Great New Restaurant Finds in Chicago | Classic Chicago Magazine

By Bob Glaze

Between my many recent trips this year, I have made it a point to get out and try the new and recommended restaurants here in Chicago. Here is a list of my favorite new spots since my last report last March.

Located in Bucktown is a wonderful new neighborhood gem, TÁMA, which opened in March 2024. Their goal is to bring “people together with shareable plates in a casual modern bistro with a union of Mediterranean, Asian, and South American traditions.” According to Eater Chicago.com, Chef Avgeria Stapaki “began her career at celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant in Athens.” It is a charming two- level space, with a lovely staff and wonderful food. There is also a small outdoor patio in front. I found the small menu to be reasonably priced. I loved trying the grilled octopus with mashed potatoes, the mussels in a saffron broth with grilled sourdough and the best namelaka dessert, which is a chocolate ganache topped with hazelnuts and a raspberry/strawberry sauce. My friend and I shared the starter and dessert, and she loved the beef loin skewers with shaved black truffles. I look forward to going back again. 1952 N. Damen Ave.

TÁMA

One of my favorite neighborhood spots in Lincoln Square was Cafe Selmarie at 4729 N. Lincoln Ave. The owners decided after forty years to retire and to close the restaurant in April 2024. Andrew Pillman took it over and opened his new restaurant, Willow Café and Bistro. They have a breakfast and lunch menu as well as a brunch menu on the weekends. There is also a bakery and coffee shop in addition to the dining room.

I went in August 2024 for Sunday brunch and found out that many of the servers and kitchen staff stayed and joined the new staff. I liked the upgrade and remodel of the interior space and the lovely outdoor patio. I thought that the smoked salmon, tomato and spinach eggs benedict along with breakfast potatoes was the perfect choice. My server was also excellent. I am so glad that I chose to come back.

Willow Café and Bistro

After driving by this new small Greek cafe many times, I made a point to stop in after it was recommended by a friend. Yaya Mas Greek Kuzina, meaning our grandma, is a small restaurant at the corner of Sheffield, Willow and Clybourn in Lincoln Park. They have a menu of Greek coffee drinks, pastries, pies and other traditional dishes. 100% are made from Greek ingredients sourced directly from local producers in Greece. I enjoyed a latte and a tasty baklava for an afternoon snack. I look forward to going back and trying one of their other dishes. The owner and his staff, both from Greece, were very friendly. They have indoor as well as outdoor seating on the side of the building. 1755 N. Sheffield.

Yaya Mas Greek Kuzina

Also, in Lincoln Park is Briny Swine Smokehouse & Oyster Bar. Opened in June 2024, this is a seaside-inspired smokehouse and oyster bar featuring Carolina-style barbeque, seafood from the Carolina coast and Lowcountry favorites. They also have a full menu of wine, whiskey, beer and cocktails plus live music on the Briny stage. This is the second location the restaurant based in Edisto Island, SC.

They have a full menu of seafood, meats and sides. I went with friends and recommend that you share as many of the dishes as you can in order to try as many as possible. We loved sharing the Jimmy red corn bread with sorghum butter, the fried green tomatoes with chow chow (a Southern cold pickle relish), pimento cheese and bacon jam along with season four berry cobbler served with vanilla ice cream. I also loved the
friend oyster roll sandwich served with coleslaw and Carolina BBQ sauce. The old fashioned cocktail was the perfect addition. It has a casual atmosphere and is popular with a younger neighborhood crowd. 2577 N. Clark St.

Briny Swine Smokehouse & Oyster Bar

Located in Avondale is Anelya at 3472 N. Elston. It was opened by James Beard nominated chefs Johnny Clark and his wife Beverly Kim of Parachute which was located nearby and is currently being remodeled and rebranded. Anelya, named after Johnny’s grandmother, was started as a Ukrainian popup to provide humanitarian support for the region after the recent Russian invasion. It was then opened as a permanent location to preserve the culture of the area and of Johnny’s Ukrainian heritage. The kitchen staff is mostly Ukrainian. It has been featured in a number of publications including Eater Chicago’s “The Hottest New Restaurants in Chicago, April 2024” and The Infatuation’s “The Hit List: New Chicago Restaurants to Try Right Now.”

It has a contemporary menu in a beautiful setting. There is also a small outdoor patio in the back. I suggest trying and sharing several dishes so you can taste as many as you can! There is an appetizer cart that will be rolled over to your table features 13 items. I recommend the trout roe tart, the deviled eggs with anchovies, the eggplant rolls and the sunflower seed hummus. The borscht made with smoked pears and duck was
excellent as was the Napoleon made with a strawberry cream. Unfortunately, the pasta that I wanted to try was sold out. Eastern European wines dominate the wine list along with a few selections from Greece. The Greek rose was very refreshing. I highly recommend the experience.

Anelya

Ed Debevic’s has been a local institution beginning in 1984. After closing its original location in 2015, it reopened a new Streeterville diner in 2021. I recently went back for the first time to its new spot and loved the experience. It has a traditional 1950s style diner vibe with a great menu of burgers, cheese fries, milkshakes and more along with snarky, fun waiters and waitresses dressed in costumes. They even did a dance
number while I was there having lunch with a neighborhood friend. It has a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. I highly recommend it for families who are visiting the city. It is a block off N. Michigan Ave. at 159 E. Ohio St.

Ed Debevic’s

Lula Cafe: A leading Chicago farm-to-table restaurant since 1999, Lula Cafe features freshest local ingredients. They are also open for brunch/lunch and dinner with a creative menu. Reservations are available for dinner, unlike brunch/lunch. They have both indoor and outdoor seating.

In 2019, 2020 and 2022, Chef Jason Hammel was named a James Beard Award Finalist for Best Chef Great Lakes. But in 2024 they won the James Beard Award for Best Hospitality. After winning the award and seeing Jason speak at an event at The Arts Club of Chicago, I made a point to go back for brunch. I was glad to get a table with a minimal wait. I loved the smoked trout scramble made with scrambled eggs, arugula, dill and cream cheese along with house potatoes and toast. The blue cornmeal teacake topped with peaches and mascarpone cream was also excellent. 2537 N. Kedzie.

Lula Cafe

I also recommend the recently opened Gemini Grill which is across the street from Holy Name Cathedral at 748 N. State St. It is a branch of Gemini Lincoln Park where I have been many times. It is a large attractive space with an outdoor patio. I really enjoyed the mussels in a rich sauce with toasted bread to dip into it. I highly recommend the experience as the food and the staff were very good.

Gemini Grill

Located near Fulton Market in the West Loop is the Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago which opened in 2023. Guinness starting brewing beer in Dublin, Ireland in 1759. They opened their first brewery outside of Ireland in London in 1936. Today they brew in 50 countries around the world. At their attractive Chicago location, they currently brew 17 of their own beers from ales, lagers, beer cocktails and IPAs as well offer five brewed in Dublin, including the famous Guinness Extra Stout which I enjoy tasting again. They have a bakery serving coffee, bread and pastries in the morning, followed by brunch on Saturday and Sunday and lunch and dinner during the week in the Restaurant & Taproom. I had a great cheeseburger for lunch. The staff was very friendly and helpful. They also have a nice outdoor patio during the warmer months. I highly recommend the experience.

I had not had their Stout since I was in Dublin at their Guinness Storehouse several years ago for a tour and tasting. Also make sure to buy their dark chocolate with a taste of Guinness. It is excellent!

Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago

In Logan Square is the new concept, Bar Parisette, opened by Table, Donkey and Stick owner and sommelier Matt Sussman in their former Attagirl space. Opened in June 2924, it is a modern and casual French bistro-style restaurant. It is a great addition to the neighborhood, with a reasonably priced menu, attractive decor, excellent food and attentive staff. They also have happy hour specials. They will soon be having brunch as well. When I was there, it had several families dining with their children. I enjoyed an excellent veggie burger with fries and my niece loved the traditional moules frites, mussels and fries. 2829 W. Armitage Ave.

Bar Parisette

I recently went to Cafe Michelle along DuSable Harbor at 200 N. Lakefront Trail. Owned by the same group as Whispers Oak Street Beach, this is a lovely cafe and bar along the water. I felt like I was back on vacation at the Jersey Shore. They have a dine-in menu where you can sit on the patio and enjoy beautiful views of the boat docks. Here you can have starters, soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches and tacos. I enjoyed trying the tasty lamb burger topped with caramelized red onions, fresh spinach, feta cheese and topped with tzatziki sauce along with some fries. They also have a full bar menu.

There is also a cafe where you can buy coffee drinks, gelato and other take-out menu items.

Cafe Michelle

I recently went back after many years to Mia Francesca at 3311 N. Clark St. Founded in 1992 and part of a Chicago and suburban chain of restaurants, they closed and underwent a renovation. They reopened in February 2024 with a new menu as well. I went with local friends and enjoyed the food in the small dining room in the back overlooking their small patio. They feature the cuisine of Rome and the surrounding areas of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. I enjoyed the Spanish octopus with roasted potatoes along with a tasty tiramisu and rose wine.

Mia Francesca

After going back to Mia Francesca, I went two weeks later with friends to a recently opened restaurant, Istmo Oaxacan Cuisine, two blocks south at 3231 N. Clark St. It was opened in July 2024 by Carlos López Muñoz, who hails from the state of Oaxaca in Mexico and who studied under top Chicago chefs Carlos Gaytán and Rick Bayless. Currently they are open for breakfast and lunch until 2pm but will soon be opening for
dinner as well.

The menu includes the items that were his family’s culinary traditions including the black mole, which unites the culinary traditions of both his grandmothers. I enjoyed the enfrijoladas with a black bean sauce, fried plantains, a fried egg, crema and queso fresco along with chicken tinga. I also like colorful decorations of Oaxacan folk art and the two servers.

Istmo Oaxacan Cuisine

Located in Noble Square is the Frontier restaurant at 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave. This is a casual restaurant with a large menu of burgers, sandwiches, wild game, seafood and more. They also have a great brunch menu served on Saturday and Sunday. I enjoyed my Sunday brunch with a great server and a tasty crab cake benny served with a fried egg and red pepper hollandaise. I also wanted to try the shrimp and grits and the lamb burger, so I will have to go back again. They have a large outdoor patio as well. They are part of Pioneer Tavern Group that also owns Ina Mae Packaged Goods for New Orleans specialties and Lottie’s Pub. I have been to both and loved the food.

Frontier

After brunch at Frontier, I went nearby for dessert at Puffy Cakes at 1651 W. Chicago Ave. This is a Japanese bakery and coffee shop that opened in June 2024. According to Eater Chicago, it “specializes in Japanese cheesecake, which features a fluffy texture that’s a cross between a souffle and brioche French toast.” They also feature Hokkaido cheese tarts and other artisanal pastries. In partnership with La Colombe Coffee Roasters, they also serve coffee drinks with La Colombe Coffee. I enjoyed my latte, my strawberry Macaron and a perfect lemon raspberry tart. I enjoyed the colorful atmosphere and meeting the owner, Memo who is from Morocco.

Puffy Cakes

On my last visit to Andersonville, I met a local friend for lunch at m.henry. I had seen it featured on several top lists of the best neighborhood restaurants and the best breakfast spots in Chicago. It is a casual breakfast and lunch spot at 5707 N. Clark St. The menu has many egg dishes, quiche and pancakes along with salads, sandwiches, bowls and soups. They also have a coffee shop and bakery on-site. I enjoyed an omelet
special made with Canadian bacon and a side of plantains on their attractive outside patio.

m.henry

Located in the Hotel Lincoln is the recently opened Americano, Lincoln Park. Opened in mid-June 2024 in the former space occupied by The Kennison. This is an attractive, upscale restaurant with a 210-seat dining room and an 81-seat outdoor patio. They are open for dinner every night except Monday and for weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday. I went for brunch and had an excellent build your own omelet with breakfast potatoes. My friend had the same dish. In the evening, my server recommends miso salmon and the Mediterranean sea bass as two of the best items on the menu. They also feature raw oysters. It is very popular, so make sure to book your reservation before. 1816 N. Clark St. at the corner of Lincoln and Wells.

Americano Bar and Restaurant

Located in Marina City is Legal Sea Foods at 315 N. Dearborn St. Opened in July 2024, this is a great new addition to the neighborhood. Legal Sea Foods is a legendary New England restaurant established in 1950. It began as a fish market in Cambridge, MA and has grown into a culinary institution along the East Coast, operating 26 restaurants in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Rhode Island. This is its first Midwest location. I remember going for the first time in the late 1960s in Cambridge with my parents.

This is a large space with a main dining room and a terrace overlooking the Chicago River Walk. There is also an Oyster Bar upstairs. The Chicago menu features its specialties from oysters, chowders, lobster rolls to seafood and sushi.

Legal Sea Foods

I went for lunch three week ago and enjoyed the experience. Their new lunch combo was a great value. I loved the lobster bisque, the buttered lobster roll, fries and coleslaw. The space was attractive, and the service was excellent.

I hope you enjoy my recommendations! I look forward to exploring more spots here in September and October.

For more travel destinations and recommendations, visit globalphile.com.

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