Ad Categories: Food and Wine

Dessert hasn’t been a strong suit @ Francsco’s Hole in the Wall—until this chocolate-peanut butter stack came along. FRANCESCO'S HOLE IN THE WALL: 254 SKOKIE, NORTHBROOK; 847-272-0155

The antipasto salad @ Francsco’s Hole in the Wall never lets me down. FRANCESCO'S HOLE IN THE WALL: 254 SKOKIE, NORTHBROOK; 847-272-0155

@pennypollack: I let master shmoozer, Frank Gallo, talk me into fresh branzino in lemon butter sauce @ Francesco’s Hole in the Wall. FRANCESCO'S HOLE IN THE WALL: 254 SKOKIE, NORTHBROOK; 847-272-0155

The hot-fudge sundae at @ Grange Hall Burger Bar looked a mess. Didn’t stop anyone from digging in. GRANGE HALL BURGER BAR: 844 N RANDOLPH; 312-491-0844

Sure, I liked the Old-Fashioned chips and dip @ Grange Hall Burger Bar. Not salty, not greasy. But not cheap, either. GRANGE HALL BURGER BAR: 844 N RANDOLPH; 312-491-0844

@pennypollack: In the Year of Comfort Food, you could do a lot worse than a beef burger & a side of rings @ Grange Hall Burger Bar. GRANGE HALL BURGER BAR: 844 N RANDOLPH; 312-491-0844

Eduardos Enoteca is this generation’s Edwardo’s & there’s no stuffed pizza in sight. The Margherita? Nice topping, generic crust. EDUARDOS ENOTECA: 1212 N DEARBORN; 312-337-4490

The caesar salad @ Eduardos Enoteca has all the right stuff, but too much of something—maybe lemon? EDUARDOS ENOTECA: 1212 N DEARBORN; 312-337-4490

@pennypollack: I added shrimp to the limone e pepe nero spaghetti @ Eduardos Enoteca—a good move—but wished for less rosemary. EDUARDOS ENOTECA: 1212 N DEARBORN; 312-337-4490  

Rice pudding on the pudding flight @heartyboys: Uninspired. Caramelized banana was better. Chocolate better yet. But when I dipped the banana into the chocolate, life was good. HEARTY: 3819 N BROADWAY; 773-868-9866