T+L Reports: A New Wind Blows In Chicago

Now that Lincoln Park and Wicker Park have been discovered, North Southport Avenue is drawing the city’s edgy style mavens up to Wrigleyville. Named for the hearththrob in the eighties cult classic Sixteen Candles, Jake (No. 3740; 773/929-5253) is a paean to emerging clothing designers such as James Coviello and Pegah Anvarian.

· Live organ music is a prelude to the independent and foreign films screened at the 1929 Music Box Theatre (No. 3733; 773/871-6604).

·The citrus-stuffed French toast with blueberry compote at the Southport Grocery & Café (No. 3552; 773/665-0100; brunch for two $25) can satisfy any sweet tooth.

·Denim addicts get their fix at Krista K (No. 3458; 773/248-1967), a shop with velvet curtains and more than 20 brands of jeans—from Chip & Pepper to Meli Melo.

· Order a plate of bangers and mash along with a Guinness at the Irish pub Mystic Celt (No. 3443; 773/529-8550; dinner for two $20).

· At Coobah (No. 3423; 773/528-2220; dinner for two $60), an endless stream of bossa nova music is the backdrop for exotic pan-Latin dishes (try the shrimp piri-piri).

· Jalapeño-dusted Mexican maki is just one of the inventive sushi rolls prepared at Rise (No. 3401; 773/ 525-3535; dinner for two $40), a mod Japanese joint with a rocking sake lounge.

—AMY TARA KOCH