It used to be that the only place to find bubble tea (that hot trend featuring fruity flavored liquids spiked with tapioca balls the size of marbles) was either Chinatown or the suburbs. Luckily, sinophiles need pine no longer: Cousins and co-owners Christine Fernandez and Rebecca Brady felt the North Side needed its own bubble tea house and opened one up in 2004.

The menu sports more than 50 flavors of bubble tea, which can be mixed and matched to create even more possibilities; choices range from the expected (strawberry, chocolate, mango, coconut) to the exotic (durian, red bean, Jack fruit). For those feeling peckish, sandwiches, hot popcorn and candy (both Japanese and American) round out the menu, as well as veggie chili and hot tea or cocoa for the colder months.

The place offers free wi-fi, with plenty of spots to hunker down solo or chat with friends. The bright yellow walls make the space feel upbeat and funky, along with the original artwork lining the walls (part of an art contest the owners do four times a year to help local high school artists earn money for their schools).

Centerstage Reviewer: Genevra Gallo