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1 / 10
Only Brendan Sodikoff would put Strawberry Jell-O Surprise on a River North salad bar. 354 W. Hubbard St., 312-888-9195 Website
Photo: Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune -
2 / 10
That’s three for Melman in the Belden-Stratford. But, hey, there’s still room in the lobby for a bar, a cart, a vending machine, something. Belden-Stratford, 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, 773-868-0002 Website
Photo: Jeff Marini -
3 / 10
The new West Loop fave for GNO. Critic’s Notes Despite being the oldest person in the room, I felt totally comfortable and welcome. I would come back in a heart beat for the grilled octopus. —Penny Pollack1140 W. Madison St., 312-243-2097 Website
Photo: Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune -
4 / 10
And you thought bakeries had peaked in Lake View. Critic’s Notes This place is a party. It’s awfully cute—lots of free samples, a few café tables, super friendly staff, and Lake View couples and families out in force. Arguably too much buttercream frosting on the cupcakes. Didn’t seem to be a deal breaker for anyone but me. —PP3243 N. Broadway, 773-868-4574 Website
Photo: Kris Andrae -
5 / 10
Too crowded? It says “Micro Bakery” right on the sign. 2928 N. Broadway Website
Photo: Phil Velasquez/Chicago Tribune -
6 / 10
Cured fishes and a schmear bar put Lake View on a roll—make that a bagel. Critic’s Notes I did hear some complaints about getting an open-faced bagel for $8 … the fish is really what you go for, though. Beautifully cured with really thoughtful, impeccably placed accompaniments. —Maggie Hennessy2819 N. Southport Ave., 773-899-4711 Website
Photo: E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune -
7 / 10
Back to basics, and no one’s complaining. Critic’s Notes There’s a lot to love here, but some of it gets spoiled by sidewalk smokers. —PP1510 E. Hintz Rd., Arlington Heights, 224-347-1010 Website
Photo: Jeff Marini -
8 / 10
A menu with more buzzwords—“seasonal,” “monthly,” “farmer,” “non-GMO”—than dumplings. Critic’s Notes Many of the organic-minded dumplings at Hyde Park’s earnest but misguided spot range from playful misfires (the “tamale” stuffed with slow-roasted chicken, coriander, cumin, and salsa roja) to cosmic calamities (the “corndog” stuffed with a farm-to-table hot dog, bun, and sauerkraut). But the soup dumplings are pretty good. —Jeff Ruby1321 E. 57th St., 312-219-6544 Website
Photo: Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune -
9 / 10
Skewered tidbits cooked over Kishu binchotan charcoal from Japan. In case you were wondering. 932 W. Algonquin Rd., Arlington Heights, 847-262-5914 Website
Photo: Nagle Photography -
10 / 10
A ’cue spot with Mexican flair. Queue up. 1967 N. Halsted St., 312-460-3200 Website
Photo: Neil Burger