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Arami

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One of my favorite sushi spots in Chicago; small, intimate and while the omakase (chef’s tasting) runs a tad $$$, selections are wonderful and creative without slipping into cliché (cream cheese, unagi sauce, etc.)

Roka Akor

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Based in London, with an outpost in Scottsdale, it reeks of corporate dining, but it’s a fun, efficient machine with a super-huge Japanese robata grill featuring imported binchotan charcoal to sear, then mesquite to add smoky flavor to an assortment of steaks, shrimp and vegetables. Sushi service is also very good, but not as good … Continued

Ruxbin

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One of my favorite BYOBs in Chicago; corkage just $5 per table. The chef is a former Per Se vet, so despite the low-key ‘hood, the food has higher aspirations.

Tuna Tartar from Bistronomic

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Martial Noguier never quite settled into his previous assignments. At one sixtyblue, his cooking would veer into French territory, but the fact diners were there for Michael Jordan’s connection as much as anything, probably limited his creativity. At Café des Architectes, inside the Hotel Sofitel, he explored his roots a bit more, but still, he was a … Continued

Widgets from Dari Ripple

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As the summer draws to a close, I’m left with thoughts of sweet corn, tomatoes and soft serve. I’ve been spending lazy days on, in and around Lake Geneva, the summer respite for so many Chicagoans. With an abundance of farm stands in the area, the thought of cooking dinner every night is simply exhilarating. … Continued

Falafel from Semiramis

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The dudes over at Sultan’s Market may have the bus stop bench advertising market cornered, and as much as they boast about their falafel, it is quite good. But regulars at Albany Park’s Semiramis also know that their favorite Lebanese haunt also churns out some of the best in the city. I particularly love their … Continued

Raviolo at Davanti Enoteca

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Just about every Italian restaurant on Taylor Street, in Little Italy, serves the same lineup: penne with vodka sauce, eggplant parm and veal milanese. But Davanti Enoteca has been a standout since it opened a few months ago, mainly due to its excellent lineup of cured meats and cheeses, as well as some boldly-flavored antipasti … Continued

Fried Chicken at Crisp

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  I didn’t grow up in the deep South, and I never had a mama who whipped up biscuits and cornbread just for the hell of it. That doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate a superb fried chicken.‚ There are few contrasts as tasty as a crisp, fatty shield of chicken skin, yielding to an impossibly … Continued