To keep tabs on every Chicago restaurant and bar opening is folly. But to keep tabs on the most worthy? Yeoman’s work, and we’re proud to do it. Thus we present Table Stakes, a monthly rundown of the five (or so) must-know spots that have swung wide their doors in the past thirty (or so). Bon appétit.
Summer is officially underway — and Chicago’s weather and restaurant scene are heating up accordingly. These five new spots below cater to those of us looking to live it up, post-pandemic. Think endless seafood towers, premium cocktails and massive steaks. Moral of the story: go big or stay home.
Chikatana
West Loop
You’re here because: You’re meeting friends for dinner and drinks in Fulton Market at this hot spot named after a Mexican flying ant.
You’re dining on: Chikatana specializes in regional Mexican cuisine from Chef Guillermo Reyes, who honed his craft at Mi Tocaya Antojeria. The cactus salad and paper-thin chicharron de queso are two solid plates to start with. Three types of tacos are on offer (cochinita pibil, cauliflower and soft shell crab), while larger plates include an American wagyu steak for two and grilled octopus with hominy and pineapple escabeche. Wash it all down with a house margarita or paloma. Chikatana will expand to include brunch and a late-night menu in the coming weeks.
850 W. Fulton Market (map)
Dom’s Kitchen & Market
Lincoln Park
You’re here because: You’re picking up groceries for the week but don’t feel like cooking dinner tonight.
You’re dining on: This retail-foodservice hybrid offers a little something for everyone, whether you’re here to shop for groceries or to enjoy a freshly prepared meal from a variety of on-site kitchens. Made-to-order salads, rice bowls and sandwiches, plus an outpost of Rome’s famed Bonci Pizza, are just a handful of options. Beverages range from local coffee and beer plus tea drinks like the Blame It On Rio with butterfly pea flower, as well as cocktails and wines by the glass.
2730 N. Halsted St. (map)
Lure Fish Bar
River North
You’re here because: You’re celebrating a special occasion with a fellow seafood lover.
You’re dining on: This New York and Miami import next to the 21C Museum Hotel brings an upscale seafood and sushi experience to the Windy City. Start with raw bar items including oysters, lobster, shrimp and crab, and if you’re really in the mood to celebrate, tap into Lure’s caviar service. Sushi fanatics will delight in a wide array of maki, sashimi and hand roll options like the Hellfire Roll with spicy tuna, bruleed tuna, avocado and kimchi sauce. Entrees focus on fresh fish, including halibut and red snapper, but even non-seafood eaters can enjoy one of several steak selections or a classic burger.
616 N. Rush St. (map)
Adalina
Gold Coast
You’re here because: You’re wiped after a day of retail therapy downtown and seek a comforting meal at this Gold Coast oasis.
You’re dining on: Modern Italian dishes from a kitchen helmed by chef Soo Ahn of Band of Bohemia fame. Familiar Italian flavors and dishes get flipped on their head: Cacio e pepe arancini and scallop vesuvio are just two examples. Eight varieties of handmade pasta and a 50 oz. steak Florentine — carved tableside — are other standouts. Adalina’s massive wine cellar features 400 different bottles of wine, ensuring you’ll find something that suits your tastes and your budget.
912 N. State St. (map)
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