Mas Alla Del Sol 5848 N. Broadway, 773-654-1900 Best date-night dinner: The vibe (friendly) and noise level (low enough to talk) are just right at this modern cantina, which serves big portions of tasty Tex-Mex and great guac. First Slice Pie Café 5357 N. Ashland Ave., 773-275-4297 Best dessert destination: Granted, it’s hot as an … Read more
Pizza: It’s a big deal in this city. Who is this year’s king?
Two mouth-watering burgers with modern sensibilities.
Ruxbin 851 N. Ashland Ave., 312-624-8509 Best date-night dinner: Weekend wait times are long. But slip into this 32-seat BYO on a weeknight and indulge in progressive white-tablecloth-worthy dining in an utterly chill enviroment. Black Dog Gelato 859 N. Damen Ave., 773-235-3116 Best dessert destination: Intriguing flavors such as sea salt caramel and coconut thyme … Read more
Reno 2607 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-697-4234 Best date-night dinner: One of the wood-fired thin-crust pizzas at this spot, opened last November by the team behind Telegraph and Webster’s Wine Bar, is the perfect shareable meal. Bang Bang Pie Shop 2051 N. California Ave., 773-276-8888 Best dessert destination: Indulge in a slice of one of the … Read more
Riccardo Trattoria 2119 N. Clark St., 773-549-0038 Best date-night dinner: Lively and easygoing, Riccardo has an authentic Italian menu and a seductive la dolce vita ambiance. You’re having grappa with dessert? Live it up. Molly’s Cupcakes 2536 N. Clark St., 773-883-7220 Best dessert destination: These cupcakes are so good they’re practically fadproof, and the rest … Read more
Gather 4539 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-506-9300 Best date-night dinner: This newcomer to the avenue makes sophisticated food that ranges from a solid burger to hamachi crudo. Nab a seat on the serene and inviting back patio. Cafe Selmarie 4729 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-989-5595 Best dessert destination: Mobbed as a brunch destination but underrated as a … Read more
Tried Malort yet? If not, trust the bar that dedicates a tap to the absinthe-like local spirit made from wormwood and rejected as moonshine-grade swill by some.
The standing-room-only Fumaré Meats knocks out a pastrami sandwich that will stop even the fiercest corned beef partisans in their tracks.
La Fournette 1547 N. Wells St., 312-624-9430, lafournette.com Best new: Walking into this adorable new bakery and café in Old Town, you might be distracted by the cases filled with colorful macarons, fanciful spritz cookies, and alluring quiches. But press on. The bread racks at La Fournette are lined with savory leaf-shaped olive fougasses, great … Read more
