When we moved to Chicago three years ago, I decided not to post about every wonderful (or not wonderful) discovery here because 1) I was writing a book and had little time for any other writing and 2) I didn’t want to write as a visitor to Chicago. I wanted to be a Chicagoan.
Lula Cafe – It has a hippie-hipster Logan Square vibe with an eclectic new American farm-to-table, fresh vegetable-forward, fare influenced by far-flung spots. We go most often for special dinner occasions (birthdays, out-of-town visitors) but lunch/brunch is good too. Highlights: Baked Feta, Pasta Yia Yia, Caesar Salad, Carrot Cake.
But now that I have more time – and I’m a sort-of Chicagoan – I hope to write more about the city, so readers can benefit from my discoveries and so I can remember my discoveries. With so many dining options in Chicago, it’s hard to keep visiting the same one. There’s always another beckoning. But here are 10 restaurants that we have returned to one or more times – so they qualify as favorites:
Riccardo Trattoria – This is our favorite local traditional Italian restaurant, near us in Lincoln Park. (There’s another one in Fulton market). It’s a small, warm, and cozy space with solid not too basic or complicated Italian classics like Fettucine Bolognese and feels like a real neighborhood spot.
Le Bouchon – Another warm and cozy spot, this time in Bucktown, serving French bistro classics: steak frites, mussels w/frites, French onion soup; Caesar Salad, delicious baguettes.
Small Cheval – This is a favorite fast-foody casual burger place, a spin-off of Au Cheval on Randolph. We used to go to the one on Wells in Old Town but now there’s one even closer, on Halstead in Lincoln Park.
Cumin – Our go-to for take-out Indian food, located in Wicker Park. We’re also fans of Kama, nearby in Wicker Park, but even better in the southwest burb of La Grange, which offers superb tandoori chicken cooked in an oven that apparently doesn’t meet Chicago health code so isn’t available at the city location…or wasn’t when we last visited.)
Kala – Our favorite fast-foody casual Modern Greek spot in Lincoln Park/lakeview, with souvlaki bowls – grilled and charred meat or vegetables from skewers served as a sandwich or atop salad or rice.
Smoque BBQ – Excellent smoked ribs, brisket, pulled pork, conveniently located in Old Irving Park near our kids’ place i so we can order when visiting and/or babysitting.
Aba – Buzzing Fulton Market California-influenced Mediterranean restaurant with shared plates – including whipped feta and charred eggplant spreads, kebabs, shawarma-spiced skirt steak.
The Gage – Favorite spot pre-or-post theater or museum on Michigan Avenue at Millennium Park, serving European-influenced American fare (or some such)…i.e. wide variety of food for light or heavier dining.
Hopleaf – A Belgium gastro pub in Andersonville with excellent mussels w/frites, beer, crispy pork belly, and quiet shady back outdoor patio.
TakeBetsywithyou 