarious time, especially if you take in Neo-Futurarium-staple "Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind."

The event begins once the doors open: Two Neo-Futurist actors explain the ticket-buying process (it's $7 plus whatever you roll on a six-sided die). Roll, pay and step into the theater, where another Neo-Futurist will ask your name to write you a name tag; doesn't matter what you tell them, they'll write down whatever they want, Kumquat. Then the show begins, staging 30 plays in 60 minutes, with the audience choosing the order off the play "menu." The individual plays change every week, so come as often as you like without risking a dull repeat. Tip and incentive: TMLMTBGB is an extremely popular show performed in an extremely small theater. Lines often form around the block, so arrive early or you may not get in. And the incentive: When the show sells out, everyone gets free pizza.

Where to chill
Clarks on Clark
If you've got a thing for smoky dive bars, than you'll have a thing for Clarks on Clark. It's a great pick for chilling with friends over drinks or a few rounds of pool. Observe the crowd coming in and out of this bar and you'll get the feeling that it is the Cheers of Andersonville: Everyone seems to know everyone. Even newcomers will get the personalized, friendly service. Fairly low-key and quiet on the weeknights and early on the weekends, Clarks on Clark is a perfect environment for conversation and drinks and, luckily, there tends to be a great selection of both.

Something to be aware of: Clarks on Clark is a gay bar, set in a gay neighborhood. This is evidenced by the gay movies that sometimes play on the corner television. So if you have a problem with that, either don't look or don't come. Otherwise, enjoy Clarks on Clark for what it is: a place to sit a while with a pint and a pal.