DINE & DRINK
ANTEPRIMA
A charming neighborhood vibe and 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, the knockout pasta dish cacio e pepe is always available.
5316 N. Clark St., 773-506-9990; anteprimachicago.net
THE AVIARY
From world-famous Alinea chef Grant Achatz and partner Nick Kokonas, Fulton Market District’s The Aviary is the city’s premier destination for avant-garde cocktails. INSIDER TIP: After your first drink, ask your server if there’s room in the teensy downstairs speakeasy The Office—home of the ultimate 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 restaurant, 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 spicy Moroccan tomato stew 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
BAR LUPO
Double whammy: Not only does this River North Italian pub boast an industry vet in owner Brian O’connor (Maple & Ash, RIA, North Pond)— the beverage program is curated by star mixologist Liz Pearce. Chicken parm and an Aperol spritz? Count it! INSIDER TIP: Dig into the killer late-night menu with meatball subs and $3 house shots. 217 W. Huron St., 312-643-3400; barlupochicago.com
BAR ROMA
The meatball craze hits Andersonville with this buzzing new Italian destination, which tempts with five kinds of ’balls (lamb, pork belly, chicken, veal, and good-old ground beef) plus house-made pastas, all courtesy of veteran chef Fred Ramos. 5101 N. Clark St., 773-942-7572; barromachicago.com
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
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 CUT STEAKHOUSE
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 spoton service and primo steak house 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 among 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 confits in the city. 12 S. Michigan Ave.,13th Fl., 312-7923502; cindysrooftop.com
COCO CHAMPAGNE LOUNGE
Nightlife impresario Andy Li (TR Napa Valley) returns with this new addition to Hubbard Street’s red-hot dining and drinking scene: a posh, multilevel restaurant and wine bar in the heart of River North. 23 W. Hubbard St.; cocochampagnelounge.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., 312-664-0212; cocopazzochicago.com
EDEN
The ambitious menu at this contemporary American restaurant in the West Lake district—for which chef Devon Quinn grows more than 30 vegetables and herbs in a greenhouse he and his father built themselves— features dishes like braised duck lasagna and lamb loin with pistachio-yogurt panna cotta. 1748 W. Lake St., 312-366-2294; edeninchicago.com
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 fettuccine with white truffle and Brussels sprouts—to Lakeview. 3056 N. Lincoln Ave., 872-206-8553; ententechicago.com
NEW FAT BABY TACOS
The city’s taco-mad craze continues with this fast-casual River North newcomer, where tacos and burritos are filled with the likes of chicken, shrimp, or veggies, and accompanied with onion, cilantro, pickled jalapeño, green cabbage, and more. Soups, salads, cocktails, and aguas frescas, too. 109 W. Hubbard St., 312-5272229; fatbabytacos.com
THE FLAMINGO RUM CLUB
From Caribbean-inspired tapas to luxe bottle service and a bar serving up mojitos, daiquiris, and caipirinhas, this island-focused restaurant and cabaret aims to bring the spirit of Havana to River North.
INSIDER TIP: Wednesdays feature a can’t-miss cabaret starting at 9 PM.
601 N. Wells St., 312-929-0060; theflamingorumclub.com
NEW III FORKS STEAKHOUSE
Tucked into the Lakeshore East complex north of Millennium Park, this sleek downtown destination scores with a primo rooftop lounge and an updated steak house menu that tempts with plates like lamb meatballs, seared scallops with bacon jam, prime double-cut pork chops, and an impressive selection of prime, dry-aged, and Wagyu beef. 180 N. Field Blvd., 312-938-4303; 3forks .com/chicago
HARRY CARAY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
A sporting atmosphere meets a 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 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
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; income taxbar.com
NEW KATANA
From La-based Innovative Dining Group, this hit Sunset Strip restaurant brings its signature combination of sushi and classic Japanese barbecue to River North this summer in a sprawling, 13,000-square-foot space featuring a lounge, sushi bar, and 299-seat dining room. 339 N. Dearborn St.; innovativedining.com
LEÑA BRAVA
The Rick Bayless empire continues to expand with this always-packed Baja-style addition to Restaurant Row. Sip a Leña Ice (mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, lime, cucumber, and serrano pepper) while peoplewatching over tempting plates of ceviche, black cod “al pastor,” or a 32-ounce tomahawk steak. 900 W. Randolph St., 312-733-1975; rick bayless.com/restaurants/lena-brava
LH
One of Chicago’s hottest bars, which boasts a magnificent city view, this trilevel rooftop hangout at the Londonhouse hotel scores with craft cocktails and creative American fare. INSIDER TIP: For a primo proposal location, book the Cupola, Londonhouse’s exquisitely intimate indoor/ outdoor space at the tippy-top of the hotel. 85 E. Upper Wacker Dr., 21st—23rd Fls., 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 dining scene. The indulgent warm butter cake is one of the city’s top desserts.
INSIDER TIP: Catch nightly live music in the lounge from acts like the aptly named trio the Champagne Kings. 520 N. Dearborn St., 312-5215100; mastrosrestaurants.com
MERCADITO
Mexican fare meets a nightclub vibe at this River North hit, whose group-friendly menu boasts six different guacamoles, plus creative drinks (try the mango-licious Smokey Pablo). INSIDER TIP: For a sultrier scene, head downstairs to the lounge La Mez, which offers a rotating selection of more than 80 mezcals and a DJ on weekends. 108 W. Kinzie St., 312329-9555; mercaditorestaurants.com
MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE
A Chicago original since 1978, Morton’s is still one of the city’s absolute best places for steak. INSIDER TIP: Catch the bar’s 5–8 PM weekday “Power Hour” for primo food and drink specials. 1050 N. State St., 312-266-4820; 65 E. Wacker Pl., 312-201-0410; mortons.com
OCEAN CUT CHICAGO
At this sophisticated yet approachable seafood destination from Chicago Cut partners David Flom and Matt Moore, guests can expect überfresh and 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), when the restaurant raffles off a pair of Jimmy Choos. 20 W. Kinzie St., 312-2808882; oceancutchicago.com
OTTO MEZZO
The latest collaboration between nightlife maestros Rockit Ranch Productions and Michelin-starred chef Kevin Hickey, this Italian hangout opened this spring. Expect intriguing large-format and individual cocktails alike from awardwinning mixologist Brandon Phillips in an Italian arts- and cinema-inspired space. 311 W. Chicago Ave., 312-2340884; ottomezzobar.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—delicate beef carpaccio with cremini mushrooms, 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; pelago restaurant.com
PIZZERIA BEBU
Thin-crust pizza gets the gourmet treatment at this new Lincoln Park concept, where chef Jeff Lutzow (Publican, Nico Osteria) and team bake pies in a gas-fired, brick-lined oven for three and a half minutes (exactly!), then serve them piping-hot in a metal pizza tin. Toppings include littleneck clams and wild forest mushrooms. 1521 N. Fremont St., 312-280-6000; bebu.pizza
NEW PROXI
One of the summer’s most hotly anticipated openings, this new Fulton Market District destination from the award-winning team of Emmanuel Nony and chef Andrew Zimmerman gives global street food the gourmet treatment. Expect a livelier and more casual counterpoint to Sepia, its chic-but-buttoned-down sibling restaurant next door, when it opens its doors in June. 565 W. Randolph St., 312-441-1920; proxichicago.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 barlounge-restaurant hybrid, and it’s still the best. The 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
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 steak house where stilettos are as common as suits and the meat-heavy menu offers tempting gluten-free and vegetarian options aplenty. 66 W. Kinzie St., 312-284-4990; rpmrestaurants.com
SIENA TAVERN
The Dineamic Group’s flagship restaurant, 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
SOUTHERN CUT BBQ
First steak, then seafood; now the team behind Chicago Cut and Ocean Cut has embraced barbecue with this new Streeterville destination—and with ’cue queen Lee Ann Whippen manning the kitchen, this one is sure to make fans of Southern fare sit up and take notice. 198 E. Delaware Pl., 312-280-8887; southerncutbbq.com
SPILT MILK
Logan Square’s latest must-try for cocktails is a classy throwback establishment with a gorgeous mahogany bar and a compelling drinks list featuring Concord grape juleps and Madras margaritas, plus pineapple soft serve topped with the cocktail du jour. 2758 W. Fullerton Ave., 773413-8440; spiltmilktavern.com
NEW STEAK 48
Mastro’s founders Jeffrey and Michael Mastro bring their latest carnivorous concept to the heart of River North this summer in this 12,000-square-foot dining spot. Expect sleek design, a lively patio, and creative fare like fried deviled eggs, superfood salads, a king crab avocado stack, and
28-day wet-aged prime NY strips, bone-in ribeyes, and filet mignons cut in-house by the restaurant’s master butcher. 615 N. Wabash St.; steak48 .com/steakhouse-chicago
3 ARTS CLUB CAFE
Hogsalt Hospitality founder Brendan Sodikoff says of this airy retreat 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
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-friendly restaurant serving classics like Beijing-style duck and mapo 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