Recent restaurant reviews and profiles from Tribune food critic Phil Vettel, Tribune Newspapers staff reporters and freelance writers. No stars indicates a restaurant has been profiled but not reviewed, and does not reflect on quality of dining.

BC Osaka This Asian buffet stands out from competitors in every way. Food is served on pretty white ceramic platters from a dark wood buffet complete with intricate carved cork art. On offer: Chinese, American and Japanese cuisine, including a soup buffet and beef, chicken, shrimp and veggies prepared on a hibachi grill. Or, nix the buffet for seating around the hibachi for a show of chopping, slicing and flipping before you eat. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Buffet $10-$15, with discounts for children; hibachi menu $22-$38. 2999 E. Lincoln Highway, Merrillville, IN, 219-947-9888. — Heather Augustyn

Black Oak Restaurant and Tavern The moniker of one of Oak Lawn's newest establishments comes from the earliest-known name for what became the village: Black Oak Grove. Breakfast is served daily but goes a step beyond traditional — instead of corned beef hash, for example, try burnt brisket ends with green peppers, onions and potatoes. The menu also offers sandwiches, burgers and five daily entree specials, plus house wine. Open: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Prices: $4.95 and up. 9630 S. Pulaski Road, Oak Lawn, 708-572-4500. — Jessi Virtusio

Elwood Alehouse The menu at this neighborhood bar and restaurant highlights sandwiches, grass-fed burgers and hand-cut fries. Ask about off-menu items, including braised short ribs, chicken marsala, chicken Vesuvio, jambalaya and meatloaf. The warm, friendly space seats about 50.Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Entrees $8-$12. 6 Elwood St., Frankfort, 779-324-5589. — J.V.

Embers Tap House The historic Volz Building in downtown Lockport has been completely remodeled for this 5,000-square-foot restaurant with wood floors and original brick walls, a second-floor banquet room and rooftop patio overlooking the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The menu of modern American food, with a focus on organic and locally sourced ingredients, comes from executive chef Mike Hernandez, formerly of downtown Chicago's swanky rooftop steakhouse Zed451. Try fare including a 12-ounce bone-in pork chop, calamari with homemade giardiniera and wings with vanilla bean porter sauce, plus salads, sandwiches and flatbreads with daily specials from the smoker. A kids' menu has five choices for $5 including a drink. On 40 taps, find selections from local craft breweries Pollyanna, Lagunitas, Two Brothers and Revolution. Open: Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Prices: Entrees $8-$18. 933 S. State St., Lockport, 815-552-3031. — Vickie Jurkowski

Enrico's When Enrico's Italian Dining closed in 2012, some were skeptical about the Frankfort staple reopening in a new location. Fast-forward approximately four years to the Vineyards of Frankfort shopping center, where the restaurant has found a lovely new home. The new Enrico's is rooted in the original, which the owner's late father, Harry D'Ercole Sr., opened in 1974. One favorite: baked mostaccioli served with a rich meat sauce, a family recipe developed in 1958. Open: Late lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday. Prices: Entrees $11-$15. 20535 S. LaGrange Road, Frankfort, 815-469-4187.

— J.V.

Fat Rosie's Taco and Tequila Bar Fat Rosie's delivers Mexican eats in a lively atmosphere. Drink margaritas alongside favorites like enchiladas, cochinitia pibil (roasted pork shoulder) and more. On Sundays, a Bloody Maria bar — the drink is made with tequila instead of vodka — features 30 condiments. Open: Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday, brunch and dinner Sunday. Prices: Tacos $4-$5; entrees $12-$24. 28 Kansas St., Frankfort, 815-534-1640 — J.V.

Harvest Room Chef Jonathan Harootunian manages a nifty balancing act at this eco-conscious south suburban restaurant, presenting cutting-edge dishes with dashes of molecular gastronomy (sweet-pea risotto with yuzu shrimp and a sphere of liquid lemon) as well as comforting pappardelle pasta with bison sugo, and a first-rate hamburger. The ambitious beverage program includes very good craft cocktails, a deep wine list and specialty teas. Open: Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Entrees $13-$35. 7164 W. 127th St., Palos Heights, 708-671-8905. — Phil Vettel

Miller's Ale House This casual, family-friendly restaurant and bar is great if you want to walk in and watch the game. The Florida-based nationwide chain opened in the Chicago Ridge Mall spot formerly occupied by Tilted Kilt. The menu is heavy on grilled items; expect steaks, seafood and more, such as the quarter-pound full rack of baby back ribs served on Mondays, or the 12-ounce prime rib on Thursdays. Open: Lunch, dinner and late-night daily. Prices: Entrees $8-$12. 6401 W. 95th St., Chicago Ridge. — J.V.

Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes Tasting the food at another location of Mooyah Burgers, Fries & Shakes inspired Oak Lawn native Kal Mohamed to invest in bringing the international chain to the Southland. “I instantly got a gut feeling this is something Chicago will definitely appreciate,” Mohamed says. The fast-casual restaurant offers never-frozen American beef patties, turkey burgers and black-bean veggie burgers on white or wheat buns baked in-house, with the gluten-free option to sub in a lettuce wrap instead. On the side: regular or sweet potato fries and milkshakes. Open: Lunch and dinner daily. Prices: Burgers $5 and up. 6256 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn, 708-907-5571. — J.V.

Skillets Walk into Skillets, and you'll see customers greeting owner Carol Kirincic as if they were old friends. It's likely because they actually are; the co-owner of longtime favorite Michael's, on 45th Avenue, and her husband had sold the place in 2013 and were just getting comfortable with retirement when the new owners couldn't keep up. Not wanting to see their 28-year legacy disappear, the two got back in the game and reopened as Skillets, with shorter hours but an expanded menu. Hits include a tequila lime chicken sandwich, served on a pretzel bun, and fluffy, simple cinnamon French toast. Open: Breakfast and lunch daily. Prices: Entrees $5-$9. 2040 45th Ave., Highland, Ind., 219-924-7604. — Michelle L. Quinn

The Vegan Cafe In downtown Lockport, this casual cafe is known for serving organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and raw foods such as flatbreads, pasta with vodka sauce, sloppy Joes, burgers and turtle brownies. Open: Lunch and dinner Monday-Saturday. Prices: $8-$16. 928 S. State St., Lockport, 815-838-4626. — V.J.