If a three-course meal isn't in the cards, hit the lounge for $14 lobster rolls and offbeat cocktails. Read more.
Buy the cookbook before dinner and follow along and be courteous with your cameras, others are simply trying to enjoy their experience. - Inspector
Want a star-level meal that won’t leave you in a heavy food coma? The light, fresh, and delicious fare at Blackbird is a wonderful option. - Inspector
Although the selection of à la carte dishes are all worthy of your palate, consider opting for the pricier Grand Tasting Menu for a peek into the creative mind of Chef Guiseppe Tentori. - Inspector
After the nervous drive to this BYOB, you see Talbott, the relaxed, warm host/waiter/sommelier. He learns your name, attends to your wine and sets the tone that makes dining a one-of-a-kind experience Read more.
Midwestern foods dominate 20 courses. Desserts are savory-sweet, like carrot cake + blue cheese ice cream, porcini caramel. - Green Guide Editor
In a city of summits, Chef Joho elevates the flavors of his native Alsace with stunning success at this art deco jewel box. - Inspector
The chef brings precision to every dish on the eight-course tasting menu, highlights of which include a luxurious chestnut-mushroom soup and a Cinderella pumpkin semifreddo coated in nougatine powder. Read more.
Grace's fine dining has been wowing diners, and media, from its inception. A glass-enclosed kitchen, spot-on wine pairings, and fascinating backstory only add to the draw. [Eater 38 Member]
Don't miss the foie-ly pops, foie gras rolled in pop rocks all on a stick. This is haute cuisine that looks like junk food. -- Andrew Zimmern, Bizarre Foods Read more.
Try the Forest mushrooms from our 100 Best list: Founding chef Laurent Gras left. Michelin took away two stars. When we ate this wild and brooding mushroom dish at L2O, we couldn’t have cared less.
Hearty plates like slow-braised lamb shank or crisp-skinned roast chicken bring high-class appeal to American classics. – Green Guide Editor
Logan Square's gastropub, with a kick-ass whisky selection, has made national headlines and even got a Michelin star. Like a nose-to-tail approach? So does chef Jared Wentworth. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
A formidable blend of French technique and ethereally delicious Mexican ingredients await all those who dine here. And hopefully a glimpse of adorable chef Carlos Gaytan. - Inspector
In Homaro Cantu's restaurant, past trickery included a play on egg-drop soup in which frozen-egg and microgreen pellets were dropped into soup, and seared beef was paired with “caramelaserized wine.” Read more.
The perpetually hopping NAHA serves a wonderful lounge and cocktail menu that can be enjoyed at the bright and spacious bar, which is inviting and a hospitable dining option. - Inspector
The ever-changing offerings have included marrow-crusted flat iron steak with rutabaga-langue cake and rainbow chard and French horn mushroom porcini-madeira soup—lovely reminders of the time of year. Read more.
The most unlikely BYO in town. The kitchen team double as waiters and serve some stunners: ravioli with liquid quail egg yolk and buffalo, and sous vide antelope loin with antelope ragù. Read more.
Everything here is gluten free. Order sea scallops, or pan-seared foie gras atop caramel corn crème brûlée. – Green Guide Editor
The artistically presented food includes dishes such as clam, frog leg and snail risotto and loin of Red Fallow deer. Looking to impress a client or a date? This spot is for you. Read more.
For a romantic dinner, one of the very private booths is ideal. However, if you are a foodie, a table by the glass-enclosed exhibition kitchen is great too. - Inspector
Try the almond soup from our 100 Best list: When is a soup the most satisfying part of a midsummer meal? When it is as cool, smooth & balanced (sweet, acidic grapes; rich, savory almonds) as this one.
This high-end spot has the traditional fare (caviar, tartare) as well as a wide variety of creative new dishes: Moroccan-spiced Scottish salmon with Meyer lemon and Israeli couscous is a recent fave.
Between the rustic Italian fare, heavenly desserts, and fantastic cocktail list, the partnership between the Bristol and Boka groups doesn't show any signs of slowing down. [Eater 38 Member]
Where else can you get a beer, a taco and a shot of whisky for under $10? Leave it to Blackbird exec chef Paul Kahan to make it happen. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The Bristol chef Chris Pandel does things with animal parts most others wouldn't dare and the experience is heightened because of it. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Carriage House has brought thoughtful Southern cuisine, and cocktails, to the Division Street bar scene. Stop in anytime now that they've begun brunch and lunch service. [Eater 38 Member]
Sure it's tough to get in, but Stephanie Izard's hamachi crudo with crisp pork belly; pappardelle with goat, pork and veal sugo; and intricate veggie dishes make it worth the wait. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
If it were just fish and chips and chowdah, we'd still be won over; but everything you'd think you're on one of the coasts. [Eater 38 Member]
One of four Chinatown spots owned by Tony Hu, the focus here is on Szechwan dishes, ranging from the basic to the downright adventurous. [Eater 38 Member]
Highlights include a fennely kabocha squash soup, with caramelized pumpkinseeds and truffle foam, and a magnificent Kobe beef filet with trumpet royale mushrooms and shallot sauce. Read more.
A welcoming, gorgeous and bustling interior, upscale rustic French food by chef Jeff Pikus and delish cocktails puts this hot spot in high demand. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Try the Autumn Scene at Next: Childhood from our 100 Best list: This stunning, intriguing, arresting, intricate, beguiling array of shoots and leaves is like a salad we want to live in.
Jason Hammel and Jason Vincent give us another reason to travel to Pilsen: their impeccably prepared rustic seasonal fare and a cool, modern Kevin Heisner-designed room to eat in. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Sure the massive Chinese menu is daunting as hell, but go with a group and you only need to know about one thing: the roasted Peking duck served tableside. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The Sheerin brothers have outdone themselves with a polarizing menu of upscale charcuterie. Everyone has an opinion on this spot. [Eater 38 Member]
Bill Kim turned noodles and dumplings on their head when he opened this downscale joint with incredibly flavorful food in a middle-of-nowhere strip mall. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
A cute spot where you can go for a quick glass of Sherry or wine at the bar or have a romantic dinner over Spanish small plates. [Eater 38 Member]
Try one of the dipped beef sandwiches - they've been a Chicago staple for 70 years. As seen on Man v Food: Chicago.
What do you get when you pair owners of Small Bar and the former chef from Mirai? A magical little sushi spot in West Town that delivers incredible flavors in its surprise platings. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
Charles Joly leads the beverage program and has been turning over the cocktail list. Sit on the patio on a nice night or try your luck and see if you can get into the exclusive Office underneath.
The boricua (with marinated beef of course) and asian pork meatball sandwiches here are two of the best in town. Finish with a soft serve topped with Vietnamese cinnamon carmel. - Inspector
Try the Chestnut doughnut from our 100 Best list: It doesn’t get any better, any fresher, any more flavorful, any airier than this.
The patio is an extension of both the restaurant (50 seats) and the lounge (15 seats). In recognition of that fact, the restaurant's serving boozy snow cones in flavors like gin with ginger and lime. Read more.
Sophistication, affordable gastropub fare and classic cocktails reign at owner Brendan Sodikoff's gilded age-inspired River North hotspot. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
What’s my take on the age-old argument: New York thin crust versus Chicago deep dish? Let’s just say, I’m a Brooklyn guy, but Gino's tests my loyalty. – Adam Richman, Man v. Food
Although the chicken is the star, the side dishes are also making waves.
Duck fat fries and encased meats? Somewhat of a no brainer. That 30-minute-plus wait every time? Totally worth it. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
If you can stand your big, fat gourmet burger with headbanging pulsating metal music, go get in line now. There aren't many better burgers in Chicago. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
The Malnatis are considered the first family of deep-dish pizza in Chicago. – Camille Ford, Food Wars Read more.
Don’t let the name fool you—it’s not just desserts here; the seasonal, savory menu is just as tempting. Chef Mindy Segal is a stickler for seasonality, so expect an ever-changing assortment of dishes. Read more.
Try the “cake and shake,” a slice of layered buttermilk chocolate cake paired with a vanilla malted milkshake served in a double shot glass.
The latest Land and Sea Dept. project was kept quiet for months and opened unannounced. Now that it's open, however, diners are flocking for the fried chicken, fish, and Negroni slushies.
Rick Bayless introduced Mexican street food to the masses, who line up daily for huevos rancheros for breakfast and return for pork belly tortas and seafood caldos at lunch. [Eater 38 Member] Read more.
