DINE & DRINK
3 ARTS CLUB CAFE
Hogsalt Hospitality founder Brendan Sodikoff says of this airy destination at the center of RH’S fab Gold Coast gallery, “It’s a place where anyone can feel at home.” True—but it helps if you’re wearing designer duds to fit in with the uber-chic crowd of lunching ladies. 1300 N. Dearborn St., 312-475-9116; 3artsclubcafe.com
ANTEPRIMA
Charming neighborhood vibe and accomplished home-style fare make this Italian spot an Andersonville favorite. Must-try signature plates include super-tender grilled octopus and orecchiette with house-made lamb sausage. INSIDER TIP: While not always on the menu, knockout pasta dish cacio e pepe is always available. 5316 N. Clark St., 773-506-9990; anteprimachicago.net
THE AVIARY
From world-famous chef Grant Achatz and partner Nick Kokonas, this is the city’s premier destination for avant-garde cocktails. INSIDER TIP: After your first drink, ask your server if there’s room in teensy downstairs speakeasy The Office— where bartenders shake up the ultimate in classic cocktails—for round two. 955 W. Fulton Market; theaviary.com
BANGERS & LACE
It’s a sausage fest at this curated craft beer and encased meats destination, whose recently opened Addison street location gives Wrigleyvillers a dignified alternative to the sports bar madness. INSIDER TIP: Brunch is a real find; don’t miss the shakshouka, a plate of spicy African goodness with eggs and lamb sausage. 1851 W. Addison St., 773-697-8667; 1670 W. Division St., 773-252-6499; 810 Grove St., Evanston, 847-905-0854; bangersandlace.com
NEW BAPTISTE & BOTTLE
Bourbon is the keyword at this Conrad Hotel hot spot spearheaded by globetrotting chef Richard Sandoval, who crafts inspired American plates—chicory and gorgonzola salad, triple-seared prime NY strip—to pair with smart cocktails like the Southside Mule (local Koval bourbon, pineapple-rosemary shrub, ginger). 101 E. Erie St., 20th Fl., 312-667-6793; baptisteandbottle.com
BAR LUPO
Double whammy: Not only does this Italian pub new to River North boast an industry vet in owner Brian O’connor (Maple & Ash, RIA, North Pond)—the beverage program is curated by rock star mixologist Liz Pearce. Chicken parm + aperol spritz? Count us in. INSIDER TIP: Dig into the killer late-night menu with meatball subs and $2.99 house shots. 217 W. Huron St., 312-643-3400; barlupochicago.com
NEW BAR ROMA
The meatball craze hits Andersonville with this buzzing new Italian destination, which tempts with 5 kinds of ’balls (lamb, pork belly, chicken, veal, and good old ground beef) plus house-made pastas, all whipped up by veteran chef Fred Ramos. 5101 N. Clark St., 773-9427572; barromachicago.com
NEW BODEGA
As if the ACME Hotel weren’t already a hotbed of craft cocktails (Berkshire Room anyone?), the
surging Fifty/50 Restaurant Group has opened this upstairs sister venue serving “all things fizzy, frosty, and boozy.” 15 E. Ohio St., 312-8940945; acmehotelcompany.com
BOLEO
One of the latest in Chicago’s string of hot-hot-hot hotel bars, this sexy rooftop lounge in The Kimpton Gray Hotel serves contemporary takes on South American street fare—think ceviche and empanadas—alongside pisco-centric cocktails and sultry live music. 122 W. Monroe St., 15th Fl., 312-750-9007; boleochicago.com
NEW BROKEN ENGLISH TACO PUB
Mexican street food gets the Technicolor treatment at this vibrant, whimsical new destination from Chicago restaurant legend Phil Stefani. Offerings include 12 kinds of tacos (shrimp, barbacoa, carne asada), plus snacks like achiote hummus and street corn hush puppies. 75 E. Lake St.,312-9293601; tacopub.com
CHICAGO CHOP HOUSE
Go old school at this clubby, masculine River North steakhouse set in a lovingly restored brownstone, whose walls are lined with vintage Chicago images and whose menu is as comfortingly classic: baked oysters Rockefeller, wedge salads, and a stacked list of USDA prime steaks. INSIDER TIP: The voluminous (and award-winning) wine list is a must-read for oenophiles. 60 W. Ontario St., 312-787-7100; chicagochophouse.com
CHICAGO CUT STEAK HOUSE
Drawing a high-profile crowd ranging from government types to visiting celebs and local athletes, this sleek riverside destination from industry vets David Flom and Matt Moore has risen to become one of the city’s most popular restaurants—and with its spot-on service and primo steakhouse fare (the decadent lobsterscargot is life-changing), it’s no wonder. 300 N. Lasalle St., 312-329-1800; chicagocutsteakhouse.com
CINDY’S
This buzzing terrace atop the landmark Chicago Athletic Association Hotel has been one of the hottest tables in town since its 2015 opening thanks to killer year-round views of Millennium Park and Christian Ragano’s creative cuisine. INSIDER TIP: Lunch is a much easier reservation—and boasts one of the best duck confit plates in the city. 12 S. Michigan Ave.,13th Fl., 312-7923502; cindysrooftop.com
NEW COCO CHAMPAGNE LOUNGE
Nightlife impresario Andy Li (TR Napa Valley) returns with this new addition to Hubbard Street’s buzzing dining and drinking scene, a posh, multi-level restaurant and wine bar set to open in early ’17 in the heart of River North. 23 W. Hubbard St.; cocochampagnelounge.com
COCO PAZZO
Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017, this lofty-chic institution in River North is still a staple for refined Tuscan-inspired fare. INSIDER TIP: Whether with wild mushrooms or saffron, the ever-changing risotto of the day is always a crowd-pleaser.
300 W. Hubbard St., 312-836-0900; cocopazzochicago.com
COCO PAZZO CAFE
Making its debut in a new location, this Streeterville favorite features a combination of Tuscan classics from its former menu along with a sampling of Roman-inspired dishes from sibling restaurant Tre Soldi. 212 E. Ohio St.; cocopazzochicago.com
CORNED BEEF FACTORY
This cash-only Fulton Market District eatery prepares its meats on-site in a quest to serve Chicago’s best corned beef sandwich. INSIDER TIP: Go for the Tom and Jerry Combo, a mouthwatering mix of corned beef and the factory’s signature pastrami. 1009 W. Lake St., 312-666-2535; cornedbeeffactorychicago.com
NEW ENTENTE
Owner Ty Fujimura (Arami) has assembled an all-star team including Brian Fisher (Schwa) and pastry chef Mari Katsumura (Grace, Acadia) to bring casual, super-seasonal fare— expressed in a tight list of offerings from chicken liver mousse with Concord grape jelly to fettucine with white truffle and Brussels sprouts—to Lakeview. 3056 N. Lincoln Ave., 872-206-8553; ententechicago.com
NEW FIFOLET CAJUN & COCKTAILS
Named after the blue lights that float above the Louisiana bayou, this buzzing new destination brings New Orleans spice to the always-buzzing Wicker Park dining scene. Dig into classics like fried green tomatoes, gumbo, shrimp Creole, and po’boys; boozy offerings include planter’s punch, Sazeracs, and French 75s. INSIDER TIP: Save room for dessert, which includes beignets and bananas Foster pie. 1942 W. Division St., 773-384-6886; fifoletcajun.com
NEW THE FLAMINGO RUM CLUB
From Caribbean-inspired tapas to luxe bottle service and a bar serving up mojitos, daiquiris, and caipirinhas, this island-inspired restaurant and cabaret aims to bring the spirit of Havana to River North. INSIDER TIP: Wednesdays feature a can’t-miss cabaret starting at 9pm. 601 N. Wells St., 312-929-0060; theflamingorumclub.com
GT PRIME
The team behind GT Fish & Oyster get carnivorous at this contemporary steakhouse, whose wide-ranging (and locally sourced) menu tempts with bison tenderloin, short rib tortellini, king crab, and pork belly mac and cheese. 707 N. Wells St., 312-6006305; gtprimerestaurant.com
HARRY CARAY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
Sporting atmosphere meets sophisticated menu at this River North institution, one of the city’s top spots for steak and a veritable shrine to the Cubs and other Chicago sports teams. INSIDER TIP: The restaurant’s chicken Vesuvio—a classic Chicago dish cooked in white wine and plated with peas and potatoes—is easily the best in town. 33 W. Kinzie St., 312-828-0966; harrycarays.com
NEW INCOME TAX
Europe is the focus of this newcomer
to Edgewater, from the smartly curated list of wines, sherries, beers, and ciders to the selection of wine-friendly plates, including bacalao, pâté, lamb meatballs, and Black Forest duck with spaetzle. 5959 N. Broadway, 773-897-9165; incometaxbar.com
LEÑA BRAVA
The Rick Bayless empire continues to expand with this always-packed Baja-style addition to Restaurant Row. Sip a Leña ice (mescal, yellow Chartreuse, lime, cucumber, and serrano pepper) while people watching over tempting plates of ceviche, black cod “al pastor,” and 32-ounce Tomahawk steaks. 900 W. Randolph St., 312-733-1975; rickbayless.com/restaurants/lena-brava
LH
One of the city’s hottest bars with a view, this tri-level rooftop hangout at the Londonhouse hotel scores with craft cocktails and creative American fare. INSIDER TIP: For a primo proposal location, book the Cupola, the hotel’s exquisitely intimate indoor/outdoor space at the tippy-top of the hotel. 85 E. Upper Wacker Dr., 21st—23rd Fl., 312-357-1200; londonhousechicago.com/rooftop
MASTRO’S
This glitzy River North destination for steaks and sushi brings a little bit of Hollywood to the Windy City’s carnivorous scene. The indulgent warm butter cake is one of the city’s top desserts. INSIDER TIP: Catch live music from acts like three-man trio The Champagne Kings nightly in the lounge starting at 6:30. 520 N. Dearborn St., 312-521-5100; mastrosrestaurants.com
MERCADITO
mexican fare meets nightclub vibe at this River North hit, whose crowd-friendly menu boasts six kinds of guacamole and 11 taco varieties, plus creative drinks (try the mango-licious Smokey pablo). INSIDER TIP: For a slinkier scene, head downstairs to La mez lounge, which offers more than 80 rotating mezcals and a DJ on weekends. 108 W. Kinzie St., 312-329-9555; mercaditorestaurants.com
MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE
A Chicago original since 1978, and still one of the city’s absolute best places for steak. INSIDER TIP: Catch “power Hour” in the bar m–f 5–8
for primo food and drink specials. 1050 N. State St., 312-2664820; 65 E. Wacker Pl., 312-201-0410; mortons.com
OCEAN CUT CHICAGO
Sophisticated-yet-approachable seafood destination from Chicago Cut partners David Flom and matt moore. Chef and industry vet Dirk Flanigan (The Gage, Henri) crafts uber-fresh, flavorful fare like jungle curry mussels and swordfish au poivre. INSIDER TIP: make tracks to the Shark Bar on Tuesdays during Happy Hour (4–7 pm) for a chance to take home a pair of Jimmy Choos. 20 W. Kinzie St., 312-280-8882; oceancutchicago.com
PELAGO
It’s all in the family at this lovely, intimate Raffaello Hotel destination, where michelin-starred chef mauro mafrici crafts exquisite Italian fare— think delicate beef carpaccio with cremini mushrooms, and penne pasta with hen ragù and sage—in an elegant space designed by wife Kimberly Anguil mafrici, an architect and interior designer. 201 E. Delaware Pl., 312-280-0700; pelagorestaurant.com
ROCKIT
From nightlife king Billy Dec and the squad at Rockit Ranch (Sunda, Bottlefork, Underground, Duck Inn), this was River North’s first sports bar/ lounge/restaurant hybrid, and it’s still the best. Smartly crafted bar fare includes everything from gourmet burgers and salads to addictive, pizza roll-esque Rockit pockits. 22 W. Hubbard St., 312-645-6000; rockitbarandgrill.com
RPM STEAK
pm power couple Bill and Giuliana
Rancic prove that RPM Italian’s success was no fluke with this see-and-be-seen sister restaurant, the rare Chicago steakhouse where stilettos are as common as suits and the meat-heavy menu offers tempting gluten-free and vegetarian options aplenty. 66 W. Kinzie St., 312-2844990; rpmrestaurants.com
SIENA TAVERN
The flagship restaurant from the Dineamic Group, this River North hot spot showcases comforting, creative Italian fare from Top Chef fave Fabio Viviani, from crudo and grilled octopus to house-made pastas and truffle-topped pizzas. 51 W. Kinzie St., 312-595-1322; sienatavern.com
NEW SPILT MILK
Logan Square’s latest must-try for cocktails, a classy throwback establishment with a gorgeous mahogany bar and a compelling drink list featuring Concord grape juleps and Madras margaritas, plus pineapple soft serve topped with the cocktail du jour. 2758 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-4138440; spiltmilktavern.com
NEW WON FUN CHINESE
Sichuan-style dining and drinking hits Restaurant Row with the arrival of this double destination, featuring a 60-seat ground floor family-style restaurant serving classics like Beijing-style duck and Ma Po tofu (Won Fun) and a second-floor craft cocktail and karaoke lounge and dim sum hangout (2Fun). 905 W. Randolph St., 312-877-5967; funfunchinese.com