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Lao Sze Chuan
Lao Sze Chuan is the most authentic option in the heavily-touristy Chinatown Sq. The house special is the special three chili chicken, which is tender and very spicy, though the extensive menu has excellent hotpots next to recipes from the far reaches of the Szechuan province. If the choices are overwhelming, look for advice from watchful chef and owner 'Tony' Xiao Jun Hu.
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Lawrence Fisheries
There's not much to look at inside this 24-hr fish-and-chips joint, but the window at the end of the long dining room frames a stunning scene of the Sear's Tower over the Chicago River. Not that you have much option to stand agape once your order arrives - delicious treats like popcorn shrimp, oysters and fish chips are stalwarts, but frog legs and scallops round out the menu of batter-crusted goodies from the sea.
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Le Bouchon
Classic French defines the menu at this quaint spot, a favorite for neighborhood types seeking a good deal and romantic environs. The lyonnaise salad is a winner, and other faves on the short menu range from escargot to chocolate marquisse (chocolate mousse without the egg whites).
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Le Lan
A joint venture of two of Chicago's most respected chefs - Roland Liccioni (of Les Nomades) and Arun Sampanthavivat (of Arun's) - yields Chicago's most venerated Asian fusion. Enjoy the exquisite marriage of French and Vietnamese cuisine in a brick-walled setting.
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Leonardo's Restaurant
A sleek-yet-quaint atmosphere and delicious traditional Tuscan fare make this a fiercely-guarded local neighborhood favorite. No yawnish pasta and meatballs; the 18 Hour Ravioli - stuffed with a mouth watering combination of braised osso bucco & goat cheese, covered in a caramelized pearl onions, sage and a succulent demi glaze - is the champion of the menu, and a whole boneless chicken tops the meat mains.
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Letizia's Natural Bakery
Early risers can get their fix of fantastic baked goods here starting at , and everyone else can swing by at a more reasonable hour for their crunchy, toasty panini, slices of gourmet pizza and some mind-expanding coffee. Salads are good too.
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Lou Mitchell's
Immediately west of the Loop and close to Union Station, this popular coffee shop brings in elbow-to-elbow tourists for their breakfasts. The omelets hang off the plates, and the fluffy flapjacks and crisp waffles are prepared with practiced perfection. Cups of coffee are bottomless, just like the charm of the staff members who hand out free treats to young and old alike.
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Lula Café
Located in the up-and-coming neighborhood of Logan Sq (NW of Wicker Park), this friendly, upmarket café is where hipsters come when they have something to celebrate. Even the muffins here are something to drool over, and that goes double for lunch items like pasta yiayia (bucatini pasta with Moroccan cinnamon, feta and garlic) and dinners such as marinated rib-eye with braised kale.
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Margie's
This ice-cream parlor on the outer northwest edge of Wicker Park has been making and selling its own, piled-high on sundaes, splits and cones since 1921. It's been almost as long since the crowded place was redecorated; the tables are few and a half hour wait is common. Once you get a seat, you can forestall the inevitable with a burger or sandwich, or just throw yourself into the cold, creamy main course.
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Mario's
At this cheerful box-front store in Little Italy, super Italian ice comes loaded with big chunks of fresh fruit, and keeps the crowds coming in the summer.
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May May Gourmet Food Inc
Ask a Chinatown local for the most authentic meal in the neighborhood and you'll invariably be directed down a side street to the green-painted exterior of this windowless café, also referred to simply as 'Gourmet Restaurant.' What it lacks in decor - which is considerable - is made up with the freshness of their made-to-order Cantonese dishes. Overcome a degree of language barrier by pointing to the delicious-looking dish on the next table over.
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Maza
Romantic yet unpretentious, this Lebanese favorite even has items for couples, including a wide-ranging tasting of hot and cold appetizers that includes marinated meats and stuffed grape leaves, and the fanciful Maza's Signature Entree, which offers a stuffed crown of lamb, served flambé. For a more platonic and less pricey experience, go with baked kibbeh (a traditional ball of cracked wheat, stuffed with spiced sirloin) or a broiled kebob.
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Medici
The menu of thin-crust pizzas, sandwiches and salads draw UC students to this colorful café and bakery. For breakfast, try the 'eggs espresso,' made by steaming eggs in an espresso machine. After your meal, check the vast bulletin board out front. It's the perfect place to size up the character of the community and possibly find the complete works of John Maynard Keynes for sale, cheap.
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Merlo Restaurante
Bolognese regional fare is the forte of this cozy family-operated slow food bistro and wine bar, where steaming dishes of risotto-of-the-day and hand-rolled pastas dominate the menu, offering particular comfort when the weather turns cold. Here an otherwise conservative choice of the tagliatelle brings a plate of perfectly sweet and savory meat sauce and ribbons of homemade pasta that would delight any Italian grandmother.
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Mia Francesca
Diners pack into one of the most popular small, family-run Italian bistros in the city, where closely spaced tables are topped with white tablecloths and fresh flowers. The frequently changing handwritten menu features earthy standards with aggressive seasoning from southern Italy. Other treats include wafer-thin pizzas and the often-overlooked staple of Italian kitchens: polenta. Service can be harried because of the clamoring crowds.
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Mike Ditka's Restaurant
When it's too cold for a tailgate party, come to this Near North spot owned by the famously cantankerous former coach of the Chicago Bears. The menu is as meaty as you'd expect (the 'Fridge' burger could feed a family for weeks), and fans will love the memorabilia-filled display cases.
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Milk & Honey
A bright, stylish space for an excellent breakfast or lunch, Milk & Honey has become the hangout du jour for discerning Ukrainian Village socialites. Most of the dishes are prepared from scratch by co-owner Carol Watson (don't miss the mac 'n' cheese) and the menu includes a long list of salads.
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Mirai Sushi
This high-energy restaurant has an even higher-energy lounge upstairs; both are packed with happy, shiny Wicker Park residents enjoying some of the freshest sushi in the area. From the trance-hop electronic music to the young, black-clad staff, Mirai is where connoisseurs of sashimi and maki (rolled sushi) gather to throw back a few cocktails between savory bites of yellowtail and shiitake tempura.
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Mk
Chef Michael Kornick (who was nominated for a James Beard award in 2005) wows the mostly business crowds with artfully presented dishes like ahi tuna, roast rack of lamb and sautéed veal sweetbreads. The desserts are equally scrumptious.
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Morton's
The meat here is aged to perfection and displayed tableside before cooking. See that half a cow? It's the 48oz double porterhouse. Smaller - but still quite dangerous if dropped on your toe - are the fillets, strip steaks and other cuts. The immense baked potatoes could prop up church foundations or try the hash browns, a superb version of a side dish all too often ignored. Expensive reds anchor the wine list.
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Mr Beef
At this local classic, the around C$5 Italian beef sandwiches come with long, spongy white buns that rapidly go soggy after a load of the spicy beef and cooking juices has been ladled on. Past a sign marked 'Elegant Dining Room,' you'll find a decidedly inelegant porch with picnic tables and an odd selection of movie posters on the wall.
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Mr Greek Gyros
Although there's no sign of Mrs, Ms or Mr Greek, 'the Mr' is a classic gyros joint with good prices. While the fluorescent lighting and plastic decor may lack a little in charm, the gyros have a beauty of their own. A full meal comes in at just over around C$5 , and they're open 24 hours a day.
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Mundial Cocina Mestiza
With a menu that blends Mediterranean and Mexican cuisine, Mundial is a good escape from the traditional staples of Pilsen. Goat-cheese ravioli and roasted corn risotto represent the Mediterranean influence and the excellent mojarra empapelada - a whole baked tilapia, wrapped in foil, stuffed with chorizo, pungent epazote and jalapeño-mayo - is an example of their broad-minded approach to traditional Mexican flavors.
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Nacional 27
Latin-American flavors aren't limited to the menu - salsa dancing breaks out here after on weekends. Chef Randy Zweiban mixes things up with a savory Pan-American menu; the seviche (raw fish marinated in citrus juice) is some of the best you'll find in Chicago.
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Nomi
NoMi is perched on the 7th floor of the Park Hyatt hotel, offering a sleek, minimalist interior and spectacular views over the Magnificent Mile. Acclaimed Chef Sandro Gamba's knack for combining French fare with Asian flair is evident in the dishes, ranging from caramelized Maine scallops to langoustine risotto. Reserve a window table around sunset - it's one of the most romantic experiences that Chicago has to offer. Reservations are required.
