-
Gage
This elegant Loop newcomer approaches its Irish-bent bar grub with whimsical execution. Standards like the around US$14 (but worth it) 'Gage burger' and delightful fish and chips plate are perfect washed down with one of the wide selection of pints. Upscale choices like the duck confit in huckleberry reduction or saddle of elk with junipers, reward the more discriminating palate.
-
Gene & Georgetti
For once, a place touting itself as one of Frank Sinatra's favorite restaurants can back it up - a fact evidenced in the framed pic of Ol' Blue Eyes by the door. Old-timers, politicos and crusty regulars are seated downstairs. New-timers, conventioneers and tourists are seated upstairs. The steaks are the same on both levels: thick, well aged and well-priced.
-
Gibson's
There is a scene nightly at this local original. Politicians, movers, shakers and the shaken-down compete for prime table space in the buzzing dining area. The bar is a prime stalking place for available millionaires. As for the meat on the plates, the steaks are as good as they come, and the seafood is fresh and expensive.
-
Gino's East
In the great deep-dish pizza wars going on in Chicago, Gino's is easily one of the top three heavies. And it encourages its customers to do something neither Pizzeria Uno nor Giordano's would allow: cover every available surface (except for the actual food) with graffiti. The pizza is something you'll write home about: the classic stuffed cheese-and-sausage pie oozes countless pounds of cheese over its crispy cornmeal crust.
-
Gioco
Restaurateurs Jerry Kleiner and Howard Davis made Randolph St on the West Side one of Chicago's hottest dining areas in the 1990s. Their whimsical Italian restaurant opened a few years ago in a desolate stretch of the Near South featuring a menu laden with classic Chicago- Italian dishes including delicate pizzas from a wood-burning oven. Surprises abound, such as the tasty lobster gnocchi.
-
Giordano's
The founders of Giordano's, Efren and Joseph Boglio, claim that they got their winning recipe for stuffed pizza from - aww - their mother back in Italy. If you want a slice of heaven, order the 'special,' a stuffed pizza containing sausage, mushroom, green pepper and onions. We think it's the best deep-dish pizza in Chicago.
-
Gold Coast Dogs
A good place in the Loop to sample the classic 'Chicago dog,' this humble café serves the handheld tubed pork with the city's elaborate dressing: onions, relish, mustard, hot peppers, celery salt and a pickle spear. The atmosphere is unsightly - it shares a space with a fast-food chain - but when the weather permits, better environs are a short walk away at Millennium Park.
-
Green Door Tavern
The 1872 building housing this veteran bar and grill is one of the oldest structures north of the river and the Green Door Tavern has long served great burgers, sandwiches, salads and a few pasta dishes. The walls here are completely covered with ancient photos, signs and memorabilia. For simple but well-cooked food in a lively old-Chicago setting, this is the place.
-
Green Zebra
Chicken breast might be a rarity on the menu of typical vegetarian restaurants, but Chef Shawn McClain's veggie haven is anything but conventional. With a few nods to the meatily inclined, most of the menu is focused on amazing odes to meatless meals. The seasonal menu at Green Zebra is heavy on arty infusions (black-truffle essence, anyone?) and rich broths.
-
Hai Yen
Many of the dishes at this warm Argyle St eatery require some assembly, pairing shrimp, beef or squid with rice crepes, mint, Thai basil and lettuce. For an appetizer, try the goi cuon , fresh rolls of vermicelli rice noodles along with shrimp, pork and carrots. The bo bay mon consists of seven (yes, seven) different kinds of beef. Order sparingly, or ask for some help from your server - like the bo bay mon , many of the dishes are large enough to feed an army.
-
Advertisement
-
Handlebar
The cult of the bike messenger runs strong in Chicago, and this bicycle-themed restaurant and bar is a way station for the tattooed couriers and locals who come for the interesting beer list, vegetarian-friendly menu, and back beer garden. Bike messengers with ID get special deals on some nights.
-
HB
The owners of this friendly café-turned-restaurant won The Next Food Network Star reality TV show in 2005, but the real star is the food. Come by on weekends for the justly famous brunch, or drop in at night for an array of comfort foods - from pork chops to pan-fried crabs. HB is BYOB.
-
Hot Chocolate
'Come for dessert, stay for dinner' might be the motto at this buzz-heavy Bucktown upstart. Run by renowned pastry Chef Mindy Segal, the cute place feels exactly like the irresistible, upscale chocolate desserts it peddles. With five different kinds of hot chocolate available, along with mini brioche doughnuts, you may forget to order any of the other food on offer, such as Kobe beef skirt steak and mussels.
-
Hot Doug's
The gourmet sausages served here by the owner, Doug, may be at the forefront of a Chicago hot-dog revolution. With specialties ranging from blueberry-merlot-venison to sesame-ginger-duck, the food at this friendly place has reviewers dragging out their superlatives. On Friday and Saturday, Doug offers fries cooked in thick duck fat (you have to ask for them).
-
Huey's Hotdogs
Those who know hot dogs come to Huey's. Regularly ranked among Chicago's top greasy spoons, this gregarious hole-in-the-wall makes a perfect pit stop if you're still peckish after a dainty meal at one of Andersonville's upscale eateries. The shakes here are also legendary.
-
Irazu
This unbelievably cheap hole-in-the-wall would be one of Chicago's best value places at three times the price. The Costa Rican burritos are plump with chicken, black beans and fresh avocado, and the sandwiches contain a Costa Rican 'mystery sauce' that should be patented. Try the oatmeal shake; it's like drinking a cold, delicious oatmeal cookie. Cash only.
-
Italian Village
Of the three restaurants under the one roof, two are worth your while: the namesake Village, and Vivere. The former is decorated with the facades and twinkling lights of an Italian hill town - campy but cute - and has a menu of time-honored pasta and meat dishes that come soaked in traditional sauces. Vivere is the more creative cousin downstairs, offering a wine list some 1500 bottles strong, with bold flavors and bigger price tags.
-
Jack's On Halsted
The menu hops around the world, juxtaposing American steak and Cajun fare with capable Italian, French and Asian dishes. You can wash down every course with the many fine American wines. Be sure to save room for dessert. Sunday brunch is worthy of special occasions.
-
Jin Ju
One of only a handful of 'nouveau Korean' restaurants in town, Jin Ju throws a culinary curveball by tempering Korean food to Western tastes. The minimalist, candlelit interior echoes softly with downbeat techno, and the stylish 30-somethings who come here enjoy entrees like haemul pajon (a fried pancake stuffed with seafood) and kalbi (beef short ribs). The 'sojutini' cocktail made with soju (distilled from sweet potatoes) is a must.
-
Joy Yee's Noodle Shop
Folks line up for bubble teas packed with fresh fruit at this brightly colored, hip café. Do yourself a favor though and save one of the deliciously sweet drinks for dessert after a bowl of udon (a thick, wheat-based noodle), chow fun (rice noodles) or chow mein.
-
Advertisement
-
Kaze Sushi
The most refined option on the Roscoe St strip, Kaze's Tuesday night tasting menu features their signature specialties: inventive sushi and Japanese dishes with a French inflection. The seasonal menu has great large plates, though sushi aficionados will delight in the creative rolls - like the Blue Fin tuna dressed with pickled onions, burdock root, chives and truffle oil - and simple nigiri cuts, ideal to accent with the house-made soy sauce.
-
Kendall College Dining Room
The School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College has turned out a host of local cooking luminaries, and this classy space with river and skyline views is where they honed their chops. Inventive French and New American cuisine comes at a fantastic value. The Dining Room is only open during the school term; call ahead for reservations.
-
Kopi, A Traveler's Cafe
An extremely casual coffee shop with a pile of pillows on the floor in the window, Kopi stocks travel books and serves sandwiches and desserts to its lefty clientele. On the bulletin board you'll find ads from people looking for trekking partners to Kazakhstan or looking to unload last year's rock-climbing gear.
-
Kuma's Corner
Kuma's Corner might be a dark corner of heaven, where a soundtrack of thrashing rock compliments a roster of burgers themed after heavy metal icons. The results can be straightforward (Black Sabbath comes blackened with chili and pepper jack), esoteric (Led Zeppelin is piled with pulled pork, bacon, cheddar and pickles) or whimsical (Judas Priest has bacon, bleu cheese, fruit and nuts), but the concept has earned an emphatic cult following.
-
La Tache
With its deco finish, La Tache offers sweet elegance and reasonably priced, high-end bistro fare to a rapidly growing fan base. The veal cheeks here are wonderful, as is Napoleon's favorite postbattle meal, chicken Marengo - this version has chicken served with garlicky crawfish, mushrooms and a poached egg. Looking for a romantic restaurant on the North Side? Look no further.
