Chicago - A - BlackBook Guides

151 W. Erie, Chicago 60654
312-274-1111

Tavernita

The Sandoval brothers--Alfredo, Felipe and Patricio--of Mercadito renown have opened Tavernita, which falls somewhere between a Med-Latin restaurant and a sexy, elegant lounge. Tavernita is in the ... read more

116 W. Hubbard St., Chicago 60654
312-464-0466

Slurping Turtle

A gallery of “slurp shots” (pictures of diners slurping their noodle soups) on the website for James Beard award-winning Chef Takashi Yagihashi’s newest endeavor—the Slurpin... read more

110 E Pearson St, Chicago 60611
312-266-3110

Bar Toma

Tony Mantuano made a name for himself with the high-end, highly acclaimed Spiaggia–not to mention his appearance on Top Chef Masters–but this late-night Italian pizza place is not secon... read more

33 E. Oak St., Chicago 60611
312-361-8573

Moncler

Moncler's Gold Coast outpost brings a touch of Haute-Savoie chic to the WIndy City. The Gilles & Boissier-designed space embraces alpine charm with carved wood paneling and floral motifs, the p... read more

1725 W. Division St., Chicago 60622
773-697-4804

The Anthem

We know…it’s just what Division Street needs. Another sports bar. At least this one puts a different spin on the standard LCD screen congested burgers and boys' hangout. Brought to Wic... read more

3057 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago 60647
773-292 6011

Jam Restaurant

What was Ukie Village’s loss is now Logan Square’s gain. The BYO, cash-only café still serves breakfast and lunch (the same eggs benedict with pork belly and winter squash hollan... read more

2624 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago 60614
773-857-0421

Barrelhouse Flat

Don’t put this bar in a box based on its Lincoln Park location. With Violet Hour vet Stephen Cole and Greg Butera of Aviary at the helm, the bar is set high in regards to the cocktail selecti... read more

221 N. Columbus Dr., Chicago
312-477-0234

Filini

The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel’s restaurant is all about Italian classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Start with complimentary olives and cheese, then order your choice of fresh bread and o... read more

1840 N. Damen Ave., Chicago 60647
773-292-6358

Melt Sandwich Shoppe

Grant Achatz’s childhood-inspired menu at Next isn’t the only option on the dining scene riffing on your favorite schoolhouse-days meals. Select from nearly two dozen gourmet grilled ch... read more

1619 N. Damen Ave., Chicago 60647
773-342-8799

Ripasso

The simple truth is that there are few meals more satisfying than a warm plate of perfectly made hand-cut pasta, especially in a city where winter lasts for a solid seven months. That’s just ... read more

1265 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago 60622
773-252-2020

Tozi

Thanks to Tozi for mixing up the Asian cuisine scene in Wicker Park. The main attraction at this Korean barbecue joint are the booths with table-top grills for cooking your own meat (pork belly inc... read more

738 N. Clark St., 2nd floor, Chicago
312-397-1961

Highball Lounge

The Tasting Room’s master sommelier Perry Fotopoulos is behind this '50s-inspired River North lounge above Orange. Sidle up to a low-slung slick leather booth and order a punch bowl for the g... read more

553 W. Diversey Pkwy., Chicago 60614
773-234-2320

2 Sparrows

In an ideal world, we’d get a new outstanding brunch spot every few months. In reality, they’re few and far between, making places like Lakeview’s 2 Sparrows a particularly notabl... read more

1023 W. Lake St., Chicago
312-243-9770

Vera Chicago

Spain is the name of the game at this West Loop wine bar, owned by husband and wife duo Mark and Elizabeth Mendez (the former was previously chef at Carnivale). Named after Mark’s grandmother... read more

1846 N. Damen Ave., Chicago 60647
773-645-9664

Miko's Flipside Cafe

Among the many reasons we dread winter in Chicago, one of them is the closing of Miko’s Italian Ice. Fortunately this year, the basement-level walk-up isn’t going into hibernation for t... read more

1301 North State Parkway, Chicago 60610
312-787-3700

Public Chicago

Ian Schrager's PUBLIC brand actually seems to take a cue from the Ace, with an atmosphere that encourages hanging about more than posing. Flash nightlife is eschewed in favor of spaces with cosseti... read more

108 N. State St., Chicago 60602
312-346-7777

Magnolia Bakery

There was one bakery that had the power to save cupcakes from becoming completely passé in 2011, and it arrived just in time at Block 37. Expect lines out the door like any cupcake shop wort... read more

60 E. Lake St., Chicago 60601
312-262-7622

The Southern Mac and Cheese Store

No need to chase down Cary Taylor’s food truck on your lunchbreak. Instead, the Southern’s chef is making it easy on Loop lunchers with this casual brick and mortar. Choose from a half-... read more

1301 N. State Pkwy, Chicago
312-787-3700

Pump Room

It was a smart move on the part of famed hotelier Ian Schrager to retain the historic name Pump Room for the revamped restaurant in Public hotel (formerly known as the Ambassador East). ... read more

3341 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago 60657
773-871-3474

New England Seafood Company

We can't claim an abundance of fresh locally sourced seafood in Chicago–though rumor has it that carp is the next big thing–so the sound of a restaurant serving New England's finest flo... read more