
The Wanderer
Via Italy, Scotland, London, Northern Ireland, a cruise ship, and the line at Charlie Trotter’s, the peripatetic Isacco Vitali arrives in the western suburbs at Isacco Kitchen (210 Cedar St., St. Charles; 630-444-0202), which opened at...
Re-Tayloring
Change of plans: What was slated to be the second location of Nella Pizzeria Napoletana (2423 N. Clark St.; 773-327-3400) at 1359 West Taylor Street has transmogrified into Davanti Enoteca, an Italian small-plates concept with Luigi Negroni (Carlucci) as chef. The owner of both places, Scott Harris, says, “Nella [Grassano, a partner at Nella] is just not ready.
A First Look at Gilt Bar
Some trusted FODs checked out Gilt Bar (230 W. Kinzie St.; 312-464-9544), the new American restaurant in the good-food–short-tenure space across from the Merchandise Mart (Aigre Doux, Pili Pili, Havana Club), when it opened Tuesday night. Here’s their report:
Advertisement
10 places everyone's talking about—and dining at—in March. In order of heat:
LONGMAN & EAGLE Just when gastropubs reach a tipping point, along comes one with sleeping quarters upstairs. Talk about an overnight success. 2657 N. Kedzie Ave.; 773-276-7110
BIG STAR Memories of the Pontiac Cafe fade a little more with each taco. 1531 N. Damen Ave.; 773-235-4039
XOCO Now that he serves the best tortas and churros in town, are there any worlds left for Rick Bayless to conquer? 449 N. Clark St.; 312-334-3688
THE PURPLE PIG This little piggy laughed, “Hee, hee, hee!” all the way home. 500 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-464-1744
DMK BURGER BAR You’ve got about as much chance of scoring a seat at this burger joint as you do of winning the lottery. In fact . . . 2954 N. Sheffield Ave.; 773-360-8686
MACKU SUSHI Macku Chan could put jellybeans on top of sushi and Lincoln Parkers would still be breaking down the doors. 2239 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-880-8012
CERES’ TABLE Does Uptown need a mayor? Giuseppe Scurato has already brought the neighborhood to its knees. 4882 N. Clark St.; 773-878-4882
NELLA PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA For pizza geeks, the mirror over Nella’s prep area is more exciting than a mirror over a bed. 2423 N. Clark St.; 773-327-3400
BISTRO BORDEAUX Somewhere in that massive pile of frites lies the DNA for a good bistro. 618 Church St., Evanston; 847-424-1483
BALSAN You know it’s an upscale hotel when its “casual” restaurant has a $36 rib eye on the menu. Elysian Hotel, 11 E. Walton St.; 312-646-1400
![]() |
Recipe File: Fly by Night |

We Eat Chicago is a Facebook fan page dedicated to finding everything worth eating in our city, one dish at a time. Join us!