Speed dating

CULINARY: MEALS ON WHEELS

Everyone wants to bag a mate who can cook. Encourage that quality in your gorgeous gourmand while pointing out that you’ve got great taste, too.

Start at the recently opened 1 Cook Au Vin (2256 N Elston Ave, 773-489-3141), a French deli-crêpe shop and caterer, to stock up on fancy Gallic packaged goods, like Bonne Maman raspberry fruit preserves ($5.56). Or, even better, get a couple of made-to-order crêpes (the goat cheese, tomato and chicken, $8, is a house favorite) and eat at one of the three tables in the wee shop. Just keep your date away from shop owner Vincent Colombet, whose boyish face and knee-buckling French accent could prove an irresistible combo.

NICE BUNS We’re betting The Fish Guy’s lobster rolls will earn you a second date.

Photo: Shmura Campbell

Because no French eats are complete without some wine to wash them down, head south to the 2 Wine Discount Center (1826 N Elston Ave, 773-489-3454) to look for a bottle or two. Try 2006 McManis Viognier (that’s “vee-oh-nyay”; don’t embarrass yourself), a medium-bodied Italian white ($10.49). If you happen to also be a medium-bodied, Italian white, there’s a clever joke in there somewhere—go for it. Rosé season’s just starting, so another tasty option is the 2007 Domaine De Figueirasse ($9)—a dry rosé from southern France. The staff is happy to chill bottles for you if you call ahead; bring an ice pack to keep the vino cold if you’re looking to impress. Then, pack up your wine and backtrack north half a block to Cortland Street, take that about eight blocks west to Damen Avenue, take Damen north to Armitage Avenue and hang a left to head west. Take a right at Sacramento Avenue, a left at Palmer Street along Palmer Square, and a right on Kedzie Boulevard. At Diversey Avenue, take a left, go four blocks to Kimball Avenue, take a right and head to 3 Chicago Food Corp. (3333 N Kimball Ave, 773-478-5566). This large Korean grocery store offers good prices on staples like barley ($2 for 30 ounces), as well as more exotic items like chewy Korean rice-cake noodles. Continue heading north on Kimball until you reach Elston Avenue, then bear left and ride about two miles to 4 The Fish Guy (4423 N Elston Ave, 773-283-7400). Order a couple delicious lobster rolls ($40; you have to call a day ahead to order, but do you want a second date or not?). There’s no seating in the store, so find a quiet spot outside and break out the wine (either of the bottles above will pair well)—just keep the booze hidden so you don’t finish your outing in the pokey.

DISTANCE 6.5 miles (one way)

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