Along Addison Street in Boystown, you can escape to a place much like Alice's Wonderland. Chicago's own rabbit-hole tunnel leads to a small nook full of enchantment and oddity. Stepping near the Flower Flat Cafe, you're greeted with a rainbow of overflowing floral supply from the restaurant/boutique. On a sunny day, owner Bruce Jasinski may welcome you with a flute serenade or a friendly introduction to his beloved bulldog pal, Kingston.

Inspired by similar spots in Amsterdam, Jasinski set forth to create his own European haven by relying upon the powers of flowers, food and music. His realized vision brings together a hodge-podge of decor—accumulated over the years through garage sales and hand-me downs from Mom—and daily specials. The menu, etched onto a small chalkboard complete with random Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle drawings, depends on Jasinki's whim, as does everything else in the cafe. He's a local farmers market regular, buying whatever flowers and ingredients he finds appealing at that particular moment.

Resembling the inside of a kaleidoscope, the interior mixes and matches fabrics, textures, knick-knacks and colors. Old-world globes, aquariums, paintings and other random items hang here and there throughout the itsy-bitsy dining area (more than 10 people would be a crowd) and shop.

Favorite food items range from mini-blts and mini-tacos to the chicken and mushroom casserole. However, breakfast and brunch dishes really wow the crowd, especially the cranberry French toast and corned beef hash. And pickier eaters, have no fear, anything can be made to your liking. A light snack or meal won't cost you more than $10. Before you go back into the mundane reality that awaits you outside the cafe's door, pick out some flowers to brighten your day and serve as a souvenir of your Wonderland-like visit.

Centerstage Reviewer: Paige Gray