Best of Evanston 2015

You told us your Evanston favorites, and we listened.The Daily presents it’s third annual Best of Evanston guide –– a what’s what of the best restaurants, shops and hot spots around town picked by you, our readers. Check inside to see if your picks made the cut and to discover the places you’ll be frequenting soon.

8 BEST OF EVANSTON | THE DAILY NORTHWESTERN

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015

#&45 41054 BEST PLACE to STUDY

BEST DATE SPOT

BEST DELIVERY

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BEST PLACE to PEOPLE-WATCH

6OJWFSJUZ -JCSBSZ University Library, one of the largest libraries in a private university, is a prime study spot. With three five-story towers that offer multiple study spaces, quiet zones and a delicious cafe, the library is the place to go if you have to read four chapters of your history book or if you need to do some last-minute studying for your chemistry final.

Its central location makes it easily accessible to all students, though many North Campus students prefer Mudd Science and Engineering Library due to its location within Technological Institute.

The library, right across from Norris University Center, offers students a chance to take a break from the buzz of student life, and it is also a haven from the cold. The study rooms in the towers are the perfect space for when you need to study with a group or finish a team project. The library commons are also a great place to share and cooperate with your classmates, and it is usually the loudest section of the library, while periodicals is a quiet space where you can relax and read a fresh edition of “The New Yorker.�

Up in the towers, there are a lot of places you can sit down with your textbooks and lose track of time. If you sit by a window in one of the North towers, you get a great view of the Lakefill, which is a particularly relaxing view when it’s snowing and you see the snowflakes trickle down, reminding you you’re nice and cozy while the tundra continues outside. – Mariana Alfaro

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Norris defends its title from last year as Best Place to People-Watch, and rightfully so. With the expansion of Norbucks and the revamping of SOURCE, we’ve been graced with even more comfy locations to post up and feign productivity. This means more opportunities to observe humans in all their weird, unfiltered glory. Last month I watched people try to clear snow from the ice rink with what appeared to be a pool noodle. It doesn’t get any better, folks.

Besides the act of simply watching humans, Norris is also a great place to be a human. Yes, I mean it. Northwestern students are notorious for running around in their own little tornadoes of school,

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BEST SALON

When you walk into Art + Science, 1629 Orrington Ave., you will be greeted, offered a beverage and seated promptly on the waiting couches.

You will be greeted — again, promptly — by your stylist at the time of your appointment. You will receive the most thorough shampoo job you’ve ever gotten and feel the cleanest you have in years. Your stylist might casually drop in how she just did the hair of a sports journalist speaking in a Northwestern panel and your stylist might also take before and after pictures of your hair that will make you feel cool. You’ll get a good view of the swanky barbershop in the corner — with its bright red neon lights staring back at you — and the hip guy cutting another hip guy’s hair. The cut will take less than an hour usually and will leave you feeling confident and satisfied. Your stylist will take extra care to style your hair above and beyond the simple blow-dry, and you’ll stare into the mirror at your perfectly shampooed, perfectly curled hair. The salon, 1629 Orrington Ave., offers a quick between-classes haircut or other services such as color treatments, stylings and waxings, while the barbershop, at the same location, offers services such as haircuts, beard trims and shaves.

The haircuts are moderately priced, with the salon’s cuts starting at $55 and the barbershop’s cuts starting at $45. With a fun, modern environment and friendly, professional staffers, the salon will drag you back after that first appointment. They had you at the shampoo station. – Stephanie Kelly

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extracurriculars and general stress. We forget to slow down and converse with each other beyond “How are you?� and “Tired.� Norris is the perfect hub for running into that guy you haven’t seen since last spring, or stopping to chat with your friend who works there. It’s warm and inviting and — let’s face it — you go to Norbucks to work while perusing Facebook, not hardcore cram for a midterm. You might as well stop the tornado for a second and grab coffee with a homie. Meet me at Norris? Hell yeah. – Christine Farolan

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING

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Ryan Gosling’s character’s advice is probably etched into your memory: “Be better than the Gap.� But I don’t think Ryan meant to discredit Gap in any way. Sure, this probably might not be the best place to look for your next formal outfit. And it definitely is not the place to give Steve Carell’s character a complete makeover. But if you walk into Gap, 1706 Sherman Ave., today, you’ll witness a spectrum of attire, from your must-have basics to the patterned button-downs for those of you trying to stay with the trends. Trends might come and go, while brands rise and fall, but there’s a reason Gap has been around for over 45 years. And it will remain loyal to you. The store even provides you with free Wi-Fi in case you want to send Snapchats of your changing room adventures. With 40 percent off select styles — and by select they mean most — almost all year round and its prime location on Sherman Avenue and Church Street, it is indeed an alluring place to shop. So are you better than the Gap? Well, see for yourself next time you’re on Sherman Avenue. And just a heads up, the answer will probably be no.

– Paige Leskin

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Whether you’re actually doing that assignment for class, tweeting your complaints about the quarter schedule or trying to sneakily take Snapchats to send to all your friends, the access you have to technology is a huge determining factor in deciding where to spend your time. This year, Norbucks takes the award for having the best access. It’s right on campus, so you don’t have to go far to get the best, which is more than an advantage when it’s -10 degrees and stepping outside is a struggle.

Plus, Norbucks has just as great access to coffee — which you probably pay for with the Starbucks app on your phone anyway. Norbucks has all the technology down pat.

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BEST ACCESS to TECHNOLOGY

BEST REWARD SYSTEM

– Ghichong Lew

As a college student, Wi-Fi is your best friend.

Fighting over outlets — though not ideal — is something you’re more than willing to do. And having a TV to watch that big game, or just to watch something to procrastinate, is an absolute must.

Lo and behold, the Starbucks in Norris University Center has it all: strong Wi-Fi, lots of working outlets and huge TVs. And the added benefit that you’re sure to run into a friend, or two or three, who can help you procrastinate, or maybe help you figure out that chemistry problem you’ve been holed up in the library trying to solve for the whole afternoon.

At Northwestern, technology is incorporated into everything you do academically and socially.

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Whether you are looking for hipster clothing or a cute dress for the spring (it is coming, trust me), Urban Outfitters, 921 Church St., is a great place to hit up. One of the few popular brand stores in Evanston, it is a go-to place for the many women of Northwestern in search of a new outfit or a gift for a friend. The free-spirit-style store has tons of different brands with distinct looks, including BDG, Kimchi Blue and a college student’s favorite backpack brand, Herschel Supply Co. It never fails to keep up with trends. Crop tops, jumpsuits, maxi skirts, wild graphic tees — they have ‘em all. Although Urban’s hippie vibes can be overwhelming at times, spend some time exploring, and you can score some classy sweaters or shorts that can be worn on a daily basis.

However, that is not the end of this hipster haven. They also have edgy accessories that will spice up your casual or party outfits. Hoop earrings, gold chains and rings — you name it, they’ve got it. You can find everything and anything at this store, even a bandana for your puppy, a vintage blanket for your dorm room and great reads for your free time. This unlimited, large two-story shop is the perfect place to splurge. The space is huge with many things hanging here and there, so it can be a little bit intimidating on your first few visits. But, chances are, you’ll find yourself strolling toward that corner of Davis Street to find the next fashion item you need. – Jee Young Lee

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING

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It’s time to trade in that Starbucks gold card for CVS Pharmacy’s red ExtraCare card.

Conveniently located near campus, CVS, 1711 Sherman Ave., is the one-stop shop for college students and downtown Evanston residents alike. Whether it’s getting a flu shot or getting something for those pesky spring allergies, CVS has got its customers covered, making membership in the ExtraCare Rewards Program all the more worthwhile.

Being an ExtraCare member has two main benefits: ExtraSavings and ExtraBucks Rewards.

Members have access to ExtraSavings, personalized coupons and in-store offers, which they can find online and on their receipts. However, perhaps more exciting, coupons can be printed at CVS kiosks after scanning an ExtraCare card. Too lazy to search online or travel to the store for coupons? ExtraCare members can also get savings and rewards sent directly to their emails.

Customers can also earn ExtraBucks, or “free CVS money,� according to the CVS website. ExtraBucks are earned through making purchases or filling prescriptions at CVS. In addition, featured ExtraCare offers may net customers more ExtraBucks than usual.

Not willing to get rid of that gold card just yet? Try a keychain card or link the ExtraCare card to the CVS Pharmacy mobile app. As usual, CVS has everyone covered.

With all of its perks (not to mention it’s free), there’s no doubt CVS’ ExtraCare program is here to stay. – Benjamin Din