Jerry Kleiner's colors are on display at Park 52.
Stuck in a rut when it comes to eating out? Good thing the Chicago restaurant scene gets an injection of new life almost every week. Whether you want to know where to go tonight or what opening to mark on your calendar, our guide to fresh spots for feasting has all the details you crave.
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Ready to Digest
Park yourself at Park 52
Jerry Kleiner (Room 21, Carnivale) is behind this colorful American bistro in Hyde Park. Executive Chef Chris Barron works in the open kitchen, concocting items like BBQ braised beef short ribs, lump crab cakes and ricotta cheesecake.
Feed your sweet tooth at Twisted Sister Bakery
One might expect something punk rock, grunge or even goth about a bakery called Twisted Sister, but that's before opening the elegant French doors, floral designs bordering the glass, into the quant Victorian setting of this all-natural pastry shop offering affordable and delicious sweet treats.
Drink long and prosper at Shochu
This stylish Lakeview lounge, named after the trendy distilled Japanese spirit, offers creative low-calorie (and low-alcohol) cocktails in a low-key, conversation-friendly atmosphere. Just as crave-worthy are the Asian-inspired small plates, including skewered shrimp and Asian pear with blueberry teriyaki sauce.
Dig into local fro-yo at Yoberri
While many of the corporate behemoths and franchise-ready, MBA-run operations battle it out over who has more live active cultures in their yogurt or more modern furniture in their storefront, this less glitzy Lakeview spot is quietly staking a claim as the local mom-and-pop face of yogurt.
Go soft at Starfruit
This Wicker Park shop specializes in frozen, soft-serve Kefir, a yogurt-like product possessing live active cultures thought to have a ton of health benefits. It originated near Russia in the Caucus mountains over 2000 years ago, where it was stored in animal skin bags hung in a doorway. Thankfully, these days you can just get yours straight from a Taylor machine.
Coast over to Big Jones
This Andersonville establishment's Southern fare is more high-class than homegrown, but you won't be thinking much about tradition once you sink your teeth into tasty dishes like jalapeno gator sausage, baby-back ribs and crab-and-wild-mushroom pie. All you'll care about is getting another bite.
Go carb-crazy at Trattoria Pizzeria I Monelli
Run by a couple of Italian men who are truly serious about the foods of their homeland, this Lincoln Square hot spot offers up inexpensive, rustic Italian fare. Favorite appetizers include classics like garlicky bruschetta and thick, smoky scamorza cheese, but the square-cut pizzas really warrant repeat visits.
Have a Middle Eastern feast at Habibi
This Lebanese restaurant practically bubbles with Middle Eastern personality and charm, from the Pyramid-laden wallpaper to the cheap Lebanese fare, including shawerma, kababs, salads and more. Best of all, you'll be treated like a king by the accommodating owner.
Squeeze into Little India
Little India isn't just a name; it also describes the size of this really good Indian restaurant just 25 steps from the Bryn Mawr L stop. But what it lacks in size—and trust us, it certainly lacks—it more than makes up for in quality food, service and visual decor.
Overeat without the meat Veggie Bite (Wicker Park)
The second location of this South Side all-vegan spot (the first is in the Mt. Greenwood neighborhood), Veggie Bite serves up junk-food staples like chili-cheese fries, burgers, dogs and buffalo wings with one major difference: no meat.
Go green and clean at Mado
Though he trained at fussy haute spots like 312 Chicago, Le Titi de Paris and North Pond, chef Rob Levitt is more interested in serving up rustic, homestyle fare at this new Bucktown spot. While he's butchering whole animals or making fresh pasta, his wife (and co-owner), Allison, does triple duty as the pastry chef, savory chef and environmental-rights enforcer for this very green-conscious restaurant.
Choose your dining destiny at Purgatory Pizza
Appropriately, this pizza joint (from the owner of Risque Cafe next door) is located between two extremes: the sports-centric bars around Wrigley Field and the shops by Clark and Belmont. It manages to appeal to everyone with simple decor (beyond the flaming wall mural), an eclectic jukebox, craft beers and nearly 30 available toppings.
Sample a classic American pairing at Chicago's Home of Chicken and Waffles
This Bronzeville restaurant (formerly Chicago's Rosscoe's) puts a new face on an old concept, featuring platters heaped with fried chicken and fluffy waffles, in addition to a la carte options such as livers, giblets, thighs and wings. Prepare for long waits and loud jazz.
Chill with Queen City natives at Cinner's
Chocolate-laden and allspice-perfumed Cincinnati-style chili is the focus at this Lincoln Square spot. Get it served however you like (on top of spaghetti with cheese, beans and onions, inside of a muffin, slathered onto a hot dog), and consider adding on one of the Cincy-themed cocktails.
Just wing it at Take Me Out
It's no surprise that Take Me Out owner Karen Lim is a former teacher, because she's definitely schooling Chicago on what a crunchy, deep-fried chicken wing should taste like. Her wings, dubbed "Little Hotties," are made from a recipe cribbed from her father, Nai Tiao, who made them famous at his Albany Park spot, Great Sea. They feature a ginger, soy, garlic and chili glaze that leaves your tongue satisfied and your lips aflame.
Get intimate with your noodles at Pho Xua Restaurant
Can pho be romantic? Perhaps the act of slurping broth from a spoon with one hand and devouring meat by-products with the other isn't the sultriest act, but the atmosphere at Pho Xua sure makes it seem sexy. Soft lighting, cushy oversize chairs, terracotta-hued floors and oak paneled walls give the place all the charm of a lush courtyard garden (without any of the pesky bugs). Oh yeah, there are some top-notch noodles, too.
Hot Off the Grill
L.20
The new Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, a high-end seafood spot, features food from celebrated chef Laurent Gras.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar (River North)
This chain restaurant features prime beef and 100 wines by the glass. The 14,000-square-foot River North location features a contemporary environment full of flowers and elegant table settings.
Mizrahi Grill
Fresh, kosher Israeli food is the focus at this Highland Park restaurant: hummus, baba ghanouj, falafel.
Topaz
The former chef of Boka and mk cooks up classics at this contemporary American spot in Burr Ridge.
Churrasco Brazil
Expect unlimited meats and salad selections at this Brazilian steakhouse in Villa Park.
Zed 451
You can get a prix-fixe feast at this River North spot.
Trattoria Valle d'Itria
This family-run casual Italian eatery offers items like thin-crust pizza and spaghetti with meatballs in Highland Park.
Gaetano's
Regional Italian fare comes to Forest Park.
Veerasway
Sample modern Indian fare in the West Loop.
Skewerz
Stick it to typical takeout options at this new Wicker Park spot.
Mixteco Grill
Fire-grilled Mexican cuisine is the focus at this Lincoln Square restaurant.
Piatto Pronto
This Edgewater Italian deli imports fresh foods for you.
C-House
This upscale seafood spot in the Affinia Hotel begins serving lunch and dinner in June, but breakfast is available now.
Bull-eh-Dia's Tapas Bar
Get your fill of tapas and sangria at this two-story Lakeview establishment.
Chocolate Grape
This Wicker Park wine and chocolate cafe has everything you need for a sweet evening.
Viaggio Ristorante & Lounge
Take a trip to this casual Italian-American restaurant in the West Loop.
Still Cooking
Epic Burger
Satisfy those massive burger cravings with an all-natural sandwich at this South Loop spot, opening May 16.
Cafe at Wild Things
This all-organic cafe and concession stand opens at the Lincoln Park Zoo on May 23.
Inari Sushi
The man behind Elmwood Park's Massa is opening this sushi restaurant in the space next door sometime in May.
Briejo
This Oak Park spot will offer creative American comfort food, from pork chops to pizza. Opens in May.
Perennial
The forces behind Boka and Landmark bring this casual bistro to the Old Town Triangle 'hood in May.
Graham Elliot
The former Avenues chef (and "Iron Chef America" contestant) strikes out on his own with this "bistronomic" restaurant, opening in May.
Bonton
This Lombard European wine bar from the owner of the adjacent Praga will include modern decor, tapas and over 200 wines when it opens in May.
More
Get all the cupcakes you want at this specialty bakery, opening in May.
Soul
Fill up on regional American fare at this Clarendon Hills restaurant, opening in May.
Mexique
French-influenced Mexican fare is the focus at this new West Town spot, opening in late-May.
Red Mango
Get nonfat frozen yogurt at this Evanston spot, just in time for spring.
HUB 51
Expect burgers, sushi, Mexican and more at this restaurant from the sons of LEYE founder Rich Melman, opening this spring.
ajasteak
This Asian-inspired steakhouse and sushi restaurant opens in the new Dana Hotel and Spa on June 13.
Eivissa
This tapas and sangria spot opens mid- to late-June in Old Town.
Jackson Park Grill
This high-end restaurant (with executive chef Jason Paskewitz) takes over River North in June.
Ian's Pizza
Word has it that Madison's favorite pizzeria will open a Wrigleyville outpost in June.
Real Tenochtitlan
Expect amazing moles at this Logan Square spot from chef Geno Bahena, opening in June.
Urban Belly
The chef of Le Lan is behind this noodle spot in Avondale, opening in June.
Grand Station Restaurant & Cocktails
Expect classic American comfort food like roasted chicken, burgers, salads, seafood and steaks at this Arlington Heights restaurant, opening in June.
John's Place Roscoe Village
This home-style neighborhood spot opens a second location this summer.
Duchamp
Expect artfully presented, French-influenced cuisine at this casual Bucktown spot, opening this summer.
MANA Food Bar Expect international vegetarian fare at this Wicker Park eatery, opening this summer.
Province
The former executive chef of Nacional 27 opens this Spanish-influenced spot in the West Loop this September.
Sunda
This modern Asian restaurant from the team behind Rockit Bar & Grill opens this fall in River North.
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