Have a style for deep-dish pizza? Hankering for a tantalizing steak? How about Italian, Mediterranean, fusion, or ethnic delicacies? The beauty of eating in Chicago is that you’ll find all of it right here. Chicago is a melting pot of delicacies, influenced by the 77 totally different neighborhoods that make the town so distinctive.
Whereas there are a lot of eating places we return to time after time, Chicago can be a main spot for brand spanking new eateries. As a theatre reviewer, I get many alternatives to see performs downtown in addition to in native storefront theatres, getting an opportunity to attempt every kind of delicacies. Listed here are my suggestions.
1. Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse
Chicago is a meat and potatoes kinda city, and Gibsons is the go-to place for excellent steaks. Since 1989, this legendary chophouse has welcomed celebrities, vacationers, and locals into an upbeat, snug ambiance. Recognized for its U.S. Prime Angus beef, contemporary fish, basic cocktails, and an in depth wine checklist, eating right here will make you are feeling like an A-list movie star!
I like to recommend the New York strip steak, masterfully grilled with simply the correct amount of seasoning, accompanied by a yummy double-baked potato (the dimensions of your head or so it appeared) and sautéed spinach. When you desire one thing that swims, attempt the Faroe Island salmon with salsa verde and paprika.
You need to positively splurge, calorie-wise, on the luscious sky-high carrot cake, wealthy with cream cheese frosting, walnuts, and taste. Turtle pie additionally makes the right finale. You’ll in all probability have sufficient to take house after which some. Reservations really useful. Wheelchair accessible.
Earlier than Gibson’s took over, the enduring Mr. Kelley’s nightclub occupied the house and launched the careers of many standard entertainers. (I noticed Barry Manilow the week he was right here in 1975 earlier than he was a famous person. Twice.)
2. Carmine’s Rush Road
For me, consuming at Carmine’s is like having Sunday dinner at my Aunt Bella’s. Certain, it’s bought white tablecloths, however the ambiance and repair are a lower above. Carmine’s is understood for serving up beneficiant parts of steak, rooster, and handmade pastas. However it’s additionally a scorching spot for extra informal eating with handcrafted brick-oven fired pizza such because the Rosebud Meatball Pizza. Start with the minestrone soup, chock stuffed with greens, and the Caesar Salad. The Eggplant Stack Salad can be incredible with breaded eggplant, mozzarella, and extra. You possibly can’t go improper with any one of many parmesan dishes — rooster, veal, or eggplant — topped with marinara sauce for a satisfying, savory meal.
Professional Tip: Carmine’s is among the eating places underneath grand restaurateur Alex Dana’s portfolio, comprising the Rosebud eating places, together with the latest Rosebud in Millennial Park.
3. Petterino’s
Longtime maître d’ at The Pump Room, Chez Paree, and different beloved Chicago establishments, Arturo Petterino was a gentleman’s gentleman who now has a swanky restaurant named after him. Acknowledged for its basic American dishes, prime steaks, and contemporary seafood, this old-school Italian supper membership invitations you in with a welcoming setting.
Situated in Chicago’s Theatre District, Petterino’s is the place to go earlier than the theater, and reservations are strongly really useful as a result of everybody else has the identical thought. Take a look at the Goodman Theatre subsequent door in addition to a number of different theatres down the road. When you can’t get a desk to make curtain, eat on the bar.
Begin out with their tomato bisque soup, creamy and succulent, or their truffle fries. My favourite is the Ferrioli Salad with Nona Rosa blended leaves, Port pear, and candied walnuts.
For entrees, I counsel Indignant Salmon, penne ala vodka, or the petite filet. Scrumptious sides embrace roasted broccoli, whipped garlic potatoes, and balsamic glazed Brussels sprouts. Remember to go away room for his or her incredible desserts like Bailey’s Tiramisu or numerous flavors of gelato.
Newly opened is the Petterino’s to Go window the place you possibly can order espresso, pastries, pizza, salads, or sandwiches on the run.
Professional Tip: What’s terrific about having dinner right here is that they provide valet parking, so you possibly can park your automobile for dinner and hold it there till the present is over.
4. RPM Italian
Situated within the River North neighborhood, RPM Italian is the primary partnership between Chicago’s notorious Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises and movie star couple Giuliana and Invoice Rancic. The result’s an inspiring eating expertise with genuine Italian dishes that are supposed to be shared, accompanied by an in depth wine checklist. Beautiful views overlooking the Chicago River and skyline add to the ambiance.
Go for any of the house-made pastas, just like the quick rib bolognese or bucatini, each of that are wealthy and filling. My advice is the Roasted Ora King Salmon, served with artichoke and olive tapenade, or the Hen Vesuvio al Forno. When you’re actually hungry, suppose large — order the 20 oz. Painted Hills Ribeye Steak, which is juicy and succulent.
In relation to selecting dessert, you’ve bought a lot of candy choices. However Invoice’s Salted Caramel Cocoa Nibs are a wonderful alternative. Or go all out and order the RPM Cheesecake, topped with bitter cherry compote and vanilla whipped cream.
5. Mastro’s Steakhouse
Thought of one of many High 10 Steakhouses within the U.S., you’ll come to Mastro’s anticipating to be wowed. You may be. I say begin with the gooey French onion soup that’s wealthy and flavorful, served with crunchy croutons. For one thing eye-popping, attempt their 2-foot-tall seafood tower that includes chilled crab legs, shrimp, and oysters over a mattress of dry ice. Wow is correct.
If nice steaks are what you’re after, attempt the porterhouse or bone-in ribeye, so tender with juices flowing. Mastro’s is understood for its premium, over-the-top cuts of Japanese Wagyu steaks, together with the 32-ounce and 40-ounce Tomahawk chops. Dare you go large? For one thing lighter, the Chilean sea bass is flaky and scrumptious.
All the edges are giant sufficient to share. Will you get sufficient of the world-class lobster mashed potatoes? Indulge within the white cheddar mac & cheese or sauteed spinach, too. For dessert, I’d stick to the favored Mastro’s Signature Heat Butter Cake with vanilla ice cream. It tastes prefer it simply got here out of the oven — a tasty finish to an beautiful meal. The high-energy ambiance with stay music is again once more! Correct apparel is required.
6. Greek Islands
Go to Greek Islands, this standard Halsted Road restaurant, and also you’ll suppose you’ve landed smack dab in the midst of Mykonos. Don’t miss the flaming saganaki cheese, which is a efficiency unto itself. Ready tableside, the cheese is flambeed with the Greek liquor Ouzo and the flames are doused with a squeeze of lemon juice. Wait till it cools off a bit after which get pleasure from! I at all times select the Mixture Plate, which options roast leg of lamb, mousaka, dolmades, meatballs, greens, and potatoes since you get a style of all the things. The opposite factor I like is Create a Combo, which lets you select two menu gadgets and make your personal favourite. Search for their Day by day Specials as effectively and you’ll want to save room for his or her candy baklava.
Professional Tip: When you’re planning to go to the Lyric Opera Home for a efficiency, allow them to know that, they usually’ll present categorical seating and repair.
7. Kabobi Persian And Mediterranean Grill
Get an genuine style of the Mediterranean at Kabobi Grill with its in depth menu of beef, rooster, lamb, and seafood with tons of vegetarian choices. Begin by ordering the contemporary, flaky pita bread with a beneficiant dollop of hummus and a facet of falafel. It’s insanely good. Then, determine which entrée you need and put together to get pleasure from ginormous parts of kabobs, Basmati rice, and greens. The entire kabobs come out scorching, crisp, and juicy. Kabobi additionally gives a wide range of blended grills that offer you an opportunity to attempt a spectrum of spices and tastes. My favourite is the salmon kabob, which includes a 12-ounce filet of seasoned Atlantic salmon, cooked to perfection and smothered with Basmati Rice and veggies. Their whitefish dinner comes with an enormous portion of fish, hummus, and Persian salad. The saffron butter rooster, braised in a yogurt cream sauce, can be a must-try!
When your dinner is finished, you’ll get a complimentary glass of scorching tea and an assortment of pastries. Their different tasty desserts just like the roasted hazelnuts and caramel halva or maamoul are fan-faves. Or go together with one thing extra conventional like their 5 Layer Chocolate Cake. It doesn’t matter what you order, you’ll really feel like household right here as a result of, effectively, it is a family-run enterprise that’s genuinely curious about your eating expertise. For visitors, it’s only one extra method to embrace an abundance of Persian hospitality. Now providing complimentary valet parking.
Professional Tip: When you really feel like eating late, Kabobi is open till midnight each evening and includes a particular Late-Night time menu.
Get Particular Offers With Chicago Restaurant Week From March 25 To April 10
Take pleasure in nice financial savings on greater than 300 eating places within the Fifteenth-annual celebration of the town’s award-winning culinary scene. For 17 days, taking part institutions will supply set menus at $25 for brunch and lunch, and $39 and/or $55 for dinner, excluding drinks, tax, gratuity, and supply. Reservations really useful. Study extra at choosechicago.com/chicago-restaurant-week/.
Chicago’s vibrant foodie scene is dynamic and one which retains altering with new entrepreneurs and daring improvements. Come for a go to and take a look at my suggestions. You’ll positively be hungry for extra!
