Summer is here! And after hibernating all winter, there really isn’t anything better than grabbing a bottle of wine or a few beers (or more than a few beers) and heading out for a good meal with friends. BYOB is not only fun addition to your restaurant experience, but allows you to dine out on a budget! Here are some favorite places in the Chicago neighborhood of Lakeview to check out.

Still hungover from last nite? Grab your bloody mary fixings and head to Orange, located at 3231 N Clark. Renowned for their delightfully innovative brunch menu, Orange offers everything from eggs Benedict to green eggs and ham to frushi (fresh fruit rolled with fruit-juice infused rice). There are always some fun specials on the menu as well (hello boysenberry ricotta-stuffed french toast!) The juice is all freshly squeezed, and the service is impeccable. If you rolled out of bed a bit late, Orange serves lunch and now dinner as well too. Though their dinner menu touts some fantastic dishes, such as horseradish-crusted filet or beef tenderloin kabobs, Orange is a shrine to breakfast that should not be missed. (Average brunch entrée is $8-10.)

If Japanese food is your thing, you ought to grab some saki and check out Café Furaibo at 2907 N Lincoln Ave.. This sushi eatery has a unique atmosphere that strikes a good balance between traditional and trendy. Asian art and soothing fountains are complimented by the walls vibrant colors and the modern tunes playing in the background. Their menu offers noodle and rice dishes of all sorts, but the best menu items are the sushi. Café Furaibo offers the traditional maki such as California rolls, but also has some tasty original rolls to offer. My favorite is the ‘green monster’ with spinach, shitake mushrooms, gourd, asparagus, avocado, olives, and cucumbers wrapped and flavored with a vinaigrette. And if nothing grabs your eye on the menu? The chefs at Café Furaibo also offer a ‘make-your-own’ roll. Just pick out the ingredients you would like, and your maki comes out of the kitchen made to your specifications. This restaurant wins not only for their atmosphere and menu, but also for their service and price. Nary a roll is over $10, and most are in the $4-8 range.

Got a date to impress? Take him or her to Adesso. At 3332 N Broadway, this cute bring-your-own-beverage place has cozy little tables and a menu to impress. The bold black and white print on the wall makes the space fun, but still sophisticated. The traditional fare is appealingly uncommon, like the spaghetti arrabiata, a spicy pasta with kalamatas, capers, garlic, and anchovies. And their more innovative fare, such as cornmeal crusted skate with red-pepper aioli, is refreshingly different. No dates in your near future? Adesso serves lunch and a weekend brunch as well, both of which offer a variety of dishes, especially some delicious paninis, sure to please. (Average entrée is $8-15.)

Adesso’s neighbor to the south, Pingpong (at 3322 N Broadway), is the perfect place to meet for dinner with friends. A trendy white and orange interior and loud, bumping music make it the perfect beginning to a night of clubbing. Plus the food is deliciously flavorful, yet light. And, if you left your wine in the cab on the way over, no worries. This place may be BYOB, but they offer an assortment of cocktails as well. Split a few appetizers (I highly recommend the softshell crab with ginger dipping sauce), or order a few entrees, of which they offer both rice and noodle varieties, all of which feature fresh and flavorful ingredients. And you will probably have leftovers, but no regrets on spending money for food you did not bag up for lunch tomorrow. Why? Because you can leave Pingpong completely full for under $15. Which leaves you more pocket money for drinks at the bar later!

Looking to get a little sassy? Grab a South American red wine, and head to Las Tablas, located at 2965 N Lincoln Ave. A Columbian restaurant, the atmosphere here is lively, with live music on Friday and Saturday, and the line for a table is out the door. Many local South Americans head here on the weekends to enjoy a night out and to reconnect with one another. Grilled chicken, pork, steak and seafood is full of spice and flavor, and is complimented well by the yucca and plantains served on the side. But don’t forget to save room for dessert! All the sweets here are fabulous, but the blackberry mousse and the coconut flan are not to be missed! (Entrees here range from $10-$20 for dinner.)

The wait at Las Tablas too long? Try Tango Sur! Though equally popular, Tango Sur takes reservations for large parties, so there is no waiting at the door indefinitely for a table. Located at 3763 N Southport, the neighbors all know this place is an amazing, and amazingly cheap, Argentinian grill/steakhouse. The house chimichurri sauce (a blend of olive oil, lemon, garlic, parsley, and basil) is amazing, and many of the entrees here are enough food for two. Alas, there are even menu items for the vegeterians. My favorite is an appetizer (that could serve as an entrée) called Berenjena. A lasagna-style dish, its layers of eggplant, spinach, provolone, parmesan, and ricotta in cream sauce is just delicious. If you are dining here, I highly recommend shopping at Que Syrah across the street for the perfect wine to compliment your meal. Check it and other wine shops in the aread out at http://hubpages.com/hub/lakeviewchicagowineshops. (Average entrée is $15.)

If you are looking for a BYOB place that offers a more eclectic experience, you should check out HB – Home Bistro, at 3404 N Halsted. Though Home Bistro is a little on the small side, this restaurant makes up for size with ambience. With the slight adobe/western styling and whimsical phrases painted around the room, the restaurant feels cozy and warm. The menu here is not huge, but its offerings are enticing. Seared salmon served over lemon polenta with tarragon pesto is original and divine. Tilapia becomes exciting when pan roasted with lemon, garlic, white beans, tomatoes, raisins, and crushed pistachios. The buzz and warmth of the place, and the satisfying food will make you want to linger over the bottle of vino you brought with you. (Average entrée is $15-$20. Or, dine on Wednesdays and get a three course meal of your choosing for only $25!)

At almost any hour of the day, Stella’s Diner will serve you up a cheeseburger and fries and a slice of apple pie a la mode to dream about. What could possibly make that experience any better? Perhaps a beer to go with your cheeseburger, or some Bailey’s Irish Cream to flavor your coffee! At this joint you can do just that. Diners are free to bring the alcoholic beverage of your choice to enjoy with the all-American fare. Located at 3042 N Broadway, Stella’s has been a neighborhood favorite for years, and only recently has its reputation caught on in larger circles. This greasy spoon has amazing cheese fries, club sandwiches, and everything else you love at a diner. And the price is right. (Average entrée is $5-$7.)