The apartment is great - clean, well equipped and cosy. Cable TV, good wifi, and a well equipped kitchen. Little things like a plentiful supply of toiletries and tea/coffee (including coffee beans!) were very much appreciated. The shower was powerful with plentiful hot water and there were washing facilities with washing powder etc provided (although we didn't use them). In short there was nothing we needed that wasn't provided.
The immediate area doesn't have a lot in the way of bars and restaurants but there is an absolute gem at the end of the road - Feed - serving good, very cheap, Southern-style food. There is also a good bar (The Beetle) a ten minute walk away. Having said this there are bus stops five minutes away which will take you all the way to Navy Pier (and downtown) or to Logan Square (where there are some great bars etc).
If you are travelling from O'Hare buy a travel card and take the blue line to California and then a 52 bus from outside the station to round the corner from Evan's - it will cost you $5. We were advised at the airport to get a taxi for $50 - glad we didn't listen!