South
5900 N. Broadway, 773-989-7666
Looking to distinguish her Edgewater spot, The Room, from sister restaurant Speakeasy Supper Club in Rogers Park, restaurateur Jody Andre has changed its name and menu. Executive chef Linda Raydl will now put modern spins on Tex-Mex (rice-and-bean poblano pepper, $17), Southern (fried-green tomatoes, $6) and even South American cuisine (chimichurri chicken, $17). The concept extends to the place settings–dig those Mason jar glasses. South, however, remains BYOB.
The Grille on Laurel
181 E. Laurel Ave., Lake Forest, 847-234-9660
Simple, if pricey, fare served within a swanky, lounge-like environment distinguishes this new restaurant and bar, the latest venture from the owners of Highland Park’s popular Metropolitan Cafe. Barbecued baby-back ribs ($20.95), angel-hair pasta ($18.95) and plenty of steak and other meat, including the Greek-style lamb chops ($16.95), fill the menu. The long international wine list offers lots of by-the-glass options and breaks down the reds and whites by body. Best feature: a slab stone peek-a-boo fireplace separating the bar from the dining room.
Trio Atelier
1625 Hinman Ave., Evanston, 847-733-8746
Always wanted to visit Trio, but never had the bucks? Good news: The famed launching pad for star chefs has been reborn as Trio Atelier–that’s French for “workshop”–with Dale Levitsky (formerly of La Tache) taking over for uber chef Grant Achatz. A read of the menu’s affordable small ($3-$9), medium ($7-$13) and large plates ($15-$22) shows Levitsky’s bistro flair: beef strip loin with almond croquette and blueberry demi-glace ($13); and roasted poussin with seasonal stuffing ($20).
Vie
4471 Lawn Ave., Western Springs, 708-246-2082
Paul Virant, who oversaw private-event catering at Blackbird, moves front-and-center with his recently opened Vie. Vie will emphasize artisanal, locally produced products like “organic chicken three ways”: roasted and stuffed, braised with peppers and olives and pan-fried with pesto ($19). Featuring an 85-label wine list, half from small American producers, it’s the first Western Springs spot to have a liquor license since Prohibition.
Aloha Grill
2534 N. Clark St., 773-935-6828
Go Hawaiian with this barbecue joint, which prides itself on serving authentic island “plate lunches.” Featuring chicken katsu ($5.95), Hawaiian BBQ beef, chicken, and pork ($5.95-6.95), the dishes come with two scoops of rice or fries and macaroni salad. The most authentic option? Spam. (Hawaiians consume more of the stuff per capita than anyone else in the United States. Really.) Aloha features Spam-and-noodle saimin soup ($3.95), and Spam musubi ($2.95), sort of a warm Spam sushi.
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