Between my many recent trips, I have made it a point to get out and try the new and recommended restaurants here in Chicago. Here is a list of my favorite new spots:
Located in Bucktown is a wonderful new neighborhood gem, TÁMA, which opened in March 2024. Their goal is to bring “people together with shareable plates in a casual modern bistro with a union of Mediterranean, Asian, and South American traditions.” According to Eater Chicago.com, Chef Avgeria Stapaki “began her career at celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant in Athens.” It is a charming two- level space, with a lovely staf and wonderful food. There is also a small outdoor patio in front. I found the small menu to be reasonably priced. I loved trying the grilled octopus with mashed potatoes, the mussels in a safron broth with grilled sourdough and the best namelaka dessert, which is a chocolate ganache topped with hazelnuts and a raspberry/strawberry sauce. My friend and I shared the starter and dessert and she loved the beef loin skewers with shaved black truffles. I look forward to going back again. 1952 N. Damen Ave.
I highly recommend my latest find, Loba Pastry + Coffee at 3600 N. Lincoln Ave. Opened in May 2023, this is the new location of this Latina owned business. Owner Valeria Velazquez Lindsten had worked at Charlie Trotter’s and Blackbird and was able to raise enough money through crowdfunding to open her dream cafe. The focus is on her excellent pastries, bars, scones, muffins and biscuits. I had a very tasty buckwheat and honey scone and a latte. I enjoyed meeting Valeria in the kitchen and congratulated her on their 2024 James Beard Nomination as a Semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery.
Located in Lincoln Park is a new neighborhood restaurant John’s Food & Wine at 2114 N. Halsted. Located in the old Nookies Too space, it is a seasonal American restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner, except on Tuesday. You order at the bar/counter and then you are served at a table. I popped in for lunch on a Saturday on a chilly February day. I really enjoyed my fried fish sandwich with a celery root slaw. Their dinner menu looks excellent as well. I enjoyed meeting the two owners, Adam McFarland and Tom Rogers who met while working at Gramercy Tavern in New York.
Located in Avondale is Anelya at 3472 N. Elston. Opened by James Beard nominated chefs Johnny Clark and his wife Beverly Kim of Parachute which was located nearby and is currently being remodeled and rebranded. Anelya, named after Johnny’s grandmother, was started as a Ukrainian popup to provide humanitarian support for the region after the recent Russian invasion. It was then opened as a permanent location to preserve the culture of the area and of Johnny’s Ukrainian heritage. The kitchen staff is mostly Ukrainian. It has been featured in a number of publications including Eater Chicago’s “The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, April 2024” and The Infatuation’s “The Hit List: New Chicago Restaurants To Try Right Now.”
It has a contemporary menu in a beatiful setting.There is a small outdoor patio in the back. I suggest trying and sharing a number of dishes so you can taste as many as you can! There is an appetizer cart that will be rolled over to your table features 13 items. I recommend the trout roe tart, the deviled eggs with anchovies, the eggplant rolls and the sunflower seed hummus. The borscht made with smoked pears and duck was excellent as was the Napoleon made with a strawberry cream. Unfortunately the pasta that I wanted to try was sold out. Eastern European wines dominate the wine list along with a few selections from Greece. The Greek rose was very refreshing. I highly recommend the experience.
After reading about its great reviews, I recently went to Boonie’s Filipino Restaurant at 4337 N. Western Ave. which opened in February 2023. In its first year, Chef Joe Fontelera received a 2024 James Beard nomination as a Semifinalist for Best Chef Midwest. They are also listed in the Michelin Guide in the Bib Gourmand category. I went with a local friend who was born in the Philippines. We were both very impressed with the food. He said it brought back great memories of growing up there.
They have a small menu of Filipino specialties. I recommend that you share starters, entrees, sides and desserts in order to taste any many dishes as you can! We enjoyed the Lumpiang Shanghai or crispy fried pork spring rolls with a sweet and sour sauce along with the Adobong Monok or chicken thighs with an adobo glaze. This was followed by a very tasty Adobong Isde or black cod dish with garlic rice. We topped off the meal with a perfect Turon or plantain wrapped as a spring roll, dusted in brown sugar and deep fried. It is BYOB. I really enjoyed the excellent service and the great energy of this small restaurant. Make sure to make a reservation in advance.
Opened by the New York City-based hospitality brand The Group, is La Grande Boucherie Chicago. Their first day was February 17, 2024. I went the next weekend for Sunday brunch after reading about it on Eater Chicago.com. They are also open for lunch and dinner. It is a beautiful Parisian brasserie located at 431 N. Dearborn. I was very impressed with the elegant new facade and the beautiful Belle Époque interior design of this large 10,120 sq. ft. two level space. It reminded me of many of the brasseries that I went to in Paris on my last trip in 2022.
I really enjoyed the staff and the food. The place was packed, and I was impressed with how smoothly everything went for having been opened a week. They have a full menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees plus desserts and pastries I had a perfect Norwegian eggs benedict with smoked salmon along with breakfast potatoes and a side salad. I also loved the Paris Brest for dessert which is a traditional French pastry filled with a hazelnut cream. I look forward to going back for lunch or dinner during the week.
A short distance from the La Grande Boucherie Chicago is the recently opened Gemini Grill which is across the street from Holy Name Cathedral at 748 N. State St. It is a branch of Gemini Lincoln Park where I have been many times.. It is a large attractive space with an outdoor patio and a second floor with more bar and dining room seating. I realy enjoyed the mussels in a rich sauce with toasted bread to dip into it. I highly recommend the exerience as the food and the staff were very good.
Located near Fulton Market in the West Loop is the Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago which opened in 2023. Guinness starting brewing beer in Dublin, Ireland in 1759. They opened their first brewery outside of Ireland in London in 1936. Today they brew in 50 countries around the world. At their attractive Chicago location, they currently brew 17 of their own beers from ales, lagers, beer cocktails and IPAs as well offer five brewed in Dublin, including the famous Guinness Extra Stout which I enjoy tasting again. They have a bakery serving coffee, bread and pastries in the morning, followed by brunch on Saturday and Sunday and lunch and dinner during the week in the Restaurant & Taproom. I had a great cheeseburger for lunch. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They also have a nice outdoor patio during the warmer months. I highly recommend the experience.
I had not had their Stout since I was in Dublin at their Guinness Storehouse several years ago for a tour an tasting. Also make sure to buy their dark chocolate with a tast of Guinness. It is excellent!
Armitage Ale House has been on my list to try since it opened in 2021 in the former Pan Quotidien space at 1000 W. Armitage Ave. It is listed as one of the hardest spots to get a reservation in town. Now that it is open for lunch and weekend brunch from Wednesday through Sunday, I was finally able to book a lunch reservation and enjoyed the experience. I loved the warm, atmosphere of this old-world gastropub with its “rich, eclectic decor, spacious booths, warm lights and hand-carved woodwork.” It has a large menu of British and Indian food. I enjoyed the steamed mussels and fries with an aioli sauce. I highly recommend that you try it. They also have outdoor patio seating during the warmer months.
Nearby in Bucktown is Pompette at 1960 N. Damen. This is a new find that I found through Restaurant Week in January 2024. I went for brunch. I decided not to order the prix fixe menu, but had a very tasty tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich which was perfect on a cold Sunday. It is owned by three locals and has a young vibe with great food and service. The menu consists of daily brunch and dinner long with coffee, wine and cocktails. I recommend that you try it.
West of Pompette in Logan Square, is the new concept, Bar Parisette, opened by Table, Donkey and Stick owner and sommelier Matt Sussman in their former Attagirl space. Opened in June 2924, it is a modern and casual French bistro-style restaurant. It is a great addition to the neighborhood, with a reasonably priced menu, attractive decor, excellent food and attentive staff. They also have happy hour specials. They will soon be doing brunch as well. When I was there, it had several families dining with their children. I enjoyed an excellent veggie burger with fries and my niece loved the traditional moules frites, mussels and fries. 2829 W. Armitage Ave.
I recently went for the first time to Alpana at 831 N. State. It is the newest restaurant owned by restaurateur and sommelier Alpana Singh. I have been to two others in the past which have now closed. I was happy to meet her while there as I used to see her on the local PBS station’s Check Please show which reviewed local restaurants.
It has a menu of Wine Inspired Cuisine. It is open for dinner as well on for brunch on the weekends. I went for Sunday brunch and was very impressed with the menu choices. I loved the smoked salmon eggs benedict with breakfast potatoes. Our server was excellent.
Make sure to try the Willow Room, at 1800 N. Halsted, in the space formerly occupied by Black Duck Tavern & Grill. I went the first week it opened and enjoyed the food and atmosphere. I was just back before a Steppenwolf Theater play and thought the food was again excellent. They reopened in July 2023 after being forced to close for over six months due to damage caused by a water leak. I loved the beet salad, Key Lime Pie and the sea scallops. It was one of the best dishes I have had this year. The restaurant also has outdoor seating during the warmer months.
In August 2023 Ballyhoo Hospitality, who owns Gemini and several others in Chicago, opened DeNucci’s, at 503 W. Dickens, in the former Four Farthings Tavern & Grill space. DeNucci’s is an Italian restaurant and pizzeria with a large menu of starters, pastas, salads, pizzas and entrees. I recently went for the first time and really enjoyed the experience. The tomato & buffala mozzarella salad was excellent along with the Maine lobster ravioli and a perfect tiramisu for dessert. They have a lovely outdoor patio during the warmer months.
Also recently opened by Ballyhoo Hospitality Gemini Grill which is across the street from Holy Name Cathedral at 748 N. State St. It is a branch of Gemini Lincoln Park where I have been many times.. It is a large attractive space with an outdoor patio and a second floor with more bar and dining room seating. I realy enjoyed the mussels in a rich sauce with toasted bread to dip into it. I highly recommend the exerience as the food and the staff were very good.
At the north end of the Southport Corridor is Port & Park Bistro & Bar at 4000 N. Southport. This is a casual bar and restaurant in a vintage tavern setting with a lounge and patio. I was pleased to have found it and went for brunch with a friend who was visiting from Michigan. I loved being on the outside patio on a beautiful fall day. They have a large brunch, lunch and dinner menu along with cocktails. I recommend the California frittata with cheese, tomatoes, spinach and avocado plus breakfast potatoes.
Located at 1856 W. North Ave. is Firewood BBQ. Opened in early 2023, this is a casual, neighborhood sport that has a menu of salads, appetizers, sandwiches, platters and entrees. I went for their weekend brunch on a Saturday and was very pleased that I chose the smoked brisket benedict served on sourdough bread with greens, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce along with roasted potatoes. They also have food and cocktail specials throughout the week. It has a great atmosphere and service. They have three other restaurants, including Ella’s BBQ in Lincoln Park that I have enjoyed in the past.
Further north at 2748 N. Lincoln Ave. is Batter & Berries. This is a Black-owned restaurant that was established in 2012 by Dr. Tanya & Craig Richardson with a goal of supporting the community and local businesses. They have a focus on breakfast, lunch and brunch. I have been wanting to go for a while, but the lines have been very long. I chose to go on a Wednesday for lunch to make sure that I got a table. This is a casual spot with a very friendly staff. I really enjoyed the spinach omelete made with spinach, mushrooms, a sundried tomato and spinach puree and Asiago cheese along with cheese crusted hash brown potatoes. The smoked salmon eggs benedict and the shrimp fritta specials also looked great.
Opened in 2007 is Wilde Bar & Restaurant at 3130 N. Broadway. I had not heard or read about it until a local friend suggested we go for lunch. This is a literary-themed upscale Irish pub in a warm, comfortable setting. They have a large menu of American and Irish dishes including soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and entrees including fish & chips and shepherds’s pie. They also have weekend brunch menu and a gluten free menu. I had a great reuben sandwich and really enjoyed the experience.
Nearby at 3107 N. Broadway is The Bagel Restaurant and Deli. This is a classic Jewish deli/diner, started over 70 years ago, with an extensive menu of traditional favorites from salads, sandwiches, blintzes, soups, burgers, fish dishes, omelettes, breakfast dishes, fountain treats and desserts. Their Old Orchard location recently closed. According to owner Danny Wolf, “at our Chicago location we will continue our tradition of home-style cooking and hospitality established by my parents and grandparents when they brought their recipes and kitchen skills from Europe.”
I was very pleased to have found it and really enjoyed the diner atmosphere and the avocado toast with lox. It was a perfect choice before a performance at the Timeline Theatre nearby.
I recently found Drew’s on Halsted, which was recommended by local friends. This a casual restaurant serving lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends. I went for brunch on a Saturday with other friends and really enjoyed it. The staff was excellent and the menu had many great choices. I was pleased to have ordered the crab cake eggs benedict and a latte. They have a full bar menu as well as an outdoor patio in the summer months. I will definitely go back. 3201 N. Halsted at Belmont.
Also in Lakeview is DMK Burger Bar. This is a casual, popular spot that has a large menu of grass-fed burgers, shakes and fries along with beer and cocktails. I was not aware of it until I watched a segment from 2011 on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-ins and Dives hosted by Guy Fieri. I then met friends there for lunch and tried his recommended bison burger with a blueberry barbecue sauce, goat cheese and marinated onions. It was great as were the sweet potato fries. He also loved the salmon burger with Thai curry mayonnaise and Asian coleslaw. I will try it on my next visit.
Another spot that caught my eye was the Frida Room, a breakfast and brunch restaurant at 1454 W 18th St. in Pilsen. On my most recent trip, I made a point to go for brunch after an event at the National Museum of Mexican Art nearby. I really enjoyed my omelette and latte. It has a fun vibe and nice service. They opened a second location in Lincoln Park at 2423 N. Clark. I had friends who went and enjoyed it also.
Across the street from Pequod’s Pizza is CornerStone Café at 2200 N. Clybourn Ave. opened for over seven years, I recently went for the first time even though I live a few blocks away. It is a casual cafe/diner offering breakfast and lunch dishes. The menu is quite extensive including omelettes, eggs benedict. pancakes, Belgian waffles, crepes, sandwiches, wraps, salads and burgers. I really enjoyed the smoked salmon and avocado eggs benedict for brunch. I also enjoyed meeting the owner. They now only have this location, having closed the cafe in Logan Square. I am looking forward to going back and trying their reuben sandwich.
Across the street from the Museum of Contemporary Art is Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe with two city locations and two suburban locations. This is a budget-friendly restaurant with a large menu of pancakes, breakfast dishes, omelettes, specialty benedicts, skillets, waffles, French toasts, crepes, sandwiches, salads and panini/wraps. I had been wanting to go for a while, so I made a point to go for brunch before a performance of Broadway in Chicago at the Broadway Playhouse around the corner. I had a great Fresca omelette with sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil and avocado along with fruit and toast. The server was so friendly and helpful. It is outside in Water Tower Place at 196 E. Pearson.
A short distance from the Alliance Française de Chicago on Dearborn is the recently opened Gemini Grill which is across the street from Holy Name Cathedral at 748 N. State St. It is a branch of Gemini Lincoln Park where I have been many times.. It is a large attractive space with an outdoor patio and a second floor with more bar and dining room seating. I realy enjoyed the mussels in a rich sauce with toasted bread to dip into it. I highly recommend the exerience as the food and the staff were very good.
I recently went to Cafe Michelle along DuSable Harbor at 200 N. Lakefront Trail. Owned by the same group as Whispers Oak Street Beach, this is a lovely cafe and bar along the water. They have a dine-in menu where you can sit on the patio and enjoy beautiful views of the boat docks. Here you can hve starter, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and tacos. I enjoyed trying the tasty lamb burger topped with caramelized red onions, fresh spinach, feta cheese and topped with tzatziki sauce along with some fries. They also have a full bar menu.
There is also a cafe where you can buy coffee drinks, gelato and other take-out menu items.
I have lists of new places to try. I will keep you updated as I go and explore.