See the Hot List for previous months here.
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1 / 10
What:At $220 per person, the city’s spendiest omakase
Why:Otto Phan wants three Michelin stars, and he’s willing to bring in a rice variety never before seen in the U.S. to do it.Where:2507 W. Armitage Ave., Logan Square Website
Photo: Courtesy of Kyōten -
2 / 10
What:It’s a club! It’s a restaurant! It’s … a clubstaurant!
Why:This NYC nightlife import is the place to see and be seen and eat skewers, ideally near a Kardashian.Where:632 N. Dearborn St., River North Website
Photo: Courtesy of TAO Group -
3 / 10
What:Michael Carlson’s idiosyncratic icon
Why:Dial-a-phobes, rejoice! After years of taking only phone reservations, this notoriously hard-to-get-into spot now lets you book tables online.
Read more about this Bucktown spot, which made this year’s 50 Best Restaurants list.Where:1466 N. Ashland Ave., Bucktown Website
Photo: Anna Knott -
4 / 10
What:Detroit-style pizza near the Friendly Confines
Why:The thick-crusted pie is sturdy enough to stand up to all the stadium beers you plan to drink.Where:3473 N. Clark St., Lake View Website
Photo: Robin Subar -
5 / 10
What:It’s Starbucks for Italian food
Why:Since it’s owned by the coffee megacorp, there’s espresso. But there’s also fresh bread, salads, and, at the full bar, aperitivos.Where:1000 W. Randolph St., West Loop Website
Photo: Matt Glac -
6 / 10
What:A place where bird’s the word
Why:Zoe Schor’s decision to reconcept her modern Midwestern spot into a Southern fried chicken joint is a big clucking deal.Where:2500 W. Chicago Ave., West Town Website
Photo: Tim McCoy -
7 / 10
What:A Wisconsin-inspired dining den, but in the United Center
Why:Feast on fried walleye while watching the Bulls game on one of six large screens.Where:1901 W. Madison St., Near West Side Website
Photo: Courtesy of United Center -
8 / 10
What:The Gold Coast’s only spot with martinis by the pitcher
Why:Everything you want in a neighborhood place for the well-heeled, right down to the hamachi crudoWhere:912 N. State St., Gold Coast Website
Photo: Neil Burger -
9 / 10
What:A more formal sushi experience from the Wasabi crew
Why:Two omakase restaurants in one Hot List — welcome to Omakase Overload.Where:819 W. Fulton Market, West Loop Website
Photo: Courtesy of Omakase Takeya -
10 / 10
What:A punk-chic faux dive in River North
Why:The neighborhood needed a little edge and a really good burger.
Browse photos of this River North bar.Where:226 W. Chicago Ave., River North Website
Photo: Richard Shilkus