Smoked turkey sandwich on a tomato focaccia bun from City
Provisions Deli
City Provisions’ smoked turkey sandwich on a tomato focaccia bun

 

GIRL & THE GOAT On the wildly popular menu: pig face, pork ragout, pork liver, pork belly, pork sausage, pork cheeks. Who’s gonna tell the goat? 809 W. Randolph St.; 312-492-6262. Read our review »

DAVANTI ENOTECA Scott Harris strikes again: Little Italy hasn’t seen this much action since he opened Francesca’s there in 1995. 1359 W. Taylor St.; 312-226-5550

HENRI“Form follows function,” said the architect Louis Henri Sullivan, this French gem’s namesake. More important, bouillabaisse follows foie gras. 18 S. Michigan Ave.; 312-578-0763

LILLIE’S Q The business cards at this ’cue spot say “For internal use. Ingest daily.” If only life were that simple. 1856 W. North Ave.; 773-772-5500

VINCENT It’s Dutch. Like Van Gogh. Get it? Everyone in Andersonville got it right away. 1475 W. Balmoral Ave.; 773-334-7168

CITY PROVISIONS A Ravenswood deli that’s certified green and butchers its own meat? You had us at “Ravenswood deli.” 1818 W. Wilson Ave.; 773-293-2489. Read about CPD’s sustainability efforts »

NAF NAF GRILL You know business is pretty good when you leave your tight quarters in an old Taco Bell and reopen in a “lifestyle center.” 1739 Freedom Dr., Ste. 109, Naperville; 630-904-7200

CHIZAKAYA This Lake View flirt gets tons of attention for being a sushi-free zone. 3056 N. Lincoln Ave.; 773-697-4725

CHICAGO Q Gold Coasters finally have a rib joint to call their own—except it’s a pretty fancy restaurant. 1160 N. Dearborn St.; 312-642-1160

THE KINDERHOOK TAP This offbeat corner spot (a President Van Buren theme? Really?) feels like Archie Bunker’s Place meets Cheers and both of those bars were around forever. 800 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park; 708-434-0373

 

Photograph: Anna Knott