The country of Myannmar, formerly known as Burma, is barely understood in the U.S. Even less so is its cuisine, since there is only one Burmese restaurant in the state. PA LIAN 254 E. Geneva Rd., Wheaton 331-716-7905
Downtown Naperville has a relatively new addition, right on the river, called the Water Street District. There are a number of new places to eat and drink, all just a few yards apart. Sparrow Coffee Naperville 120 Water Street, #110 Naperville 630-384-8940 Quiubo 120 Water Street, #122 Naperville 331-702-2711
About 40,000 Turkish expats live in the Midwest, a quarter of them in Chicago. Some of them are restaurateurs, making the same delicious food from back home. CAFÉ ISTANBUL 2014 W. Division St., Chicago 773-661-9487
Some of the best pastries, breads and plated desserts are coming from a wholesale kitchen in West Town these days. One woman is behind it all, and sweet connoisseurs may have already seen her work around town. Aya Pastry No retail location. Order online on Aya Pastry’s website. Pastries available at: Maple & Ash Etta … Continued
A new restaurant in Chicago’s Hyde Park neighborhood combines the culinary skills of a fine-dining veteran and his love of all things Southern. VIRTUE 1462 E. 53rd St. 773-947-8831
If you’re craving Vietnamese food, you might think you’d have to head to Argyle Street in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. However, you can also get a bowl at a tiny restaurant in Glenview. Bun Cha Hanoi 1705 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview 847-813-9150
Noodles are one of my favorite things to eat, especially if they’re used in Thai recipes. Fortunately, I found a new Thai restaurant in Old Town where they’re using both rice and egg noodles in two popular dishes. Hom Mali Thai and Sushi 417 W. North Ave. 312-664-3400
Chicago has seen a wave of microbrewers in recent years. One of the most recent also happens to have one of the city’s best bread programs. Not only bread, but pizza! The same baker is in charge of all of the dough made in-house. Middle Brow Bungalow 2840 W. Armitage Ave. 773-687-9076
Fat Tuesday is right around the corner. There are several traditional dishes to eat before Lent, including the paczki, of course, from the Polish community. But in New Orleans, where Mardi Gras is in full-swing, you’re more likely to find bowls of gumbo over the next few days. Nita’s Gumbo 4153 183rd St., Country Club Hills … Continued
In terms of Korean food, too often people only think about grilled short ribs, kimchi or rice bowls. But there’s another dish – usually found on menus where drinking beer is involved – that combines spicy chicken and melted cheese. It’s now available on several menus around town. Agit Bar & Grill 9098 W. Golf … Continued
What ever happened to happy hour? There’s a bar on the Near North Side where the kitchen definitely punches above its weight, because not only do they offer a few happy hour specials during the week, their kitchen menu is full of delicious surprises you’d never expect to find in a tavern. Good Measure 226 … Continued