Best and Worst of 2025
Highlighting the best, saving you from the worst.
At the start of the new year, many people share their highlights from the previous year. I love reading these recommendations. But I especially like it when someone shares the worst, too. I greatly appreciate being spared from a less-than-great experience. This is something I feel even more strongly about since becoming a parent. A meh meal for $200 seems even worse when you also have to pay $100 for the babysitter.
This is my best and worst recap for 2025. Feel free to share your own highlights in the comments!
The Best:
Date Night: The Chicago Philharmonic
I’ve become a big fan of the Chicago Philharmonic and appreciate how they make music fun and accessible. In 2025, I saw them perform with Kishi Bashi and Sleeping at Last, in addition to watching them play along with the film The Holiday. This year, their film series includes Rocky and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Me Time: Chicago Literary Salon
I have a five-year-old and a limited amount of time for myself. My friend Ashley Hasty has created a monthly literary salon that gathers for conversation with authors over a meal at Nic + Juniors (Nic is also a friend). My schedule has only allowed me to attend one event, but it was incredibly refreshing to have smart, meaningful conversations with fellow book-lovers. It felt as if my tired mom brain got a big hug.
Best Birthday Dinner: Fioretta
Our friend celebrated his 50th at Fioretta, one of our go-to restaurants for special occasions. The service is among the best I have experienced; the servers are knowledgeable, kind, attentive, and very professional. And the food is top tier.
I always recommend dining at Fioretta with at least a group of four so that you can order the 44oz Bistecca alla Fiorentina that is flambéed tableside. The menu suggests it is for two, and we’ve ordered it for only ourselves, and it was a bit too much food. We prefer to order it for four or more people, so we have room for pastas and sides.
Is there a better way to celebrate your birthday than to gather friends for a meal of flambéed Bistecca alla Fiorentina? Fioretta is on the pricier side, but I think that the food, wine, service, decor, and overall experience match the price.
Best Birthday Party: King Karaoke
I rented out the largest room at this Chinatown karaoke bar for my husband’s birthday, and we had the most fun time!
Weekend Getaway: New Buffalo, Michigan
The act of getting somewhere can feel like a lot of work, which is why I love New Buffalo. Hop on the Amtrak at Union Station, and just over an hour later, you are in a tranquil beach town.
We stay at the Marina Grand, which offers large two-bedroom suites with lofts that can accommodate larger groups. I’ve brought my family, and I have been hosting weekend retreats for moms here.
Bar Bite: Buttermilk’s Chicken Caesar Wrap at Little Victories
It’s viral for a reason. This chicken caesar wrap has perfectly juicy, crispy fried chicken, lots of parmesan, crispy pita chips, and just the right lettuce-to-dressing ratio.
I’ve been a fan of Little Victories for years, and I am a bit frustrated that it’s nearly impossible to get in these days. I’ve had the most luck on rainy nights or Friday afternoons.
Best Breakfast Sandwich: Allez Café
This welcoming sunlit cafe in Bucktown, at 2239 N Western Avenue, has an exceptional breakfast sandwich.
It has a soft, perfectly silky egg, a thick, crispy hash brown, and bacon. What sets this sandwich apart is the combination of the slightly sweet onion aioli and the mildly spicy jalapeño jam. The contrasting sweet and spicy flavors make this breakfast sandwich the best.
Subscription: Tortello’s Pasta Club
Yes, I have a monthly pasta subscription, and it is one of my favorite things. It’s basically a different pasta meal kit every month.
Vacation Meal: Korean Wonton Lasagna at Cadelo in Santander, Spain
This lasagna, made with layers of crispy wonton, beef with a tomato-based sauce, and a creamy goat cheese bechamel, was the best thing that I ate in 2025. I realize that Santander, Spain isn’t a top vacation destination (my mother-in-law lives there) - but if you do end up there, dine at Cadelo.
Most Fun Museum: Balloon Museum
It’s off the beaten path on the border of Avondale and Hermosa, and it’s so worth your time. The Balloon Museum is a massive space filled with a series of 18 immersive inflatable art installations. I brought my five-year-old daughter, my husband, and my parents - we all had a blast. This is a rare fun-for-all-ages activity that really lives up to that promise. It’s only in Chicago until early April, so go while you can!
Family Activity: Ice Skating at Fifth Third Arena
This is the Blackhawk’s practice rink, and it’s open to the public for skating for a few hours most days! The facility is perfectly maintained and affordable ($12 a person and $5 for skate rental). Skate helpers are available. Plus, concessions and a bar. Check online for the public skate times before you go.
Fragrance: Tocca’s Florence
It just smells fancy, and it makes me feel fancy. My friend Jenn gave me the Anthropologie beauty advent calendar, and this was one of the items included.
Addition to my Skin Care Routine: Iris & Romeo’s The Rest - Luminous Hyaluronic Serum Spray
I don’t use many beauty products. I like to keep things as simple as possible, but I need to tell the world about this excellent hydrating serum that can be used under or over makeup. I use it in the morning and again if I need an afternoon refresh. It has my skin looking dewy even during this dry Chicago winter.
Favorite Purchase: Antique Doors from Salvage One
Replacing a flat door with the antique beauty is one of the most satisfying home projects of 2025.
The Worst:
La Serre
Chicago doesn’t have a shortage of French restaurants, so there is no reason to have a less-than-memorable French meal. La Serre seemed more focused on being a backdrop for Instagram than anything else. The space is heavily decorated with faux florals that look pleasing online but tacky in real life. The open layout makes for a loud dining experience; it felt like we were yelling to have a conversation. The Instagrammable decor leads to obnoxious behavior, with people in tiny dresses staging photoshoots on the stairs and in other busy areas.
The food wasn’t memorable. I know we had a steak, but that’s all I can remember. I do remember thinking it was very expensive for what it was. And I remember still being hungry, so we went to Milk Bar for cookies.
RL Restaurant
I brought my Mom out to Chicago to celebrate her birthday, and wanted to make her feel special by treating her to a day of shopping and lunch. This wasn’t just any shopping trip. My parents lost almost everything when their house burned down in June. Their bedrooms and closets were most affected, so she lost all her clothing. Obviously, the folks at RL Restaurant didn’t know the motivation behind taking my mother to lunch that day, but I’d always heard it’s a place that feels special.
We arrived a few minutes early, and we were told to wait at the bar. We waited and waited. When I checked in with the hostess, she let me know we were next to be seated. But we weren’t. They totally forgot about us. We continued to wait at the bar patiently, eventually checked in again, and saw them panic. We were seated right away (about 30 minutes after our reservation time).
The meal was ok. We both had Chicken Milanese, which reminded me of the classic quote from 10 Things I Hate About You, “Can you ever just be whelmed?”
The last strike was when the bill came, and it included items from the table beside us. This took some time to sort out. My overall verdict is that if a place is going to be that pretentious and expensive, it needs to offer better food and a more polished dining experience.
Passport to Santa
I should have learned my lesson after feeling scammed at Unicorn World, but when I saw lots of Instagram influencers recommending this family experience, I bought tickets. The tickets were $40, and I didn’t expect it to be great, but I wanted to form my own opinion and share it. It was busy, rushed, and low quality. We left and went to Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier, which was also $40 but included ice skating and unlimited carnival rides. We stayed for 4 hours and had a blast.