Help me find Chicago's own, "cafe intermezzo"

September 7, 2006 1:56 PM

Are there any cafés / restaurants in Chicago along the same vein as Café Intermezzo in Atlanta? I'll explain as there is

Essentially, Café Intermezzo is a Viennese coffee / dessert / adult beverage establishment open late; What I'd like to do is take my special lady friend to an after dinner place for a b-52 and a piece of tiramisu, dim lights, quiet atmosphere, you get my drift. I can't seem to locate something that is exactly like it, perhaps you've been there. Opine! Thanks.

posted by AllesKlar to food & drink (9 comments total)

Check out Hot Chocolate.
posted by damn dirty ape at 2:10 PM on September 7, 2006

Julius Meinl now has a coffeehouse on Southport. Don't know about the atmosphere (I haven't been back to Chicago in a couple of years), but it's hard to get much more authentic than that.
posted by scody at 2:20 PM on September 7, 2006

hijack: I was going to ask a similar question around monday but if there are knowledgable people reading this thread, I'd appreciate their input as well: what cafes/bars in chicago are good places to read? I work in the wrigley building and currently go to the intercontinental hotel often to read in their bar area.

(I can't read at starbucks, the ambient music is just too loud)
posted by krautland at 3:18 PM on September 7, 2006

Julius Meinl now has a coffeehouse on Southport. Don't know about the atmosphere, but it's hard to get much more authentic than that.

True, Julius Meinl is authenticly Viennese -- but there, it's more gourmet shop than coffee house. The chain reminded me of Trader Joes; interesting that they've expanded their operation to the US.
posted by Rash at 4:49 PM on September 7, 2006

Star Bar.
posted by jeanmari at 5:23 PM on September 7, 2006

God, I love Cafe Intermezzo! I don't know if there's a Chicago establishment that equals it, though.
posted by evariste at 7:07 PM on September 7, 2006

I always wondered what Cafe Intermezzo was in Oukast's 'We luve deez hoez'. Now I know.
posted by PenDevil at 11:59 PM on September 7, 2006

I'm not positive, but I think Star Bar might be closed. They've had a sign up all summer reading "Open Thru August"
posted by awegz at 5:42 AM on September 8, 2006

i am absolutely unfamiliar with cafe intermezzo, but i am fond of the thrid coast at about 1250 north dearborn. it's vintage, has good food, excellent coffee and a liquor license. smoking and non sections are well segregated. i often see people in there studying, when it's not the breakfast rush.

on the other hand, there's marshal mcgearty in Wicker Park, near the fluevog store, which i love, but it's a tobacco lounge. good coffee, full bar, free wifi and a really good ventilation system. mediocre food, however.
posted by crush-onastick at 6:47 AM on September 8, 2006