Eiren Caffall, a Chicago-based author (and musician), had a novel hit bookshelves this year. All the Water in the World was released on January 7, and is the story of a girl called Nonie, who is gifted with a deep feeling for water. Nonie and her family and their researcher friends live in New York City, but not the New York City we know. It is almost completely deserted; in fact, Nonie and her family and friends have created a settlement on the roof of the American Museum of Natural History. Despite living right above the museum, the most important rule of the conglomerate is to only take from the exhibits when in dire need. However, when a storm floods the city’s walls, Nonie and her family escape north on the Hudson, carrying only a book that holds their records of lost collections. Eiren Caffall delicately and beautifully details their journey as they navigate their new lives, encountering others along the way, and witnessing how they’ve adapted to their new reality.
While books and music take up a lot of Caffall’s time, food isn’t too far behind. Nestled in the beautiful Chicago neighborhood of Logan Square, Caffall has a multitude of spots that she loves to experience. She details below her favorite drinks, ranging from tea to mocktails, as well as her favorite Chicago restaurants, such as Daisies, Lula Cafe, and more!
It's first thing in the morning, coffee or tea? And who does your favorite brew?
I'm a tea person, but I am non-monogamous. I love to get my at-home options from the Coffee and Tea Exchange, especially a good Earl Grey to brew first thing in the morning. For jasmine green tea, I head to Chinatown for a yellow tin of the good stuff, which can also be found at HMart. But I am deeply in love with my local coffee pickup window Necessary Coffee, where I can get a great London Fog on cold days, or an iced matcha in the summer. I'm also a huge fan of their beet latte, Close Female Friendships, when I want non-caffeinated options, or their Cafe Canela, which has a little honey in it, when I need high-test.
For the most important meal of the day aka breakfast, where do you go and what do you order?
As a creature of habit, there is only one right answer here: plain greek yogurt, maple syrup to sweeten, chopped pecans, blueberries. I can't function before breakfast and tea, so this is an at home meal. If I have to skip it, for an early hike or a travel day, I'd substitute with a breakfast sandwich from Loaf Lounge. These are messy and perfect, and you can always get a sourdough loaf to go, and add on their hashbrowns, which are amazing.
Are you a grab-and-go lunch eater or a slow sit-down type? What's your place and order?
If I'm not writing through lunch, I like to go out and have a good conversation with a friend. My favorite lunch spot, hands down, is at Spinning J. My go-to order is a tuna melt and an egg cream. I've lived in Chicago for a long time now, but my Yankee roots mean I'm always down for a diner, and I think that Spinning J is the best there is in the city. And, of course, do not sleep on their pie. Take it home if you must, but don't skip it. Honorable mention to the lunch service at Daisies, which is varied and relaxed, with lots of room to catch up with a friend, and amazing pastries.
Afternoon pick me up? Snack? Caffeine or happy hour? Where is your favorite spot to jump start the evening?
I love sitting at a restaurant bar for a mocktail and a bunch of small plates. I think you can see a trend in my choices, most close to my home in Logan Square. My favorite place, and the one where I'll stop if I'm taking the train home from the airport, is Lula Cafe. Sitting at the bar there is like settling into a friend's living room. I've had some of my most important conversations about life and work at that counter, and some of my favorite celebration meals and visits with beloveds and family. I was lucky enough to be the first musical act to play Lula back when it opened, before expansion and glory. I love the owners, and the way they nurture chefs coming up in the city, the way they give back and innovate, and Jason's incredible cookbook. And I love their food. Bonus points for the fact that, even if I don't drink much any more, anyone hanging out with me can get a great wine list and cocktail selection. They consistently have the best NA cocktails I've had in the city, and the chickpea frites, just order them.
Dinner time, what place or meal brings your day to a close the right way?
If not Lula, the place I want to go for dinner is San Soo Gab San Korean BBQ on the north side. I'll even drive out of the neighborhood for this. I first went there when my kid, now 20, was a three-week-old baby in a car seat scoop, sleeping at my friend's birthday dinner while we sat on the old tables they used to have recessed into platforms that made it feel like you were sitting on the floor and they were open 24 hours. It was the place I had my second date with my husband, the one where we'd been on our first hike together and it was obvious that things were going to get serious. When I think of San Soo, it isn't just the grilled meat, the collective experience of cooking and sharing a meal together, it isn't just the banchan that rolls out in waves from the kitchen, it isn't just the delicious mandoo. What keeps me coming back to San Soo is something from a Jessica Abel comic from the '90s called Jack London. In the comic a girl takes the EL through a blizzard to work and thinks about how Chicagoans come together, respect each other more, take care of each other better, in the cold weather—how it toughens and bonds us. San Soo is that for me, a place I crave in winter, when the coals of the BBQ are hot enough to warm you up after a hike, and you and the people you love are huddled and full and warmed against the snow. That birthday dinner, that date, both in January. But go there any time, especially late at night after seeing music. Every kind of Chicagoan is there, and they are all well fed.
