Vines on Clark | Rooftop guide 2012

When does the combination of metal patio furniture, brick flooring, industrial-sized trash cans and barely any greenery qualify as a popular beer garden? When your beer garden and similar rooftop patio are a fly ball from Wrigley Field. Beer is cheap and free-flowing at this second-floor locale, and the wait for a table rarely exceeds ten minutes (though right after a Cubs game lets out, all bets are off). The Italian-focused menu satisfies the throngs with pastas (such as the "blackened steak Alfredo," a filet served over fettuccine Alfredo) and pizzas, including an artichoke-and-goat-cheese pie. There is also a large selection of panini—including the Italian, a meat lover’s dream piled high with pepperoni, salami, ham, provolone, lettuce and tomato.

3554 N Clark St (773-327-8572)