Packages: Chicago’s Best New Restaurants

Five new spots where the food is worth waiting (and waiting) in line for

  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

  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

Five more to watch for

  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

How many of this year’s best new restaurants have you been to? Use this checklist to count, then share your results on Twitter or Facebook. Or, print this PDF and take the list with you.

  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