What was the best thing you ate in a Chicago-area restaurant this year? We asked area chefs, restaurant owners and other food professionals that same question, and here is what they told us. Every year, several restaurants receive multiple nods, and this year, Smyth restaurant in Chicago is one of string of eateries that snagged raves from several people. From grab-and-go hand pies to lobster quenelles with black trumpet mushrooms, this year’s choices run the gamut of cuisine types, price levels and fanciness.
Jeff Shapiro
Owner, Real Urban Barbecue in Highland Park, Vernon Hills and Oak Brook
Best meal: Bone-in ribeye
Restaurant: Gene & Georgetti, 500 N. Franklin St., www.GeneAndGeorgetti.com
The skinny: With the red wine reduction, cooked medium, tastes like perfection with rich marbling, full flavor; paired with a nice glass of cab. Sometimes the most memorable meal truly is simple and classic.
Margarita Challenger
Executive Chef/Owner, Guanajuato in Glencoe
Best Meal: Milan pesto panini
Restaurant: Dolce Ristorante Italiano, 4204 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, www.Dolce-Caffe.com
The skinny: Best sandwich I’ve had all year. The flavor of the pesto is tremendous and combined with arugula, chicken and mozzarella on fresh ciabatta makes it perfect. It’s a small shop in an out-of-the-way shopping plaza but well worth the search.
Bolla Loza
Executive Chef, Tuscany in Wheeling
Best Meal: Short rib bolognese
Restaurant: RPM Italian,
52 W. Illinois St., Chicago, www.RPMRestaurants.com
The skinny: Very tender, tasty hand-cut pappardelle with bolognese that was not overwhelming the overall flavor with a little touch of rosemary. Perfect balance. Perfectly rich in flavor. Pappardelle was cooked to perfection.
Ellen King
Co-Owner/Head Baker, Hewn in Evanston
Best meal: Pork cheek tortellini
Restaurant: Monteverde, 1020 W. Madison St., Chicago, www.MonteverdeChicago.com
The skinny: It was a cold night and I didn’t feel like eating out — but as soon as I walked into Monteverde, I felt a sense of calm come over me. It could have been the amazing smells wafting in the air, or the fact that I could sit and watch my pasta being made, but I instantly felt at home. We ordered more than we should have and everything was amazing. If I had to pick one dish, it was the pork cheek tortellini. The broth was perfectly balanced and then the server added the Lambrusco and I entered a new realm of taste. The tortellini was perfection.
Eusevio Garcia
Chef, Mesa Urbana in Northbrook
Best meal: Beef skewers
Restaurant: Flight Wine Bar, 1820 Tower Road, Glenview, www.FlightWineBar.com
The skinny: Four tender beef skewers, with a pomegranate marinade — served with a veggie crunch salad. One of my favorite drinks there is the Moscow mule.
Rick Bayless
Chef/Owner, Frontera Grill, Topolobampo, Xoco, Lena Brava, Cruz Blanca, Fonda Frontera in Chicago
Best meal: Berkshire pork with kimchi
Restaurant: Oriole, 661 W. Walnut St., www.OrioleChicago.com
The skinny: Rich from luscious pork and tangy with kimchi, this dish just made us swoon. It was just one of several stunners at Oriole, which my wife, Deann, and I visited for our anniversary.
Mark Grosz
Chef/Owner, Oceanique in Evanston
Best meal: Caviar and toast
Restaurant: Cherry Circle Room, 12 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, www.LSdatcaa.com/cherry-circle-room
The skinny: Osetra caviar. Scrambled eggs with runny yolk. Traditional accompaniments. Luxurious, decadent and comforting all at the same time. If you really want to splurge, they will add white truffles, too.
Gale Gand
Pastry Chef/Partner, Tru, maker of Gale’s Root Beer
Best meal: Handmade empanadas
Restaurant: Cafe Tola, 3612 Southport, Chicago, www.CafeTola.com
The skinny: It’s a little hole-in-the-wall of a place handmaking empanadas all day long so they are hot when you order them from the pick-up counter. They have interesting beverages, too including horchata. Favorite flavors include chicken salsa verde, green spicy pork, steak and potato, egg, red spicy pork, spinach and ricotta, ropa vieja, shall I go on? It’s very affordable — $4 per empanada — so I suggest going with a friend who likes to share and taste.
Dewy Sepsirisook
Chef de Cuisine, NaKorn in Evanston
Best meal: Short ribs
Restaurant: Gather, 4539 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, www.GatherChicago.com
The skinny: My whole dining experience at Gather was wonderful from the first minute to the last. Everything is done right — from the foods to the drinks to the service. My short rib entree was perfectly executed — flavorful and tender — and beautifully plated. Everything on the plate worked together. This dish makes me want more.
Nicole Pederson
Chef/Partner, Found Kitchen and The Barn in Evanston
Best meal: Crispy spinach paneer and Kerala beef brisket congee
Restaurant: Bombay Breakdown “pop-up restaurant” at the Long Room, 1612 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, www.LongRoomChicago.com
The skinny: My boyfriend and I always go to this monthly pop-up at the Long Room, and we love it! There was one meal in the past summer that really sticks out: crispy paneer and Kerala beef brisket congee — wow, were we blown away. The paneer was such an unusual take on saag paneer: the spinach was laid out on a plate and torched till the edges where crisp, they fried the paneer like cheese curds and put them on top with fried onions, masala and flowers. The Kerala beef congee was creamy rice topped with crispy short rib, onions, pickled peppers and cilantro.
Nick Gangas
Managing Partner, Steak + Vine in La Grange
Best meal: Tasting menu, brioche doughnut with aged beef au jus
Restaurant: Smyth, 177 N. Ada St., www.SmythAndTheLoyalist.com
The skinny: I met wine collectors from around the country to pull some corks and enjoy the company. While the wine was outstanding, the food was truly amazing. The brioche doughnut with aged beef au jus was out of this world. The doughnut was cooked perfectly — very moist and light. Then the savory beefiness took it to another level.
Jimmy Bannos
Owner, Heaven on Seven in Chicago and Naperville
Best meal: Dover sole
The restaurant: Ocean Cut Chicago, 20 W. Kinzie St., Chicago, www.OceanCutChicago.com
The skinny: The flavor and texture of the Dover sole was superb. It was pan-roasted and served with brown butter and lemon. Perfectly balanced flavors and flawless preparation ... that brown butter sauce ... so good!
Sarah Grueneberg
Chef/Partner, Monteverde restaurant and Pastificio in Chicago
Best meal: Beet flatbread and other dishes
Restaurant: Somerset at the Viceroy Chicago, 1118 N. State St., Chicago, www.ViceroyHotelsAndResorts.com
The skinny: I love the beet flatbread that Chef Lee Wolen is offering at Somerset. The flatbread is tender, warm and delicious and is perfect for the smokiness of the beets and the creamy smoked gouda. The dish is delicious. The duck and venison dishes were standouts too as well as the vegetable flatbread, which was hot, cheesy, crispy and tender — everything you want in a flatbread.
Richard Meierdirks
Executive Chef, McGonigal’s Pub in Barrington
Best meal: Okonomiyaki
Restaurant: Little Goat Diner, 20 W. Randolph St., Chicago, www.LittleGoatChicago.com
The skinny: Pork belly served over a Napa cabbage pancake and over-easy egg with unagi soy glaze and bonito flakes. Every time I eat at one of Stephanie Izard’s restaurants is a revelation. I still tell people about the ‘pig face’ at Girl and The Goat, and I have on my bucket list to recreate the foie gras creme brulee at Scylla, her first restaurant before ‘Top Chef.’
Debbie and Carlos Nieto
Co-Owners, The Happ Inn Bar and Grill in Northfield and Cafe Central in Highland Park
Best meal: Pheasant
Restaurant: Everest, 440 S. LaSalle St., 40th Floor, Chicago, www.EverestRestaurant.com
The skinny: Omg. Spectacular! Without question, the finest meal. The entire meal was perfection — from beginning to end. Amazing! The quality of food and service was impeccable. The pheasant entree was very creative and was beyond delicious! Fine dining should definitely make a return sooner rather than later. This style of dining is still alive at Everest. Can’t wait to return!
Michael Elliott
Chef, Hearth Restaurant in Evanston
Best meal: Tomato salad with peaches and stracciatella
Restaurant: Gather, 4539 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, www.GatherChicago.com
The skinny: I took one of my cooks to a meal at one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants. The tomato salad with peaches and stracciatella was the first thing they dropped on the table of an awesome meal. It was that time of year when local peaches and tomatoes are at their most perfect. They were simply sliced and dressed, and served with really amazingly creamy stracciatella, which is essentially all the things you love about burrata without the outer shell of holding it in. They then paired a little black sesame with it just for a little bit of that nuttiness and texture. It was quintessential summer food. Real classic food, done really well, with a small twist, and a respect for the ingredients and farmers’ work that went in to it. Exactly what you want from summer produce.
Bret Bohning
Executive Chef, Fourteensixteen in La Grange
Best meal: Fried chicken and churro waffles
Restaurant: MAD Social, 1140 W. Madison St., Chicago, www.MADSocialChicago.com
The skinny: Rarely when I order waffles is the actual waffle a secondary component, but in this case, the fried chicken is what blew me away. Flaky, buttery chicken thighs double-dredged and lightly fried. Add to that the fact that the waffles have a churro-style batter to them, and then this dish becomes a no-brainer for brunch. There’s also nothing wrong with drenching the entire thing in Vermont maple syrup. I call that nirvana.
Giuseppe Tentori
Executive Chef/Partner, GT Prime, GT Fish & Oyster in Chicago
Best meal: Dungeness crab and foie gras with scrambled kani miso
Restaurant: Smyth, 177 N. Ada St., www.SmythAndTheLoyalist.com
The Skinny: The Dungeness crab and foie gras with scrambled kani miso is interesting because of the many layers of crab flavor and texture. The kani miso of tamale, roe and egg is really good. The salt-poached foie gras is silky and almost takes the place of drawn butter that is traditionally served with steamed crabs. Kelp chips add another layer of texture and give the dish a balanced bit of brininess.
Stephanie Izard
Executive Chef/Partner, Girl & the Goat, Little Goat, Duck Duck Goat in Chicago
Best meal: Avocado salad with Brussels sprouts, tomatillo, Cotija and quinoa
Restaurant: Quiote, 2456 N. California Ave., Chicago, www.QuioteChicago.com
The skinny: I just really loved this dish when dining at Quiote — the texture and crunch — so delicious!
Michael Lachowicz
Chef/Proprietor, George Trois and Restaurant Michael in Winnetka
Best meal: Cheese course (11-course tasting menu)
Restaurant: Schwa, 466 N. Ashland Ave., Chicago, www.SchwaRestaurant.com
The skinny: I took two members of our staff — Sergio Angel and Alfredo Gonzalez — for dinner as a thank you and to celebrate our four-star review of George Trois by (Chicago Tribune restaurant critic) Phil Vettel in late May 2017. I had never been to Schwa and had only heard great things about Chef Michael’s cuisine. He did not disappoint. The cheese course was a Morbier cheesecake with a sweet graham cracker crust. It was the perfect balance of sweet and savory and they even re-created the classic signature layer of ash between layers of the Morbier cheese mousse. Delicious and clever, but not cute to the point of sacrificing the integrity of the course. Spot on! Course after course delivered cutting-edge, beautiful and delicious dishes.
Vince Di Battista
Chef, Campagnola and Union Pizzeria in Evanston
Best meal: Beef Wellington for two
Restaurant: Swift and Sons, 1000 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, www.SwiftAndSonsChicago.com
The skinny: My favorite meal was my birthday meal in June at Swift and Sons, and the star of the meal was the beef Wellington for two – lovely, old-school preparation that you don’t see often anymore. Beef tenderloin baked inside of puff pastry with foie gras spinach and mushroom. It is carved and plated table side with Bordelaise sauce poured over it. We had the Caesar salad and burrata and tomato salad as well. A martini from the bar and it makes for a contemporary spin on a vintage-inspired steakhouse.”
Sean Hofherr
Master Butcher/Owner of Hofherr Meat Co. in Northfield
Best meal: Collaboration dinner by Trevor Teich (Claudia) and Jake Bickelhaupt
Restaurant: Claudia Restaurant, 327 N. Bell Ave., Chicago, www.ClaudiaRestaurant.com; Jake Bickelhaupt, www.KonroChicago.com
The skinny: Everything from the setting (a small intimate dining space located in an industrial area in West Town), to the food (a 13-course tasting menu consisting of amazing ingredients celebrating the peak of summer (sweet pea panna cotta, heirloom tomato gelee) to the more exotic (tuna belly tartare with snail eggs, and tonburi, which is referred to as ‘land caviar’) — every time the chefs would introduce a dish, my jaw would hit the floor, and that was before I had even dug in. I have helped work the line with Chef Teich at a number of his pop-ups and he extended a personal invitation to my fiancee to celebrate our engagement. The entire experience blew my mind. Nothing I ate in 2017 even comes close.
James Capannari
Owner, Capannari Ice Cream and Catering in Mount Prospect
Best Meal: Duck fried rice, char siu bao (steamed barbecue pork buns)
Restaurant: Duck Duck Goat, 857 W. Fulton Market, Chicago, www.DuckDuckGoatChicago.com
The Skinny: First time there and picked these two by chance. They were so good. It was a tie — they were that good. The fried rice was just awesome; it had a real smokiness to it and the small duck eggs and duck were perfectly cooked. The steamed barbecued pork buns were just the most unbelievable little light pillows of deliciousness you will ever eat. We ended up ordering more of both. Just a night out with friends I hadn’t been out with in a long time. Lots of fun, highly recommend.
John Hogan
Executive Chef, River Roast in Chicago
Best meal: Bo la lot, chopped clams
Restaurant: HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen,1800 S. Carpenter St., Chicago, www.HaiSous.com
The skinny: Bo la lot is the first Vietnamese dish I ever tasted, and (I) was instantly a fan. Savory betel leaf wrapped around a simple yet tasty beef sausage and then charcoal-grilled — the charcoal grill adds a very deep flavor to the leaves — and finished off with a complex dipping sauce. Another dish that shows Thai (Dang)’s hand with subtle yet cunning flavors is a dish of chopped clams with Thai basil — no, they did not name this herb after chef — lime juice, peanuts, crispy rice and sesame crackers. To me this dish is a perfect example of Thai’s deft touch with the flavors and textures of the cooking of his homeland — simple, adept and saporous.
Don Newcomb
Founder, Chicago Gourmets’ Food and Wine Society in Chicago
Best meal: Sauteed Hudson Valley foie gras with clementine puree, peach espuma and caramel puree
Restaurant: Les Nomades, 222 E. Ontario, Chicago, www.LesNomades.net
The skinny: Loved the crispy yet juicy texture and taste – sauteed to perfection. I love celebrating at Les Nomades – one of my favorite restaurants in the world. ... My favorite dish here is the sauteed Hudson Valley foie gras with clementine puree, peach espuma and caramel puree. Chef Liccioni does this dish to perfection.
Tony Castillo
Chef/Owner, Longitud315 and El Santuario del Chef in Highwood
Best meal: Duck egg fettuccine
Restaurant: TWO, 1132 W. Grand Ave., Chicago, www.113Two.com
The skinny: Just by the aromas, this dish took me back decades into my grandma’s kitchen — so delicious! Homemade noodles with duck meat and the juices from it topped with the most delicate, flavorful piece of duck chicharron on top – mouthwatering and finger-licking dish.
Lee Wolen
Executive Chef/Partner, Boka, Somerset in Chicago
Best meal: Milk chocolate with huckleberry and preserved shiitake mushroom
Restaurant: Smyth, 177 N. Ada St., www.SmythAndTheLoyalist.com
The skinny: The milk chocolate with huckleberry and preserved shiitake mushroom was the best thing I ate all year — delicious! It was a perfectly balanced bite and I loved the unexpected flavor combinations.
Sunil Kumar
Executive Chef, Marigold Maison in Lincolnshire
Best meal: Saag paneer
Restaurant: Punjabi Dhaba, 2525 W. Devon Ave., Chicago, www.PunjabiDhabhaChicago.com
The skinny: My grandma use to cook it for us. Light green sauce with Indian cheese. Whenever I eat saag paneer, it takes me right back to Punjab, India. I had the saag paneer at Punjabi Dhaba this year for Diwali. I have lot memories of saag paneer from my early childhood. I remember going out to the farm with my grandma to pick fresh spinach, fenugreek and mustard greens. She would then wash it and cook for, what seemed to me, for hours. Bright and smooth flavors of spinach and mustard greens with almost smoky notes of fenugreek, with a light spice and creamy — melt in-your-mouth — paneer.
Robert Burcenski
Chef/Co-Owner, Tallgrass Restaurant in Lockport
Best Meal: Lobster quenelles, black trumpet mushrooms, Swiss chard, sauce Americaine; artichoke and foie gras salade
Restaurant: Margeaux Brasserie, Waldorf Astoria, 11 E. Walton St., Chicago, www.michaelmina.net
The skinny: The quenelles are light and flavorful with contrasting textures of mushrooms and vegetable. It is a historic dish with a contemporary flair. The stand-out part of the dish is the sauce Americaine, which has a bold lobster taste that makes evident the time put into it. The artichoke and foie gras salade is definitely worth mentioning and is another item that you will not find elsewhere.
Jamie Alvarez
Chef/Owner, Cuba 312 in Chicago and Taste of Cuba Cafe in Lincolnwood
Best Meal: Langostinos
Restaurant: La Costa Mariscos, 3119 N. Central Ave, Chicago, www.LaCostaChicago.com
The Skinny: This is now my go-to comfort dish when I need to indulge. Langostinos are often referred to as ‘squat lobster’ but are in fact closely related to the hermit and porcelain crabs. However, the taste and texture mirrors a marriage between lobster and shrimp. Langostinos are prevalent on many Latin menus but at La Costa it’s the killer sauce that seals the deal. They saute the halved langostinos in this buttery hot sauce that is just the right hint of spice. The secret house seasonings, spice from the chiles, and the butter flavor provides a salty heat that is so addictive I literally use any edible item in arms reach to soak up the delicious sauce. I first had this dish while I was pregnant and needless to say everyone at the table understood ‘hands off the langostinos!’
Betsy Mikelson
Chef/Owner, The Flower Flat in Chicago
Best Meal: Breakfast Tacos with Scrambled Eggs, Pico de Gallo and Potatoes
Restaurant: Cafe Tola, 3324 N. California Ave., Chicago, www.CafeTola.com
The Skinny: Cafe Tola is one of my favorite places. It is such a cute little place. The outside is painted with super-cool murals of E.T., Yoda, Frida and more. Inside, there is a neat collection of toys and memorabilia, colorful cushions and communal seating. I must order the cafe con leche every time I go. The breakfast tacos with scrambled eggs, pico de gallo, and potatoes are a perfect way to start the day. Their specialty daily empanadas are delicious. My favorites are Cuban braised beef and potato, and the spinach and potato. The staff is also very nice. I’m always a happy person after eating there.
Corey Grupe
Executive Chef, O’Toole’s Pub Group in Chicago, Gurnee and Libertyville
Best Meal: Ceviche trio and mezcal margarita
Restaurant: Frontera Grill, 445 N. Clark St., Chicago, www.RickBayless.com/Restaurants/Frontera-Grill
The Skinny: It was the 15th wedding anniversary of me and my wife, Sara. We were with our friends Krystal and Erik celebrating and dining on the patio. The crisp citrus flavors and nice heat worked really well with smokiness of the cocktail. It immediately reminded me of being in Cabo.
Paul Virant
Executive Chef/Owner, Vie Restaurant in Western Springs and Vistro in Hinsdale
Best Meal: Crispy Pork Belly Dish
Restaurant: Cindy’s Rooftop, 12 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, www.cindysrooftop.com
The Skinny: The dish had an Asian twist to it with pickled snow peas and fermented turnips with fried rice and a soy vin. It was really balanced and executed really well; the acidity helped cut the fatty, rich, crispy belly. I didn’t eat as much as I wanted, because my kids got after it.
Dan Smith
Co-Chef/Co-Owner, The Hearty Boys Caterers in Chicago
Best Meal: Beijing duck
Restaurant: Sun Wah, 5039 N. Broadway, Chicago, www.SunWahBBQ.com
The Skinny: We’ve recently moved to the North Shore and are eating up here more frequently than in the city, but when we meet friends for a celebration in Chicago, Sun Wah is one of our go-to spots. We frequently share foods and swap plates and the duck is a perfect group option. It’s carved tableside and served with pickled daikon and julienned veggies and perfectly soft and warm bao buns. My nephew just moved to Chicago from Florida and it was one of the first spots we brought him to in order to convince him it was worth giving up the year-long warm weather.
Jim Mullen
Founder, Mullen’s Applesauce
Best Meal: Breaded Pork Tenderloin – with Mullen’s (his own) Applesauce
Restaurant: L. Woods Tap & Pine Lodge, 7110 Lincoln Ave., Lincolnwood, www.LWoodsRestaurant.com
The Skinny: My applesauce is on the menu and the Breaded Pork Tenderloin with it is absolutely fabulous.
John Durning
Chef/Owner, Pizzeria DeVille in Libertyville
Best Meal: Carnitas en mole and chicken milanese
Restaurant: 5 Rabanitos, 1758 W. 18th St., Chicago, www.5RabanitosDotCom.Wordpress.com
The Skinny: I love great Mexican food and 5 Rabanitos was authentic, delicious, perfectly executed. We were surrounded by a diverse, friendly crowd. Busy but worth the wait.
Maryann Slavin
Pastry Chef/Owner, Maryann’s Sweet Treats and Edible Art in Highwood
Best Meal: Italian beef and mushroom pizza
Restaurant: Alex’s Washington Gardens, 256 Green Bay Road, Highwood, www.AlexsWashingtonGardensPizza.com
The Skinny: My favorite pizza is the Beef and Mushroom Pizza. I love it because it reminds me of the best Chicago-style pizza I grew up with. My father, besides being a caterer, was very picky on great pizza, and this he would have loved. Best comfort food.
Bob Piron
Co-Owner/President/Chocolatier, Belgian Chocolatier Piron in Evanston
Best Meal: Giambotta
Restaurant: Gusto Italiano Restaurant, 1834 Glenview Road, Glenview, www.GustoRestaurant.com
The Skinny: This is my favorite Italian meal. I like pasta but not crazy for it. I still like my Northern European potatoes. This dish offers me my potatoes with a nice, mild Italian sausage and chicken sauteed in a delicate wine and tomato sauce. Very flavorful but not overpowering. The best of all worlds. We’ve been going to Gusto for 20-plus years. It’s our go-to restaurant for special occasion dinners or if we just want a nice Italian meal.
John Coletta
Founding Chef/Partner, Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar in Chicago
Best meal: Short rib beignets
Restaurant: Boeufhaus, 1012 N. Western Ave. Chicago, www.Boeufhaus.com
The skinny: This approachable yet intriguing preparation is highly inventive, flawlessly executed and intensely flavorful! I applaud the chef and his team for their focused efforts. A familiar preparation is elevated to an extraordinary gastronomic experience, setting the stage for a memorable wine and food gathering. This preparation deserves some serious consideration when dining at this spectacular restaurant.
Jonathan Fox
Chef/Proprietor, Firecakes Donuts in Chicago and Oak Park
Best Meal: Local greens salad, celery root soup, dumplings and slow-roasted pork belly
Restaurant: Cellar Door Provisions, 3025 W. Diversey Ave., Chicago, www.CellarDoorProvisions.com
The Skinny: About a month ago we had an amazing local greens salad, celery root soup, a dumpling dish and a slow-roasted pork belly entree. Simple dining room, great attention to detail with service, creativity and an impeccably prepared meal.
Veronica Hinke is a freelance reporter.
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