Brass Heart Isn't Quite Ready to Compete
The Uptown spot's ambitious tasting menus veer dizzyingly from mind-blowing to maddening.
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Indulge in German Kitsch at Funkenhausen
Irreverent to a fault, Mark Steuer’s new restaurant merits serious consideration in spite of itself.
Passerotto Brings Fresh Energy to a Star-Crossed Spot
Jennifer Kim’s unexpected culinary mash-ups may finally break the curse on this notorious space.
Pacific Standard Time Might Just Survive a Chicago Winter
As summer flings go, this Cali-themed restaurant is a memorable one.
Spiaggia
Agnolotti with ramps and Calabrian chile Photos: Jeff Marini Ah, Spiaggia. Is any restaurant in Chicago more irritatingly perfect? Tony Mantuano’s Italian bastion holds fast on the corner of Chicago’s...
Topolobampo
Peaches in Cream Photo: Anna Knott Rick Bayless made his first impression in 1987 with Frontera Grill, and it was a great one, introducing Chicagoans to previously unfamiliar Mexican flavors...
Alinea
Morel, blueberry, and onion Photos: Jeff Marini Before Alinea opened in 2005 and started blowing minds with its groundbreaking molecular cooking, partners Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas sat down to...
Schwa
A dish called Flavors of Forest There has never been another restaurant like Schwa. And once chef/owner Michael Carlson decides he is finished, which he’ll most likely do on a...
George Trois
Filet de boeuf with truffle Photos: Jeff Marini At a time when restaurants were trending downscale, chef Michael Lachowicz, whose Restaurant Michael had become a North Shore fixture, went in...
Goosefoot
A dessert featuring vanilla, matcha, truffle, cherries, and pink peppercorns Photo: Jeff Marini Chris and Nina Nugent’s unlikely jewelbox of a restaurant, which shares an unprepossessing block with the neighborhood...