Tango Sur
(3763 N. Southport, 773.477.5466. Argentinean. Dinner daily, lunch Sun.) This offbeat gem dishes up authentic Argentinean flavors. Something of a city secret, those in the know agree its homestyle cuisine is not to be missed. Carnivores will delight in the mostly meat menu, which serves prime cuts of beef, veal, chicken and fish prepared and seasoned with Argentinean flair; don’t miss the Argentine filet filled with chimichurri (a traditional condiment made with herbs, garlic and vinegar) and topped with a ham-based sauce. Traditional appetizers such as empanadas and matambre (veal rolled with vegetables, served cold) prove equally tempting, as do the parrallidas, mixed-meat entrees served family style on a tabletop grill—perfect for parties and other social gatherings. And of course, don’t forget the drinks: This BYOB joint encourages its patrons to pop open a favorite bottle of wine or beer.

Yoshi’s Café
(3257 N. Halsted, 773.248.6160,
yoshiscafe.com. French/Asian. Dinner Tues.–Sun., brunch Sun.) For more than 26 years, chef/owner Yoshi Katsumura and wife Nobuko have been serving up an eclectic menu that skillfully blends East and West, turning out dishes that showcase diverse influences ranging from Japanese and Italian to French and American. Dining here is familial and homey, thanks to both the cozy décor and the warmly inviting wait staff. For an appetizer, try the house special duck liver mousse paté with cornichon, mustard and petite salad. For the main course, taste the restaurant’s many cultural influences with the Australian rack of lamb, flavored with mustard, herbs and Japanese panko with lamb au jus and mint mustard oil, all served with eggplant, garlic and goat cheese flan. Yoshi’s is also well-known for its particularly tasty vegetarian menu items, which please veggies and meat lovers alike.

NORTH SIDE

Bistro Campagne
(4518 N. Lincoln, 773.271.6100, bistrocampagne.com. French. Dinner daily, brunch Sun.) An authentic French bistro in the middle of Lincoln Square, Bistro Campagne serves up traditional bistro fare in a quaint, neighborhood environment. Chef/owner Michael Altenberg (also of Crust) cooks with primarily organic and seasonal ingredients, and the dishes absolutely sing with flavor. French onion soup is rich and creamy without being overpowering, patés are creamy and flavorful, pork shoulder (braised in apple cider) melts in the mouth and the cassoulet (filled with lamb, pork sausage, duck confit and pork belly) is decidedly hearty. The wine offerings are almost entirely French, while the beer list focuses mainly on neighboring countries Belgium and Germany. Décor is simple, rustic and unpretentious, with white tablecloths, plenty of wood trim and the occasional image of France on the walls, and the staff seems genuinely happy to work there. Be sure to put Bistro Campagne on your list in the warm-weather months. Their intimate patio, surrounded by greenery, is one of the best in the city.

Hopleaf
(5148 N. Clark, 773.334.9851, hopleaf.com. Belgian. Dinner daily) Beer lovers come from far and wide to experience the joy of Hopleaf, a Belgian brauhaus that offers around 200 different beers. While the majority of the list features Belgian or Belgian-style brews (Leffe Blonde, Tripel Karmeleit and Atomium Grand Cru are on draft; Duvel, Reinaert Flemish Ale and Petrus Aged Pale Ale are in a bottle), the menu also features an eclectic array of beers from around the world including Italy’s Super Baladin, England’s Samuel Smith and Chicago’s own Goose Island. Typical Belgian food complements the beer list expertly including dishes such as bacon-wrapped rabbit leg, steak frites, pork stew and the popular steamed mussels served with frites and a delicious aioli. The simple wood room is decorated with Belgian beer posters, and guests can choose between the cozy bar area and the more spacious, high-ceilinged restaurant. But take note: Because Hopleaf is technically a tavern, kids—even infants—aren’t allowed.

Jin Ju
(5203 N. Clark, 773.334.6377, jinjuchicago.com. Contemporary Korean. Dinner Tues.–Sun.) Traditional Korean cuisine is eminently approachable at Jin Ju, an Andersonville gem that serves up classic Korean flavors with modern presentations and a contemporary atmosphere. Minimal décor, glowing candlelight and soft, ambient electronic beats create a lounge-like vibe that’s enhanced by its extensive cocktail list. The main attraction is the sojutini, a unique drink made from soju, a Korean grain liquor distilled from sweet potatoes. The restaurant offers a dozen varieties, including the Jinjer (featuring ginger liquer), the Mellow Yellow (made with lemon-lime soda) and the O.E. (where cucumber is the star). The food menu comprises authentic Korean favorites; a popular pick is an appetizer called Kim Bap Te Gim, a traditional seaweed roll filled with rice, bulgogi (beef), spinach, carrots, yellow pickled radish, fish cake and eggs that gets a contemporary twist when it’s dipped in tempura batter and lightly fried.

Sola
(3868 N. Lincoln, 773.327.3868, sola-restaurant.com. Contemporary American. Lunch Thurs.–Fri., dinner daily, brunch Sat.–Sun.) California girl Carol Wallack is the brains (and the executive chef/owner) behind this soothing oasis of contemporary American cuisine. Hawaiian influences factor strongly into its menu, which favors inventive seafood dishes; living part time in Maui, Wallack brings back to the Windy City an inspired selection of island flavors. Her style is clearly evinced in the restaurant’s most popular entrée: salmon brushed with a ginger glaze and accompanied by edamame puree, truffle-teriyaki sauce and green-bean tempura. Everything is made in-house, from the bacon to the ice cream, and she sources the majority of her ingredients locally. The lone exception is the seafood, brought in from Hawaii, courtesy of Wallack’s close relationships with its best fishermen. According to Wallack, her mission is to “highlight the bounty of the season here in the Midwest.” And even as winter lingers on, enjoy the flavors of warmer seasons with spectacular preserves made from the summer’s best strawberries, rhubarb, peaches and plums.

Wicker Park/ Bucktown

Crust
(2056 W. Division, 773.235.5511, crustchicago.com. American. Lunch and dinner daily) Many restaurants claim to be “organic,” but chef/owner Michael Altenberg (also of Bistro Campagne) has taken the word to the next level by opening Crust, the first certified organic restaurant in the Midwest. Altenberg and his crew create wood-fired flatbread pizzas that burst with the flavor of the organic ingredients (seriously, you really can tell). Popular pizzas include the flammkuchen (bacon, caramelized onions, béchamel and Parmesan) and the pepperonata (pepperoni, peppers, mozzarella and provolone), and there are mouth-watering salads and sandwiches on tap as well. But it’s not just the food that’s organic. The drink list features locally made, organic and sustainable wines and beers, and the organic house-made vodka infusions (think grapefruit and bergamot; lemon and lemongrass) are used to craft drinks such as the pomegranate lemon drop and the strawberry fields. While the décor is colorful, and the atmosphere is lively, it’s a little-known fact that nearly everything in the restaurant—from the tables and chairs to the silverware to the paint on the walls—qualifies as organic.

Hot Chocolate
(1747 N. Damen, 773.489.1747, hotchocolatechicago.com. American bistro. Lunch Tues.–Fri, dinner Tues.–Sun., brunch Sat.–Sun.) A sleek, modern interior and a color palette drenched in chocolate sets the tone for this unique dining destination. Unlike many chefs, who shy away from dessert, Hot Chocolate owner/founder Mindy Segal (former pastry chef at both MK and Charlie Trotter’s) dove right in. Her seasonal menu features a range of mouth-watering sweets including warm Colombian chocolate ganache with ice cream and housemade pretzels, perfectly balancing salty and sweet. What’s more, executive chef Mark Steuer’s simple yet sophisticated menu showcases entrées such as a brined Berkshire pork loin with housemade sauerkraut and sweet Honey Crisp apples. This creative blend of contemporary entrées and top-notch desserts suits all occasions, from a casual lunch to a foodie-approved dinner to a heavenly dessert indulgence. To finish, an extensive list of wines, ales, lagers and specialty cocktails will satisfy even the most refined palate.

Le Bouchon
(1958 N. Damen, 773.862.6600,
lebouchonofchicago.com. French. Dinner Mon.–Sat.) Easily one of the coziest restaurants in Chicago, Le Bouchon is a small, warm, informal, authentic French bistro in the middle of the bustling Bucktown neighborhood. Owned by native Frenchman Jean Claude Poilevey, the restaurant serves up delicious, typical bistro fare at an extremely reasonable price point. Expect to find staples such as a Lyonnaise salad, escargots, steamed mussels in a white- wine sauce, steak served with pommes frites, chicken with potatoes and roasted duck with an orange reduction. The wine list has plenty of French offerings to complement the food. Don’t leave without sampling one of the traditional desserts, such as a chocolate marquise. The ambience of the small room blends romantic with rustic, with intimate tables, candles and images of France spread across the walls (instantly inspiring a vacation). On a budget? Check out a few of the staple specials, such as a $25 prix-fixe menu or 1/2- priced bottles of wine.

Spring
(2039 W. North, 773.395.7100, springrestaurant.net. Contemporary American. Dinner Tues.–Sun.) Fresh presentations combine with clean lines and modern architecture at this soothing spot, a former bathhouse where Zen simplicity now rules. Natural colors and organic elements provide the backdrop to chef Shawn McClain’s elegant entrées, plated perfectly on simple white dishes. His New American menu, which focuses heavily on seafood and displays touches of Asian inspiration, reflects the harvest of the current season. Kushi oysters are served in a cucumber mignonette with grated fresh wasabi root, while grilled Hawaiian prawns are served alongside pork belly dumplings, kimchi and a Thai-spiced shellfish broth. At every turn, the restaurant holds fast to one philosophy: to look beyond society’s current obsession with quickness and convenience and restore fine dining as a truly sensuous experience that provides a respite from the pressures of daily life.

Takashi
(1952 N. Damen, 773.772.6170, takashichicago.com. Japanese. Dinner Tues.–Sun.) Although Takashi opened in early 2008, chef Takashi Yagihashi is definitely not new to the culinary scene. Named Best New Chef by Food & Wine magazine in 2000, he also won the James Beard Award for Best Chef in 2003. At Takashi, the Japanese-born chef has blended his heritage with 20 years of culinary experience across the country and in Chicago at Ambria and Yoshi’s Café. He chose his latest endeavor’s Bucktown location for its balance of city life and laid-back cool, which carries through into the restaurant’s soothing, Zen-like décor. Located in a quaint A-frame house, Takashi’s atmosphere offers a distinct sense of attending a dinner party in Yagihashi’s own home. His contemporary menu is divided into small warm, small cold and large plates, with specials changing weekly. Featuring unexpected combinations of ingredients—think sushi rolls with prosciutto and shrimp with hot-and-sour sauce—the food is always approachable.

The Violet Hour
(1520 N. Damen, 773-252-1500,
theviolethour.com. Lounge/Bar. Dinner daily) Order up a simple vodka and soda at The Violet Hour and you’re doing yourself a disservice in this haven of cocktails. The drink menu at this Prohibition-era– style bar (mixed by bartenders in old-fashioned saloon-style garb) primarily features expertly crafted traditional drinks, such as a Sidecar, a Tom Collins or a Manhattan, but also offers unique creations such as a Moscow Mule (vodka, ginger syrup, soda), the Eyes Wide (whiskey, grapefruit, raspberry syrup, hibiscus syrup) or The Libertine (sparkling wine, lemon, absinthe, sloe gin). Attention to detail is key at The Violet Hour, as liquor is measured precisely and served in specific glasses with particular ice cubes and mixed with house-made syrups. While food takes a backseat to drinks, there’s a delicious menu of appetizer-esque food such as small sandwiches, coconut-fried shrimp and lamb rillettes with a rosemary apple sauce. The atmosphere— complete with dim lighting, intimately close seating and a fireplace—is a perfect place to imbibe, and because the bouncers don’t let in extra customers once the seats are filled, there’s no crowd to battle. On the other hand, a wait to get in is often to be expected.

Expert Approved
Foodie and contributing writer Nancy Maes shares her favorite food finds.

Café des Architectes
(20 E. Chestnut, 312.324.4000, cafedesarchitectes.com. Contemporary French. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily) Paris native Martial Noguier has found a perfect place
to call home. Acclaimed for his creations at one sixtyblue, the chef has put down new roots—and his culinary creativity continues to flourish. He deserves bravos for subtle, seasonal dishes that are a clever reflection of the chic, stylish French Hotel Sofitel that houses this inviting eatery. His Gallic sense of hospitality makes the restaurant a friendly neighborhood gathering place.

Sunda
(110 W. Illinois, 312.644.0500, sundachicago.com. New Asian. Dinner daily)
So often when trend seekers flock to a hot new spot, the glitz and glamour simply don’t deliver. But world-renowned chef Rodelio Aglibot brings an enlightened karma to his contemporary interpretation of Asian culinary traditions. Inspired by his extensive travels and his Filipino and Hawaiian backgrounds, his creations are a sheer joy to behold (and taste). We wish long life to Aglibot, who deserves his nickname: the Food Buddha.

David Burke’s Primehouse
(616 N. Rush, 312.660.6000, davidburke.com. Contemporary steakhouse. Breakfast and dinner daily, lunch Mon.–Sat., brunch Sun.)
For those who think steak-and-potato spots are so yesterday, check out this modern take on tradition, where David Burke has his finger on the pulse of the New Millennium. Yes, there are tender cuts of dry-aged meat, but the restaurant also offers comforting house-made soup served from a can and paired with a grilled cheese, an East-meets-West dim sum brunch and even a Sunday family supper.

Angelina Ristorante
(3561 N. Broadway, 773.935.5933, angelinaristorante.com. Italian. Dinner daily, brunch Sun.) It’s always worth tracking down chef Fred Ramos, no matter where it is he’s creating tempting dishes with authentic Mediterranean ingredients (former homes include Gioco and Pili Pili). Now he’s found his niche at this cozy, Italian neighborhood spot. Here, he seems to channel the recipes of a co-owner’s Tuscan grandmother, updating the homestyle dishes with a light, contemporary accent.

Eve
(840 N. Wabash, 312.266.3383, evechicago.com. Contemporary American. Dinner daily, lunch Mon.–Sat.) In the Garden of Eden, Eve offered an apple, but here, chef Troy Graves tempts guests with the refined simplicity of his seasonal dishes. Embellished with global flavors, his cuisine is served in a seductive cloud-white setting illuminated by subtle shimmering touches. The Maine lobster bisque—flecked with tropical green papaya and pineapple and accented with an ethereal vanilla emulsion—is the perfect lunchtime antidote to
shopper’s fatigue.

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