Click the thumbnails below to launch the gallery.
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2 / 10
A10 With one cool Euro-bistro, Matthias Merges (Yusho) turned Hyde Park into a foodie destination. 1462 E. 53rd St., 773-288-1010
Photo: Courtesy of A10 -
3 / 10
TANTA Every trend has its day: Step right up to the seviche bar. 118 W. Grand Ave., 312-222-9700
Photo: Anjali M. Pinto -
4 / 10
SUMMER HOUSE SANTA MONICA Hey, Lettuce, since this worked out so well, how about Winter House Chicago in SoCal? 1954 N. Halsted St., 773-634-4100
Related: Read more about Summer House Santa Monica here.
Photo: Anjali M. Pinto -
5 / 10
AZZURRA It’s impossible to tell whether Wicker Parkers are more in love with the Italian food or the Victrola horn light fixtures. 1467 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-278-5959
Related: Read our dining critic’s first impressions of Azzurra on our photo blog, What Penny Eats.
Photo: Kaitlyn McQuaid -
6 / 10
THE DAWSON If you aren’t with a date when you walk in, hop on a barstool and order the spring rolls. They are meant to be interactive. 730 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-8955
Related: Find out what the Dawson has to offer here.
Photo: Patrick Fahrner Photography -
7 / 10
OLD CROW SMOKEHOUSE Where 500 happy ’cuesters chow down on Japanese robata, Korean kalbi, and smoked baby back ribs while listening to country music. 3506 N. Clark St., 773-537-4452
Photo: Craig Isbell, BitCrafter Media Corporation -
8 / 10
PUEBLA Fans of Michael Tsonton (Copperblue) wasted no time in tracking him to the western burbs. 51 S. First St., St. Charles, 630-945-3408
Photo: Eric Kleinberg Photography -
9 / 10
HONEY BUTTER FRIED CHICKEN KFC may boast more than 17,000 stores in more than 115 countries, but no more ardent fans than singular HBFC. 3361 N. Elston Ave., 773-478-4000
Related: Find out more about Honey Butter Fried Chicken here.
Photo: Courtesy of Honey Butter Fried Chicken -
10 / 10
BARBAKOA In the fullness of time, Jerry Kleiner (Carnivale, Gioco, etc.) and Dudley Nieto (Zocalo, Adobo Grill, etc.) met and joined forces over modern Latin fare. 1341 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove, 630-852-2333
Photo: Courtesy of Barbakoa