Hot sauce

The new classics
Kevin Daniels has no problem telling people what Chi Bar is: “It’s a unique blend of new and old Chicago.” What’s new is obvious: The bar was just renovated by architect Jeffrey Beers into a sleek room with plasma TVs at every turn. What’s old is how he treats his cocktails. “There’s a difference between fresh lime and Rose’s lime, sour mix and fresh sour mix,” he says, and proves it with the “L,” a frothy libation made with Chambord, guava juice, sparkling wine, Level vodka and fresh blackberries. That may sound like a contemporary concoction, but according to Daniels’s mantra—“Old-school cocktails are freshly made cocktails”—any new cocktail can be old again. 301 E North Water St at Columbus Dr (312-755-2227).—David Tamarkin