THE GUIDE
Dining
Go Gray
Sister Power
Taking Flight
Steadfast brings fine dining to the Loop at the new Kimpton Gray Hotel. In a historic setting, elegant marble, rich woods and plush leather glam up the open-kitchen dining room, gleaming bar and 14-seat preticketed tasting room. Snag a chef’s table if you can. 120 W. Monroe St., 312.801.8899, steadfastrestaurant.com
Amy and Clodagh Lawless may have gotten some tips from restaurateur brother Billy Lawless (The Gage). But The Dearborn Tavern is all theirs. The Loop Theater District spot has some real show-stoppers, including the local burrata and perfectly light fish and chips. 145 N. Dearborn St., 312.384.1242, thedearborntavern.com
The restaurant that has everyone chirping is Oriole, an intimate 28-seat spot hidden in the West Loop. The team of Noah Sandoval, Genie Kwon and sommelier Aaron McManus turns out an elegant extended tasting menu with dainty touches from nature. 661 W. Walnut St., 312.877.5339, oriolechicago. com
Bucktown/Wicker Park ANIMALE Italian. The team behind Osteria Langhe
has another Italian hit on their hands: Animale, a fast-casual concept in Bucktown. Now you can get Chef Cameron Grant’s famous plin pasta on the go, along with other delectable dishes like caprese paninis, fegato pizza and panna cotta. L (Sa, Su); D (daily). www.animalechicago.com. 1904 N. Western Ave., 872.315.3912. El: Blue to Western. $$
(FROM LEFT) ©ETHAN TALLEY; ©KAILLEY LINDMAN; ©TIMOTHY FLORES
CLUB LUCKY Italian. This Bucktown favorite serves
up traditional, family-style Italian cuisine with a generous helping of ’40s supper club atmosphere. Menu highlights include a fresh vegetarian antipasti, house-made pastas and eggplant parmigiana. Cocktail lounge and private room. Valet parking. L (M-F), D (daily). www.clubluckychicago. com. 1824 W. Wabansia Ave., 773.227.2300. El: Blue to Damen. $$-$$$ PRESIDIOAmerican. This hotspot on hip Damen
Avenue promises creative drinks, fresh ingredients and West Coast cool. Presidio, named for San Fran’s parkland, is a dimly lit spot, perfect for sinking into velvet and leather. Pair wild black bass with the chili-kicky Pisco Punch #1 or a California wine. D (T-Su); brunch (Su). www.presidiochicago.com. 1749 N. Damen Ave., 773.697.3315. El: Blue to Damen. $$ TRENCHERMEN Eclectic. Named for hearty eaters
and drinkers, this neighborhood restaurant buzzes on its old-is-new-again aesthetic and inventive menu in the heart of Wicker Park. Set in a former
There’s a lot more going Turkish bathhouse, the restaurant on this September. takes unexpected liberties with the Visit us online: JAKE MELNICK’S CORNER TAP Pub Fare. familiar, from ramps and bulgur wheat wheretraveler.com This dressed-down neighborhood pub in the braised pork shoulder dish to does everything from burgers to tuna, and popcorn grits paired with fried chicken does it well. A worldwide beer (bottle and thighs. While the plates scream fine tap) selection provides the perfect liquid enhancedining, the space—lit just so with Art Deco fixtures ment at this pocket of Americana. L, D (daily); and built with leather booths—manages comfort brunch (Su). www.jakemelnicks.com. 41 E. Superior and intimacy. D (daily), brunch (Sa, Su). www.trenSt., 312.266.0400. El: Red to Chicago. $$ chermen.com. 2039 W. North Ave., 773.661.1540. El: Blue to Damen. $$-$$$ MIKE DITKA’S Steak. Located just off the Mag Mile, this classy spot is the creation of legendary Bears coach Mike Ditka, whose career memorabilia lines the walls. The fare is fine dining, all-American PHOENIX RESTAURANT Chinese. Located in style; the decor is upscale and football-inspired. the heart of Chinatown, this popular restaurant Live music. Valet parking. L, D (daily), brunch (Su). specializes in Hong Kong-style Cantonese dishes. www.mikeditkaschicago.com. 100 E. Chestnut St., Entrées include live seafood prepared to order, 312.587.8989. El: Red to Chicago; 2 Mid-America two-course Peking duck carved tableside, live Plaza, Oakbrook Terrace, 630.572.2200. $$$ lobster or Dungeness crab. The chef’s special
Gold Coast
Chinatown
lobster sauce is a house favorite, too. B, L, D (daily). www.chinatownphoenix.com. 2131 S. Archer Ave., 312.328.0848. El: Red to Cermak-Chinatown. $$-$$$ TRIPLE CROWN RESTAURANT Chinese. This local
favorite offers a variety of dishes, including lobster, crab, Mandarin pork chops and spare ribs, as well as the specialty vegetarian Angry Buddha with tofu, broccoli, baby corn, black mushrooms, green peppers and onions. The dim sum goes on all day. Validated parking. Late-night dining. B, L, D (daily). www.triplecrownchicago.com. 2217 S. Wentworth Ave., 312.842.0088. El: Red to Cermak-Chinatown. $
MORTON’S THE STEAKHOUSE Steak. Dark wood
accents and a classy, clubby atmosphere make this national steakhouse chain a Chicago landmark. The menu features a 14-ounce filet, a 20-ounce New York sirloin and a 24-ounce porterhouse, plus specialties like Maine lobster and a variety of other seafood and poultry dishes. L (only at Wacker Place, M-F ), D (daily). www.mortons.com. 1050 N. State St., 312.266.4820. El: Red to Clark/Division; 65 E. Wacker Pl., 312.201.0410. El: Loop to State/Lake; 9525 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Rosemont, 847.678.5155; 699 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847.205.5111; 1751
GET A TASTE OF Jollibee’s “crispylicious” fried chicken at the first Chicago area outpost of the Filipino fast-food chain. 3534 W. Touhy Ave., Skokie, jollibeeusa.com w w w.wh e re t r ave l e r. com 29
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