Ricky Dinh, a veteran of many kitchens along the Asia on Argyle enclave in Uptown, brings something fresh to this restaurant set on the outskirts of Chinatown. Vietnamese seafood is the specialty here, and you’ll find market-fresh shellfish — razor clams, sea snails, giant Pacific oysters — in a variety of preparations. Our faves are the oysters grilled on … Read more
One of the most-talked-about spots of late, Joe Frillman’s Daisies isn’t new, but with its move nearby to a brighter, airier space, the addition of Leigh Omilinsky (pictured, below) as pastry chef-partner, and extra daytime hours, it certainly feels like a fresh addition to the city’s dining scene. The dinner menu also expanded, but, thankfully, … Read more
Nearly 20 years in, Michael Carlson’s exercise in punk gastronomy may no longer be the agenda setter it once was, but that’s only because other standouts have caught up to him. At this minimalist, one-room BYO, the young dudes in the kitchen, under chef de cuisine Caleb Trahan, hand-deliver their dozen or more creations to … Read more
There are times you want the whole steakhouse song and dance, and then there are other times you just want the steak. For those, this French-German bistro never fails. Its seasonal menu switches things up but always has a place for oysters, shrimp cocktail, big salads, and either a value-priced steak frites or a choice … Read more
The metro area’s most vibrant and of-the-moment Korean cooking happens along this suburban stretch of Milwaukee Avenue, where international Korean chains compete with homegrown talent, and every restaurant has a specialty, whether beef soup (Claypot), Chinese-Korean cooking (Paik’s Noodles), or grilled intestines (Gopchang Story). Our favorite, from native Koreans James Shin and Brian Lee, is … Read more
Bayan Ko owners Lawrence Letrero (pictured) and Raquel Quadreny have always smartly melded Filipino and Cuban flavors for an original take on both cuisines, but when they began offering a $95 five-course tasting menu, they showed how seamlessly these two cuisines can work together at a higher level. You’ll start with a soul-soothing bowl of … Read more
Even if it’s just a random Tuesday, dining at Noon-O-Kabab, an anchor of Albany Park’s Persian scene (there’s also a shiny new location in Highwood), feels like a celebration. The room has a lively din, and everyone is there to dig into the vibrant flavors — and large portions — found all across the menu. So even if you’re … Read more
Chicago has so many great places for pizza but this is the one that takes us to Italy: the comfy dining rooms set with sturdy wooden tables, the indulgent service (you’ll be offered some hunger-staving focaccia by the front if you have to wait), the menu that aims to satisfy rather than impress. Start with … Read more
Sure, the terrace at this Peninsula Hotel property affords stunning views of the city and feels like a hidden oasis during warmer months. On the surface, it’s the star of the show. Hence the name. The cozy inside, however, is where you want to try chef Elmo Han’s refined Chinese cooking. Nowhere else do you … Read more
Do you like fried fish sandwiches? Then please bookmark this page now: The catfish po’ boy here is the best you’ll ever have. You know that thing when the fish is dry and crackly on the surface and then just bursts into juice and steam when you bite in? Imagine that tightly encased in a … Read more
