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Hugo’s Frog Bar and Fish House, 1024 N. Rush, 312.640.0999. Seafood. Dinner daily. Bar opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays, 3 p.m. on weekends. Piano bar nightly. The décor is nautical; the fish could only be fresher if they swam in by themselves. Entrées come with salad or soup. Desserts are sized for a whale of an appetite.
Ina’s, 1235 W. Randolph, 312.226.8227. American. Breakfast daily. Lunch Mon.–Sat., Dinner Tues.–Sat. This is the place to kick start the day with a meal prepared by owner Ina Pinkney, known as the “Breakfast Queen.” She also brings her belief in healthy foods with innovative touches prepared with loving care to lunch and dinner. Be sure to note her collection of whimsical salt and pepper shakers that differ at each table.
Italian Village, 71 W. Monroe, 312.332.7005. Northern Italian. Lunch, dinner daily. This second-floor spot is designed to look like a small Italian town, complete with twinkling lights overhead. Shoppers who take a midday break will find salads, pizzas, pastas and house specialties. Theatergoers can catch a quick bite before the show or have a leisurely one afterwards, with choices such as chicken alla Marsala and osso buco.
Jack's on Halsted, 3201 N. Halsted, 773.244.9191. Contemporary American. Dinner daily. While this storefront is on a bustling street corner, its ambiance is intimate. The cuisine on the moderately priced menu is defined as contemporary American, but it reflects Chicago's multicultural population. Beef tenderloin skewers are paired with a golden raisin chutney, duck is presented in wontons, salmon is scented with lemongrass and garlic, other dishes are accented with garlic, truffle oil and Mediterranean herbs.
Jackson Park Bar & Grill, 444 N. Wabash, 312.644.7200. Contemporary American. Sun.–Fri. lunch and dinner, Sat dinner only. In a tribute to Chicago's past this dramatic restaurant was named for the place where the city’s 1893 World Columbian Exposition took place and designed in a Beaux Arts style that reflects Chicago's architectural legacy. Chef Jason Paskewitz
creates uncomplicated,
contemporary dishes, inspired by American, French and Italian classics, where quintessential flavors of ingredients stand out.
Japonais, 600 W. Chicago, 312.822.9600. Contemporary Japanese. Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner daily. A former warehouse overlooking the Chicago River has been transformed into a seductive industrial chic bi-level setting for trendsetters. Traditional and contemporary sushi shares the menu with creative Japanese-inspired dishes such as seven-spice Kobe prime rib with satsumaimo pommes frites.
Julius Meinl, 3601 N. Southport, 773.868.1857. Viennese Coffeehouse. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. This is a Viennese coffeehouse par excellence brought to Chicago by Julius Meinl, whose family has been roasting coffee in Austria for more than 100 years. The cups of coffee are generous, the short menu lists soup, sandwiches and salads. The Viennese pastries, including a small chocolate cake with a molten center, are irresistible.
Kamehachi, 1400 N. Wells, 312.664.3663. Japanese. Lunch Mon.–Sat., dinner daily. This restaurant, with a diverse menu, introduced Chicagoans to sushi when it opened in 1967. Some regulars like the serenity of the first-floor dining room; others prefer the hip sushi bar upstairs.
Keefer’s, 20 W. Kinzie, 312.467.9525. American steakhouse. Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner Mon.–Sat. Dark wood, leather booths and a fireplace create a clubby feel, while floor-to-ceiling windows and turquoise glassware add unique touches. The menu includes steaks and seafood, but followers of acclaimed chef John Hogan come for his French-influenced specialties.
Khyber Pass, Columbus Plaza, 233 E. Wacker, 312.856.1810 1031 Lake St., Oak Park, 708.445.9032. Indian. Lunch and dinner daily. Experience this exotic culinary passage to Indian cuisine at their new location downtown on East Wacker. Khyber Pass specializes in Dumbuc Khana (cooking in a pot with steam) and Tandoori Khana (roasting in a clay oven over charcoal). They also offer many vegetarian and heart-healthy options.
Kiki’s Bistro, 900 N. Franklin, 312.335.5454. French. Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner Mon.–Sat. Owner Georges “Kiki” Cuisance, a French native and longtime Chicago restaurateur, makes everyone feel at home at his place, which is the epitome of French country charm, where diners can practice the art of conversation. The menu offers well-prepared classics and creative seafood dishes reminiscent of Kiki’s homeland.
La Donna, 5146 N. Clark, 773.561.9400. Regional Italian. Brunch Sat.–Sun., lunch and dinner daily. Dark wood, a vintage tin ceiling, stained-glass light fixtures and white table linens create a charming setting for this lively, family-owned eatery. Diners will find risottos, veal, chicken and seafood dishes inspired by the regional culinary traditions of Italy, or they can be creative and mix and match the house-made pastas with a choice of sauces.
La Madia, 59 W. Grand, 312.329.0400. Italian. Lunch and dinner daily. A cool, contemporary decor cheerfully co-habits with a traditional Italian wood-burning oven. Thin-crust pizzas come with a wide array of toppings from house-made fennel sausage paired with sweet peppers and Vidalia onions to Taleggio complemented with roasted Vin Santo grapes. Pastas and risottos are enhanced with seasonal ingredients, a selection of hot and cold mini-paninis. The extensive wine lists offers Old World and New World options.
La Sardine, 111 N. Carpenter, 312.421.2800. French. Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner Mon.–Sat. High spirits reign in this spacious, friendly bistro. The menu of chef/ owner Jean-Claude Poilevey offers the well-loved classic dishes of his native France. A prix-fixe dinner once a week and wines at half price on Mondays receive bravos.
La Scarola, 721 W. Grand, 312.243.1740. Italian. Lunch Mon.–Fri., dinner daily. Diners are made to feel like a member of a big Italian family as they sit elbow to elbow at this popular small storefront. Photos of celebs, such as Frank Sinatra taken with the owner, hang on the wall. Chicken cacciatore, veal primavera, pastas and other hearty classics are served in portions for people with big appetites.
La Tache, 1475 W. Balmoral, 773.334.7168. French bistro. Dinner daily, brunch Sun. The cozy setting makes this a perfect place for a romantic getaway. Chef Anthony Saltasia offers a choice of two cuts of beef for the steak frites, served with four sauces as well as a rabbit pot au feu. Classic profiteroles are served with a chocolate caramel sauce.
Landmark, 1633 N. Halsted, 312.587.1600. Contemporary American. Dinner Tues.–Sun. Trendsetters strut their stuff late into the night at this multilevel space with a catwalk over the bar. One area evokes the glamour of 1940s Hollywood, another the sultry ambiance of Morocco. The dinner menu offers grilled meats, while the bar menu includes small plates with global accents and pizzas from a wood-burning oven.
Le Bouchon, 1958 N. Damen, 773.862.6600. French. Dinner Mon.–Sat. Chef/owner Jean-Claude Poilevey, a champion of cuisine Lyonnaise, serves up hearty portions of joie de vivre at this convivial tiny bistro. Diners happily sit elbow to elbow to partake of dishes such as sautéed rabbit or a ragout of duck at reasonable prices.
Le Colonial, 937 N. Rush, 312.255.0088. French Vietnamese. Lunch and dinner daily. The refined and sensual setting is reminiscent of Saigon when Vietnam (then Indochina) was a French colony. The cuisine, including crisp seared whole red snapper with a light spicy and sour sauce, is subtle and artfully presented.
Le Lan, 749 N. Clark, 312.280.9100. Contemporary French/Vietnamese. Dinner Mon.–Sat. The restaurant’s name means “orchid” in Vietnamese and reflects the restaurant’s freshness. The Pan-Asian cuisine of Korean-born chef Bill Kim is inspired not only by his mother’s Asian cooking but by his time spent in the Philadelphia restaurant of Susanna Foo, who has won awards for combining French techniques with the culinary traditions of China.
Les Nomades, 222 E. Ontario, 312.649.9010. Contemporary French. Dinner Tues.–Sat. Quiet elegance is the norm at this sophisticated restaurant located on two floors of a charming two-story vintage townhouse. Floral arrangements and artwork set a refined tone. The cuisine, which brings contemporary innovations to classic French culinary traditions, is paired with an award-winning wine list.
The Lobby, Peninsula Hotel, 108 E. Superior, 5th Fl., 312.573.6760. Contemporary Global. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea daily, brunch Sunday. Live jazz and chamber music daily. The floor-to-ceiling windows of this airy, creamy-colored fifth-floor space offer a spectacular view of Michigan Avenue. A menu favorite is the Kobe beef burger with truffle aioli and sweet potato fries. Daily afternoon tea and especially the Chocolate Bar on Friday and Saturday evenings have faithful followers.
Luxbar, 18 E. Bellevue, 312.642.3400. American. Brunch, dinner daily. This casual chic version of a neighborhood bar was inspired by the sleek modern architecture of the early 1900s that celebrated the simple elegance of natural materials. The kitchen turns out Kobe burgers, filet mignon sliders and other upscale bar food on the extensive menu until the wee hours of the morning.
MarchÉ, 833 W. Randolph, 312.226.8399. French Bistro. Lunch Mon.-Fri. and dinner daily. It looks like the Cat in the Hat had fun creating the whimsical decor in this spot that takes its name from the Market District where it was one of the first restaurants to open its doors. The lively crowd can count on always finding French favorites such as spit roasted chicken, steak frites, braised dishes made with lamb shanks or rabbit and a crème brulée.
Marigold, 4832 N. Broadway, 773.293.4653. Contemporary Indian. Dinner Tues.–Sun. This golden gem offer authentic classic Indian dishes and others prepared with contemporary twists. Many of the eats are meant to be shared and come to the table in a way that emphasizes an evolution of the flavors. The restaurant is based on the principle that food, hospitality and friendship are one and the same.
May Street Market, 1132 W. Grand, 312.421.5547. Contemporary American. Dinner Mon.–Sat. Chef/owner Alex Cheswick created a peaceful setting inspired by the beauty of nature as a backdrop for his creative
cuisine inspired by the seasonal, regional ingredients he finds at the nearby wholesale market and with accents
from his time spent working in Europe.
Mercat a la Planxa, 638 S. Michigan Ave, 312.765.0524. Catalan. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Jose Garces, owner of two acclaimed innovative Spanish restaurants in Philadelphia, brings Catalan tapas to this restaurant in the beautifully restored historic Blackstone Hotel. In a setting inspired by the vibrant nightscape of Barcelona, the open kitchen prepares small plates as well as meats and seafood “a la planxa” (on the grill).
Merlo on Maple, 16 W. Maple, 312.335.8200. Authentic Bolognese. Lunch Mon.–Thu., dinner daily. This romantic spot has rooms located on three floors of a restored townhouse. The owners, who are natives of Bologna, bring an authentic flavor to the menu with dishes such as an artichoke torta, house-made pastas combined with fresh seasonal ingredients and classics that include an osso buco.
M. Henry, 5707 N. Clark, 773.561.1600. Contemporary American. Breakfast and lunch daily. At this bustling storefront, which marries vintage charm and a contemporary vibe, regulars happily wait their turn for brunch. Traditional egg dishes, French toast and hotcakes, soups, salads and sandwiches are updated with healthy, seasonal vegetables and fruits, whole grain breads and global accents. They share the menu with choices for vegetarians.
Mia Francesca, 3311 N. Clark, 773.281.3310. Northern Italian. Lunch Sat.–Sun., dinner daily. No matter that the waits are long and the noise level high, the cuisine draws crowds. Bruschetta, pizzas, pastas, chicken and fish are prepared with a light touch to please contemporary palates.
Minnies, 1969 N. Halsted, 312.943.9900. American. Breakfast Sat.–Sun., lunch, dinner daily, 24-hour takeout window Thurs.–Sat. Bite-sized classic savories and sweets and some more contemporary ones are served in a room with black-and-white décor highlighted by red accents reminiscent of 1930s glamour. The best buy combines three mini burgers, frites and an eight-ounce carafe of wine. Those watching their weight will find Skinny Minnies.
Mirai Sushi, 2020 W. Division, 773.862.8500. Japanese. Dinner Mon.–Sun. A two-story glass façade reveals sushi aficionados seated at the bar, at tables in the sleek dining room and relaxing in the upstairs lounge. Traditional dishes take a backseat to a changing array of inventive specials often paired with ingredients such as cilantro and capers from culinary traditions from other cultures.
mk the Restaurant, 868 N. Franklin, 312.482.9179. Contemporary American. Dinner daily. Erick Simmons, the new chef at this sleek, bi-level restaurant, shares the same philosophy as chef/owner Michael Kornick. He uses classic techniques to prepare elegant dishes using seasonal, regional ingredients and presents them with artistic flair. Dinners conclude with the sensual, yet whimsical, desserts of pastry chef Kate Neumann.
Mon Ami Gabi, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, 773.348.8886. French Bistro. Dinner daily. Francophiles will feel right at home here. The décor captures the authenticity of an elegant turn-of-the-20th-century French bistro; the menu offers quintessential classic fare such as onion soup, steak frites and profiteroles as well as creations by chef Larry Tivo, who prepares skate with caper lemon butter served with crispy garlic chips and a vegetable salad. A rolling cart brings wines tableside