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let’s eat and drink | west loop chicago
photo credit nathan michael
When it comes to the Windy City, Chicago is best known for its deep dish pizza and ketchup-less hot dogs, but there’s so much more. Today I’m covering the West Loop, and this version of let’s eat and drink could take awhile. The West Loop has some of the best food in the city. There are so many amazing spots, and I know I’m going to forget a few so I will add to this list and I’d be happy to update it with any of your suggestions.
There are dozens of cafes, wine bars, small plate options, sushi bars, Mexican taquerias, Italian trattorias and French bistros, among many other exotic cuisines. There’s a stretch of Randolph Street from Halsted to Ogden called Restaurant Row with so many great options including Stephanie Izard’s Girl & The Goat and Little Goat restaurants. Sub-neighborhoods within the West Loop include Fulton Market, Greek Town and Randolph Market. Let’s eat and drink –
photo credit nathan michael
Au Cheval – Stop in here for a quick lunch. Also a great late-night spot. Signature plates include fried bologna piled into layers on a brioche bun and a burger that stacks two thin patties with melted American cheese and lots of mayo – some people claim it’s the best burger in the city.
Girl & the Goat – Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard opened this small plate hotspot in 2010. It’s probably the most popular West Loop restaurant so reserve your table at least three months out. Goat dishes are the specialty here and I can’t get enough of their bread – they have their own in house bakery where they make fresh bread daily.
Little Goat – This place is Izard’s follow up to Girl & the Goat and serves up her take on classic diner dishes. You can order a simple plate of eggs, bacon and toast here, but most of these classic dishes come with a twist like kimchi in the pancakes or goat chili on the cheese fries. Check out the bakery next door – it’s called Little Goat Bread and it has some of the best coffee in town.
De Cero – Quaint little Mexican café specializing in hand-pressed, made-to-order tacos. This place is a true West Loop gem.
Vivo – Sleek, sophisticated atmosphere and the menu is loaded with traditional Italian entrées. Last year for my birthday we came here and sat at Table 70 which is this table in an old elevator shaft that overlooks the entire restaurant. We had the most delicious meal and I highly recommend Table 70 for special occasions.
Maude’s Liquor Bar – This place is great for cocktails. Inside it’s like taking a trip to Paris – leather banquettes, weathered farmhouse tables and elegant fixtures. Fun place to go with your girlfriends. I recommend the Whiskey Smash.
Grange Hall Burger Bar – Looks like a cute little barn and has a no reservations policy. Menu headliners here are the scrumptious grass-fed beef burgers and don’t leave without having a slice of pie – this place features one pie every month.
Nellcote – Elegant interior inspired by a French Riviera mansion and some really unique Italian dishes. This is one of the newer Restaurant Row hotspots but it is highly recommended. Order one of their wood fired pizzas – I like the sunny side up organic egg.
RM Champagne Salon – Tucked behind Nellcote is this super swanky champagne spot. This place can be a little pricey but they have a large selection to choose from so just splurge a little.
Haymarket Pub & Brewery – Easygoing, reasonably priced place to chill out, try a new brew and watch a game. I love the exposed brick and vintage mosaic tiled floors. They specialize in classic Belgian and contemporary American beer styles.
The Publican – Large community tables, casual with a fun vibe. Try the oysters, grilled country ribs or the smoked trout. Also a popular place for brunch.
Publican Quality Meats – Warm interior design with floor to ceiling tiles and rustic wood furniture, laid-back and a great spot for lunch. This place is also a butcher shop, cafe, bakery and gourmet market. Can’t go wrong with any of the sandwiches here.
Glazed and Infused – Every time I go here there is a new donut to try and I love that about this place. The maple bacon long john will start your day off right and the raspberry glazed is so simple but so delicious!
Vera – A tiny little wine bar just off the beaten path with a Euro heavy wine list and a menu full of bold Spanish flavors served up on small plates. The vibe here is fun and relaxed – a fantastic date night spot.
Belly Q – The focus is Korean barbecue. If you go, try to snag one of the booths – they are the only seats with tabletop grilling. It’s honestly hard to go wrong here. I like the thai style fried chicken and all of the pancakes. Don’t leave without ordering the peanut butter and jelly soft serve icecream for dessert.
JP Graziano Grocery – Chicago is serious about their delis and this place is no joke. Try the spicy or the Mr. G sandwich. The food selection isn’t huge but this is also a great place to buy imported cheeses, olive oils and fresh pasta.
City Winery – Excellent wine selection, ofcourse. Also a great place for a spontaneous date night – grab dinner, drink wine and enjoy live music. You can sign up for wine classes here too.
Wishbone – I love this place for brunch. Dig into southern themed items like corn pancakes or shrimp and grits.
Porkchop – This spot has a casual vibe. The interior is strange but the food is legit. Menu favorites include the pork belly sliders, baby back ribs or the classic southern fried chicken.
Aviary – Talk about innovative drinks – think dry ice and steam! It’s pricey but this place is otherworldly and should not be missed.
Next – This place is like no other restaurant and offers a very unique dining experience. There are four different menus each year and they are inspired by various moments in time – like Paris 1906 or Chinese Modern. Don’t plan on making reservations here – you have to buy tickets online.
Lone Wolf – It’s a new spot in the neighborhood and I would recommend it for beers and savory pot pies. You can choose from the Cowboy Queue (smoked brisket and beans), the Steak and Ale and the Mac Daddy (mac and cheese, bacon and onion).
Avec – This tiny wine-focused restaurant opened over ten years ago but it hasn’t lost its appeal. The menu is inspired by North African and Mediterranean flavors and includes items like roasted swordfish with yellow lentils or a crispy focaccia stuffed with taleggio. Go for a bottle of wine under $30 here – bargain bottles are their specialty.
CH Distillery – this place serves their own craft spirits in classic and creative cocktails. One of their signature drinks is called The Tradition and it’s a shot of cold vodka with rye bread and pickles. I recommend the Czech Mate which is a combination of cinnamon infused vodka, grapefruit juice and honey syrup. It’s delicious!
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photo credit we are the barkers
I’m so proud of this city, and I loved living there so much that I thought I’d share some of my favorite spots with you – a guide if you ever visit Chicago or if you live here and want to try a few new places. Today I’m going to start with my old Chicago neighborhood – River West.
So, River West – it’s a tiny little neighborhood along Milwaukee from Grand to Chicago east of the Kennedy Expressway and west of the North Branch of the Chicago River and there are tons of fine dining and inexpensive cafes, wine bars and coffee shops. There’s an intersection at Grand, Milwaukee and Halsted with several great places – La Scarola, Iguana Cafe, Piccolo Sogno and The Dawson. River West also rubs elbows with some of the trendier neighborhoods in the city – Wicker Park, River North and the West Loop are all just a few blocks away. Let’s eat and drink –
Iguana Cafe – A true local hangout with a European feel – I love it here. Try the crepes or the paninis. Linger over coffee or a glass of wine. Also a great spot for brunch.
La Scarola – this little restaurant is the real thing. Healthy sized portions of authentic Italian cuisine – I love their grilled calamari and any of their pasta dishes.
Piccolo Sogno – Delicious Italian food and amazing atmosphere. It has the best outdoor patio in the city and we order the antipasto appetizer every time. Previously mentioned Piccolo here.
Paramount Room – Craft beer, burgers and specialty cocktails. I like to grab a bite at the bar.
The Point – Grab a table outside in the sun and enjoy a great classic cocktail or beer from their long list.
694 Wine Bar – I love this spot, one of my favorites in the city! Delicious plates of meats and cheeses and an excellent wine selection. Go Wednesday night for BBQ night all year long!
Silver Palm – A railroad dining car turned restaurant and a great spot for dinner – or take a seat at one of the sidewalk tables.
Matchbox Bar – Very narrow, hip bar – could possibly be Chicago’s tiniest bar. Have a chat with one of the bartendars and a quirky cocktail. Can’t go wrong with a Manhattan – they marinate their own cherries in bourbon.
Big Shoulders Coffee – Grab your morning coffee and a fresh pastry. They’ve got wifi too if you need it.
Thalia Spice – an excellent little Thai cafe
Duran – It’s part of a small chain but the sandwiches are delicious and it’s BYOB
Windy City Cafe – a neighborhood gem and the very best breakfast sandwiches in the city! Family owned, lots of traditional breakfast and lunch options and their coffee comes from Big Shoulders.
The Dawson – a casual spot with three bars – upstairs, downstairs, outside – and an American menu that makes use of a wood-burning grill. This place just opened in the fall and is a great addition to the neighborhood!
exploring chicago
Marc and I have lived in Chicago for five years now and have really loved it here. Lately we’ve realized that no matter how big (or small) a place may seem or how well you think you know it, there is always more to see and do and learn. So we’ve been spending a lot of time lately seeking out the new and soaking up our old favorites.
We had coffee from Big Shoulders and breakfast sandwiches from Windy City Cafe. We spent an afternoon walking around the Chicago History Museum and had drinks at Matchbox. We tried checking out the new exhibit at the Chicago Cultural Center but it was closed so we went and saw Laura Berger’s mural instead. We went shopping on State Street and heard stories told at Powell’s North Bookstore. We had pies from Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder, tacos at Big Star and BBQ sandwiches from Smoke Daddy – everything lived up to the hype. We strolled around Wicker Park and Bucktown and stopped in some of my favorite shops – Brooklyn Industries and Stitch. There really are so many cool parts of this city, and I recommend checking out some of these places if you’re ever in Chicago.
photo credit kate zitzer
let’s eat and drink | chicago
I wrote about a few of my favorite Chicago restaurants in this post, but there’s more! Make sure to check them out if you’re ever in the city –
Takito Kitchen – excellent and super fresh Mexican food focusing on artisanal tacos. The space is industrial and modern with an open bar and kitchen. There’s a little outside patio too. A fun spot to go with a group – try the pork belly tacos, try ’em all!
Siena Tavern – excellent small plates and really delicious mixed specialty cocktails. They also have interesting salads and a pizza bar. If you go here, you have to try the squid ink linguini with grilled lobster tail and spicy lobster cream sauce, its heavenly!
Jam ‘n Honey – I loved this tiny spot. Ranks high on my list of favorite brunch and breakfast places in Chicago. Top notch coffee and the old fashioned French toast was delicious – made with brioche bread and served with honey butter.
Old 5th – a West Loop staple, affordable and laid back. Sit at one of the sidewalk tables with your pizza and whiskey – try one of their seven whiskey flights.
Cantina Laredo – modern Mexican dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere. A great spot for dinner in the heart of River North. The chicken tacos are my thing. Order the top shelf guacamole, it’s amazing and made fresh at your table.
Piccolo Sogno – fresh, seasonal rustic Italian cuisine and an amazing atmosphere. You can’t go wrong with the antipasto as an appetizer. If it’s a nice evening, sit outside – it has the best outdoor patio in the city! It’s a pretty fantastic date spot too.
Let me know if you try out any of these spots and fill me in on any of your favorite Chicago restaurants!
photo credit kate zitzer
let’s eat and drink | chicago
We’ve been soaking up summer in the city these past few weeks – riding bikes, shopping and trying new restaurants. It’s been really fun and it makes me feel like a tourist in my own town. So here’s a few notable Chicago spots – some new to us and some old favorites –
Antique Taco – this place is happening! I went with one of my girlfriends a few weeks ago for lunch and this place fills up quick. It has rustic decor, mismatched tables and chairs and a pretty hip vibe. There’s a lot of unique flavors so you won’t be disappointed with the taco selection and order the guac and chips to share.
The Bongo Room – people really rave about this place! We rode our bikes here two weeks ago. I got the croissant sandwich with melted muenster, crisp bacon and an over easy egg and house potatoes. If you have a sweet tooth, I recommend the white chocolate and caramel pretzel pancakes. There will probably be a long line but it’s well worth the wait.
Xoco – a Rick Bayless restaurant with delicious Mexican food and quick service. We got the Baja chicken tortas – garlic chicken, homemade chipotle mayo, radish slaw and black beans on top of warm crusty bread. We also had some of the best guacamole I’ve ever tasted!
Yolk – it’s a great place for brunch and they have a few locations in the city. I always order the bacon quesadilla wrap – smoked bacon, scrambled eggs and green onions rolled in white flatbread with cheddar and jack cheeses served with salsa, sour cream and red diced potatoes. I’ve also had my eye on the banana blue crunch cakes with granola and fresh blueberries topped with bananas and drizzled with honey.
Black Bull – a tapas bar and a great place to go with friends. There’s a little outdoor patio too and they sure don’t slack on presentation – the food is served on wood boards. There are dozens of options but we loved the croquetas and grilled prawns and the sangria!
Farmhouse – it’s a relatively new spot in our neighborhood. It has a great natural interior design and these pretty cool sunflower mobiles hanging over the bar. The food blew our minds. Marc had the half roasted amish chicken with fresh apricots, roasted onions and sweet pepper sauce and I had the fish and chips and as an appetizer we had the warm pretzel with spicy brown sugar mustard. Next time I am going to have to try the maple brined pork chop with collard greens and ham glaze.
Let me know if you try out any of these spots and fill me in on any of your favorite Chicago restaurants!
photo credit kate zitzer
