By Trent Modglin

Chicago Ramen
1056 Busse Highway in Park Ridge
Chicago-Ramen.us

Chicago Ramen, as a company, is not exactly a hidden gem. Chef Kenta Ikehata, who trained at Tsujita in Tokyo, does own 12 restaurants now, after all. And that list seems like it grows by the month. But the Park Ridge location, tucked away on the northwest corner of town in the old Frosty Penguin location, still remains somewhat under the radar somehow.

We enjoyed the flavorful vegetable ramen and shrimp wonton ramen this winter, and we were instantly hooked. The space is cozy, the staff is friendly and the menu is surprisingly more robust than you might expect (including loaded rice bowls for those who may not favor ramen). Check ‘em out … you won’t be disappointed.

Golf simulators at Social 18
24 Main Street in Park Ridge
Social18.com

Maybe you’ve had the outstanding burger at Mully’s Grill or a cocktail at Social 18, but have you dusted off the sticks and tried the high-tech golf simulators that sit in between the two establishments yet?

The simulators offer 50 different courses to play, including some of the world’s most famous tracks like Pebble Beach, Harbour Town and St. Andrews. And take advantage of their solid weekday happy hour.

The simulators, which run $60 per hour, offer 50 different courses to play, including some of the world’s most famous tracks like Pebble Beach, Harbour Town and St. Andrews. Join the Monday and Thursday leagues or bring your crew and make a night of it.

And if you can squeeze in a round on a weekday between 3-6 p.m., you can take advantage of a solid happy hour that includes an assortment of $6 cocktails as well as $7 glasses of wine, $4 Miller Lites and $8 Jim Beam old fashioneds.

The Green Mill cocktail lounge
4802 N. Broadway in Chicago
GreenMillJazz.com

Walking in the doors of the Green Mill in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood can feel like stepping into another dimension. A soft pink glow pervades this local favorite, vinyl booths line the interior, and jazz and big band music take precedent. As the story goes, Al Capone famously preferred the booth in the middle of the club that allowed him to keep an eye on both entrances at once, even though its back is to the stage.

Open late with live music on stage seven nights a week, the energy in this nostalgic lounge is unmistakable. Three pieces of advice if you’re a first-timer: Bring cash, be prepared for it to be packed late in the evening, and don’t ask for a mojito. Ever.

As the story goes, Al Capone famously preferred the booth in the middle of the Green Mill that allowed him to keep an eye on both entrances at once, even though its back is to the stage