Dine
EDITED BY JULIE CHERNOFF
773-772-4422, piecechicago.com LD $
DOWNTOWN/ LOOP ACANTO Italian Terrific rustic Italian food is just within reach of Millennium Park and Chicago’s Cultural Mile. Order one of chef Christopher Gawronski’s thin-crust pizzas or tender pastas and a glass of wine, and relax. 18 S. Michigan Ave., 312-578-0763, acantochicago.com LD, BR $$
Cindy’s jaw-dropping wall of windows
• CINDY’S Mediterranean Shared Plates The panoramic rooftop patio views overlooking Millenium Park and Lake Michigan are worth it alone, but happily chef Christian Ragano turns out food both delicious and Instagrammable. 12 S. Michigan Ave., 312-792-3502, cindysrooftop.com LD, BR $$$
CHICAGO ANDERSONVILLE BIG JONES Southern Just off a recent reno, this is chef Paul Fehribach’s delicious letter to the American South, inspired by its people and history. The cornbread! The chicken! The gumbo! All stellar. 5347 N. Clark St., 773-2755725, bigjoneschicago. com LD, BR $$ HOPLEAF Gastropub For 25 years, this has been the place for
mussels and frites, washed down with one of more than 60 different craft beers. 5148 N. Clark St., Chicago, 773-334-9851, hopleafbar.com LD $
BUCKTOWN/ WICKER PARK ADA STREET Global/ Shared Plates New chef Scott Sax brings a decidedly Latin flair to this charming resto, including pleasantly doughy Brazilian Pao de Quejo, tequila-glazed Grilled Baby Octopus and Pork Adobo. The
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outdoor patio is a superfun (and secluded) summer destination. 1664 N. Ada St., 773697-7069, adastreet chicago.com D $$ HOT CHOCOLATE American Comfort Food James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal is so much more than a dessert queen; witness the brilliance of her mac and cheese, the perfect hamburger, or her Crispy Chicken with Grits. But back to the dessert—if you decide to leave without
slurping down her Malted Coffee Cocoa Nib Milkshake, you are clearly insane. 1747 N. Damen Ave., 773-4891747, hotchocolate chicago.com LD, BR $$ PIECE Pizza/Brewery New Haven-style pizza at its finest (read: charred, thin-crust Neopolitan-style), especially when accompanied by a growler of their awardwinning brew. If you really want to be taken seriously, order the clam with bacon. 1927 W. North Ave.,
THE DEARBORN Upscale Tavern It’s the perfect location for dinner before (or after—they’re open late!) virtually any Loop theater show or concert. The Dearborn’s eclectic global cuisine covers the gamut from Korean BBQ Tacos to Shrimp and Octopus Ceviche, but they’ve also got a damn good burger. 145 N. Dearborn St., 312384-1242, thedearborn tavern.com LD, BR $$
GOLD COAST THE PURPLE PIG Mediterranean/ Small Plates Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. is a fourth- generation restaurateur—and a James Beard Award winner. Known for an awe-inspiring collection of cured meats, cheeses, “smears,” and housemade antipasti, they keep the plancha fired up with a great selection of meaty small plates, perfect for sharing after a hard day of shopping on Michigan Avenue. 500 N. Michigan Ave.,
312-464-1744, thepurple pigchicago.com L D, $$ SOMERSET Seasonal American Chef Lee Wolen and pastry goddess Meg Galus are at it again, shaking up the Gold Coast with this snazzy resto in the new Viceroy Hotel, designed to the nines and the perfect backdrop for their seasonal take on elevated comfort food. Viceroy Hotel, 1112 N. State St., 312-586-2150, somersetchicago.com BLD, BR $$$
SPIAGGIA Italian Barack and Michelle flipped for James Beard Award winner Tony Mantuano’s luxe Italian cuisine, and it’s easy to understand why. The nearby Café Spiaggia is a more casual option and is also open for lunch. 980 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor, 312-280-2750, spiaggiarestaurant.com D $$$$
LINCOLN PARK/ LAKEVIEW ALINEA Tasting Menu James Beard Award winner and three-star Michelin chef Grant Achatz has the world on a string. Reservations are rare and the price is steep, but if you can, this is an experience you should have at least once. 1723 N. Halsted St., 312-867-0110, alinearestaurant.com D $$$$
BOKA Contemporary American Chef Lee Wolen ably helms the BOKA Group’s flagship restaurant. Clubby, sleek interiors are the
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