Chicago

4019 N Damen Ave, at Irving Park; North Center; 773.248.1935

Started by a trio of sisters in the renovated space formerly occupied by their parents' bakery, Espresso's an art-inspired coffeehouse decked out with for-sale local works (some by the owners) and a wrought-iron enclosed garden patio out back, serving up the usual caffeinated suspects along with smoothies (lychee, guava-strawberry), and housemade pastries, including sweet (strawberry/banana/Nutella) and savory (spinach/mushroom/feta) crepes, though French wrap totally fell off after MC Solaar.

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