Gogi 6240 N. California Ave. 773-274-6669 Korean $30 to $40 Chef: Chris Kim Website Anyone who’s into Korean barbecue will likely remain loyal to his go- to place. But Gogi, the brainchild of a former rock promoter named Pete Cho and his mother, Stella, entered the debate with a friendly, modern approach that … Read more
Tanta Best Meat Dish Rib eye a lo pobre Wet-aged beef in chorrillana sauce topped with a fried egg Kinmont Best Appetizer Salmon tartare A fine dice mixed with kicky condiments and ready to spread on housemade crisps Travelle Best Dessert Nutella baklava Delicate phyllo filled with Nutella ganache and chopped walnuts The Radler Best … Read more
Dusek's 1227 W. 18th St. 312-526-3851 New American $35 to $45 Chef-partner: Jared Wentworth Dining Guide listing Website Not long ago, a place like Dusek’s would have registered as little more than a blip on the radar. “Serious” diners wouldn’t have paid much mind to a casual, beer-focused neighborhood establishment that served things … Read more
Nico Osteria Thompson Hotel, 1015 N. Rush St. 312-994-7100 Italian $50 to $60 Chef: Erling Wu-Bower Dining Guide listing Website For most restaurateurs, Nico would constitute a masterpiece, the shining culmination of a career. For One Off Hospitality, an extraordinary empire that’s ruled by Paul Kahan, Donnie Madia, Terry Alexander, and four other … Read more
Tanta 118 W. Grand Ave. 312-222-9700 Peruvian $30 to $40 Chef: Jesus Delgado Dining Guide listing Website Oh, Gastón Acurio. You’re a superstar with 32 restaurants in 12 countries, so this probably means little to you, but on behalf of Chicago, please accept our apology. How ready we were to skewer you like … Read more
42 Grams 4662 N. Broadway New American $203.68 Chef-owner: Jake Bickelhaupt Dining Guide listing Website Less kooky than Elizabeth and less affordable than EL Ideas—and more polished than both—42 Grams acquits itself well as Chicago’s latest upscale dinner party restaurant. You and seven others sit at a deep stainless steel countertop abutting the … Read more
Brindille 534 N. Clark St. 312-595-1616 French $70 to $80 Chef-partner: Carrie Nahabedian Dining Guide listing Website While this boîte didn’t wow us when it opened last April, Carrie Nahabedian (Naha) stayed the course, and Brindille has matured into a destination for French cuisine in style and comfort. From soothing decor to tables … Read more
Cicchetti 671 N. St. Clair St. 312-642-1800 Italian $40 to $50 Executive chef: Michael Sheerin Dining Guide listing Website This sharp venetian-inspired osteria from Dan Rosenthal (Trattoria No. 10) suffered the unfortunate luck of opening at the same time as Nico Osteria, a higher-profile restaurant similar in concept and vibe. But with Michael … Read more
Kinmont 419 W. Superior St. 312-915-0011 Seafood $55 to $65 Chef: Duncan Biddulph Dining Guide listing Website Stifled yawns greeted the first news of an entirely sustainable seafood restaurant opening in River North. Even knowing the brain trust from Element Collective (Chris Dexter, Chris Freeman, Jared Van Camp, and John Warken) was behind … Read more
Mott St. 1401 N. Ashland Ave. 773-687-9977 Contemporary $30 to $40 Chef-partner: Edward Kim Dining Guide listing Edward Kim’s adventurous ode to a night market somewhere between Bangkok and Seoul—and follow-up to Ruxbin, his beloved BYO down the street—wins the award for this year’s most idiosyncratic opening. Crab brain fried rice? Kimchi empanadas … Read more
