Alan Solomon

Alan Solomon has been a writer and editor for four major metropolitan newspapers in a career that began at the Chicago Tribune in 1968. As a Travel writer with the Tribune (1994-2008), his work earned 62 national and regional awards, including being honored as Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year for 1998 by the Society of American Travel Writers, the highest honor in the field. A lifelong Chicagoan, Alan is currently a freelance writer and teacher.

What neighborhood do you live in? How long have you lived there?
I live in Lincoln Park, near the Lincoln Park Zoo, and have for more than 25 years. When the wind is right, I can hear the seals urfing.

What do you like best about living in your neighborhood?
It's a neighborhood. All the necessities are within walking distance (or someone delivers) -- and I know my butcher, my druggist, my dry-cleaner and my favorite bank teller by name and my regular panhandlers by their decency.

What do you consider to be your neighborhood’s best hidden or undiscovered gem?
Salvatore's Ristorante. It's on a side street off Clark Street, you have to know it's there to find it and it's closed a lot (for private parties, mostly) -- but when it's open, for the price it's one the best Italian restaurants around.

What is the best way to explore your neighborhood? Is it particularly walkable or bike-friendly?
It's both. Add one more mode: joggable.

What would you consider to be not-to-be-missed restaurants in your neighborhood?
Riccardo Trattoria (as authentic an Italian as we have in the city) and Mon Ami Gabi (steak frites and great service, always).

Are there any big festivals or popular public events that take place in your neighborhood?
The Old Town Art Fair is huge, plus other street fairs -- but with the zoo, park, Fullerton and North Avenue Beaches and Cubs spillover, it's like a festival here all summer.

Are there any noteworthy or unique retailers to be found only in your neighborhood?
The Chicago Pizza & Oven Grinder Co., Clark Street near Dickens, sells pot-pie pizzas found nowhere else. Seems like there's always a line to get in, especially after Cubs day games. Sadly, the recession and rent hikes have recently cost us a couple of other good ones.

Where is the best place to grab a cup of coffee in your neighborhood?
My wife swears by the Starbucks on Clark and Dickens. I'm happy with the swill I brew at home.

What are five words you would use to describe your neighborhood?
Convenient, pretty, cordial, complete and safe.

What are some ways that residents show their neighborhood pride?
Lincoln Park has always been an activists' community: The Mid-North and Old Town Triangle associations are organizations with a history of protecting and enhancing the character of this special neighborhood. Their decades of good work is apparent.

Tell us what you know about the history of your neighborhood.
This is as iconic as Chicago gets: I live right across the street from the site of the 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre (featuring the Capone and Bugs Moran organizations), and the Biograph Theatre -- where Dillinger was spotted and quickly dispatched -- is a short walk away.

What is a popular gathering place in the neighborhood?
The entire Lincoln Avenue bar strip between Webster and Belden (Sterch's, Wise Fools, Kelsey's, more) is within a short stagger for most of us. Even closer: Raven's, on Clark, has good popcorn; and on Armitage, Gamekeeper's and River Shannon -- a block apart -- make a decent mini-crawl.

What are some popular spots to bring children in the neighborhood?
Can't beat Lincoln Park Zoo -- not at that price (free). The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has its fans, and kids will tolerate the conservatory to please their parents, but the zoo is a can't miss. Also nice: Oz Park, with its playground and the Oz-character statues.

Now, for some more general Chicago-related questions, what is your favorite thing about the city?
The lakefront and skyline. It's absolutely stunning, and when the light is a certain way, it's beyond stunning.

If you have a favorite neighborhood beside the one in which you live, what is it and why?
I almost always bring out-of-town friends to Heart of Chicago (the Italian-restaurant district on Oakley, south of Cermak Road). It's so wonderfully urban, so purely Chicago.

Where do you like to go for fun?
Either ballpark, The Cell or Wrigley. Love baseball. Love it.

What is your favorite restaurant in the city?
Manny's Deli. Not only is it wonderful and not only is it an institution (since 1942), but when it goes -- for whatever reason -- there will never be anyplace else like it here again. Ever.

What is your favorite pizza place?
Lately, Vito & Nick's, way southwest on Pulaski. I prefer thin-crust, and I can't imagine anyone doing it better than theirs. Closer to home: Marcello's/Father & Son.

What is your favorite season, and seasonal Chicago activity and/or event?
Fall -- walking in Lincoln Park on a sunny October day when the leaves are at peak. Also walking in the park after a fresh snow. Or during a fresh snow. Or on those special days in May when the flowering trees are in full, fragrant blossom. Oh, my . . .

Cubs or Sox fan?
Formerly diehard Cubs. For the last 25 years or so, both -- and maybe leaning a bit south.

Do you have a favorite Chicago tradition?
My thumbs have been forever misaligned by 16-inch softball. It's such a great game.

What’s the best place to view the city skyline?
The bridge at the Lincoln Park lagoon -- anytime, but especially at dawn or sunset, when light is most magical. No wonder so many wedding pictures are taken there.

Where do you like to bring visiting friends or out-of-town guests?
Heart of Chicago for dinner (see above), returning north via Lake Shore Drive for the view of the
skyline and lakefront. That's a combination no city in the world can match.

What is your favorite hidden Chicago treasure, a spot or activity that few else know about?
An all but empty Wrigley Field, around 6 p.m. after a day-game in June, when even the cleanup crew is gone and the sprinklers are whoosh-whooshing and the sun is low in the sky. The grass and vines are this deep, luxurious green, and the ballpark is all ghosts and grace (no, not Mark) and serenity. Unless you're a ballwriter, chances are you'll never see it this way. I was, and can't forget it.