Graham Elliot's Cheez-It-infused risotto
Stuck in a rut when it comes to eating out? Good thing the Chicago restaurant scene gets an injection of new life almost every week. Whether you want to know where to go tonight or what opening to mark on your calendar, our guide to fresh spots for feasting has all the details you crave.
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Ready to Digest
Dream of Italian perfection at Piccolo Sogno
Not since Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson co-crooned "The Girl Is Mine" has a collaboration so adeptly featured equal parts cheese and class. This might be the only Italian restaurant where hippie troubadour Jack Johnson and the coolest octogenarian musician ever Tony Bennet could comfortably slurp red sauced noodles together.
Nature rules at Freshii
Organic products are used whenever possible, and the chain prides itself on being sustainable. But, in addition to recycling, the restaurant is focused on serving up delicious, healthy fare like salad wraps, rice bowls and customizable salads with ingredients that range from toasted sunflower seeds to smoked bacon to goat cheese.
Grocery shopping should always be this fun at Cipollina
This tiny Italian grocer carries an imported apothecary of lavish goods. From mineral water to specialty meats, cheeses, bread and prepared sandwiches – their best asset is still their signature command of herbs like basil, lavender or rosemary in colorful flavor combinations.
Classy food in a classy setting at ajasteak
Shimmering in dual-level, floor to ceiling windows in the Dana Hotel, ajasteak certainly nails an elegantly hip class. And whereas other restaurants of its kind have trouble backing up such an image with an all-star culinary team to support it, ajasteak is proudly a double threat. Those in charge of the menu have seen work under French mastermind Jean-Georges Vongerichten and list other Asian hybrids Buddakan and Morimoto on their resume.
Middle East in the burbs at Mizrahi Grill
Mizrahi Grill, Highland Park’s Israeli restaurant, could not have found a better spot to lay its stake. You need not even walk in the doors to see the packed status of this Middle Eastern grill. The patio and dining room are full of people eagerly awaiting their kabobs and falafel. Prayers for Middle Eastern cuisine in Highland Park have been answered.
Dine seasonally at Perennial
Located in the new Park View Hotel, this bistro from the guys behind Boka and Butter showcases whimsical food in a dramatic space that includes floor-to-ceiling windows, natural stone floors and an indoor white birch tree. Try seasonal items like asparagus soup or house-made linguine with wild mushrooms and fava beans while lounging on the outdoor terrace, which offers a prime spot for Lincoln Park people-watching.
Eat up and dress down at Graham Elliot
When Graham Elliot Bowles worked as the executive chef at the Peninsula Hotel restaurant Avenues, he was clearly oppressed by the man. Now that he's free at this, his eponymous concept, waiters walk around in blue jeans and Converse lace-ups, an indie soundtrack booms throughout and meals featuring Cheez-It-infused risotto and Budweiser bubbles come on huge round IKEA plates.
Fuse away at Mexique
The menu of Mexican-French fusion does not belie the simple, trimless decorations of the restaurant – almost every dish simply carries the name of its main ingredient, and leaves the description on the page (perhaps to save you from tripping over two languages while ordering).
Go big at Texas de Brazil
Making its first foray into the city, this family owned Brazilian chain took its serving philosophy from the Texas cowboy. The dozen or so different seasoned meats are cooked to perfection over open flame grill and served on long skewers.
Roll up to Tamalli
The compact, 25 seat-space of this Logan Square restaurant makes it feel like you're almost in the kitchen; you'll be able to watch (and even converse with) the cooks as they fix your authentic Mexican meal including everything from make-your-own tacos to, yes, tamales.
Get a prix-fixe feast at Zed 451
You'll be bombarded with a variety of meats and fish at the River North location of this gourmet chain eatery; you can also make a meal out of the soup, salad and side dish bar, if that's your thing. Grab a cocktail in the lounge, linger in the wine bar or drink and dine alfresco on the rooftop deck.
Get stuck on Skewerz
As the name implies, this Polynesian-themed Wicker Park spot serves pretty much everything on a stick: filet mignon, chicken, salmon, shrimp, even bananas and chocolate. You won't be lacking for choices (there are three different rice options, and half a dozen condiment choices), but you might end up with a lighter wallet than you'd imagine.
Get organic with Cafe at Wild Things
Take a load off and munch on (mostly) organic sandwiches and paninis while you watch the animals at Lincoln Park Zoo's newest eatery. Don't worry, there's a kids menu for the little ones, too.
Eat adventurously at Piatto Pronto
There's something to be said for a deli that serves octopus salad by the pound. Normally it's the kind of dish you'd have to lay down a heap of cash to enjoy in a decent restaurant, but thanks to this Edgewater deli, you can take the stuff and run. And the delicacies don't stop at the ocean. You'll find a ton of meaty choices on Piatto's sandwich and panini menu.
Take a dip at L20
Chef Laurent Gras' raw-fish preparations, featuring monstrous domes of Osetra caviar, gold leaf flecks and expensive mushrooms, are so luxuriant that you may never be able to eat regular sushi again. The same can be said for his meat dishes, as his pork belly, bathed in truffles and glazed with duck fat (and sporting the crispiest skin around) is so good that every time you eat a simple slice of bacon, you'll be left wanting more.
Hot Off the Grill
Rollapalooza
Find maki rolls as far as the eye can see in the newest sushi place to hit Boystown.
Pinocchio's Pizza & Wings
We cannot tell a lie: Find solid thin-crust slices and wings on the Northwest Side.
Topaz
The former chef of Boka and mk cooks up classics at this contemporary American spot in Burr Ridge.
Reverence
Go organic at this Evanston breakfast/lunch spot.
Churrasco Brazil
Expect unlimited meats and salad selections at this Brazilian steakhouse in Villa Park.
Trattoria Valle d'Itria
This family-run casual Italian eatery offers items like thin-crust pizza and spaghetti with meatballs in Highland Park.
C-House
This upscale seafood spot in the Affinia Hotel serves fishy fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Viaggio Ristorante & Lounge
Take a trip to this casual Italian-American restaurant in the West Loop.
Haussmann Brasserie
Northfield welcomed a traditional French brasserie to its streets in May.
Inari Sushi
The man behind Elmwood Park's Massa opened this sushi restaurant in the space next door.
Depot Nuevo
This Wilmette eatery offers up contemporary Latin-American fare in a historic train depot.
Soul
Fill up on regional American fare at this Clarendon Hills restaurant.
HUB 51
Expect burgers, sushi, Mexican and more at this restaurant from the sons of LEYE founder Rich Melman.
Madame Tartine
The former BB's has morphed into a French brasserie.
Blue 13
This contemporary American restaurant offers inventive cuisine and arresting (tattoo-inspired) decor.
MANA Food Bar
Expect international vegetarian fare at this Wicker Park eatery.
Still Cooking
iCream
This Wicker Park cafe is the wave of the future in desserts, as you can get to choose your style, flavors and ingredients and watch it made in front of your eyes.
More
Get all the cupcakes you want at this specialty Gold Coast bakery, which should be open any day now.
Bonton
This Lombard European wine bar from the owner of the adjacent Praga will include modern decor, tapas and over 200 wines when it opens later this summer.
Eivissa
This tapas and sangria spot opens in July in Old Town.
Real Tenochtitlan
Expect amazing moles at this Logan Square spot from chef Geno Bahena, opening in mid-July.
Urban Belly
The chef of Le Lan is behind this noodle spot in Avondale, opening in July.
Red Mango
Get nonfat frozen yogurt at this Evanston spot, just in time for summer.
Ian's Pizza
Word has it that Madison's favorite pizzeria will open a Wrigleyville outpost sometime this summer.
Grand Station Restaurant & Cocktails
Expect classic American comfort food like roasted chicken, burgers, salads, seafood and steaks at this Arlington Heights restaurant, opening later this summer.
John's Place Roscoe Village
This home-style neighborhood spot opens a second location this summer, with a target date of late July.
Duchamp
Expect artfully presented, French-influenced cuisine at this casual Bucktown spot, opening at the end of July.
Olo
This expansive Mediterranean restaurant is set to hit downtown this summer.
Masada
The owners of Sultan's Market open this Logan Square Middle Eastern sit-down eatery this summer.
The Counter
This build-your-own burger spot opens in Lincoln Park this summer.
Briejo
This Oak Park spot will offer creative American comfort food, from pork chops to pizza. Opens in August.
Jackson Park Grill
This high-end restaurant (with executive chef Jason Paskewitz) takes over River North later this year.
Province
The former executive chef of Nacional 27 opens this Spanish-influenced spot in the West Loop this September.
Sunda
This modern Asian restaurant from the team behind Rockit Bar & Grill opens this fall in River North.
The Bristol
Mediterranean-infused dining comes to Bucktown in September.
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