Allana Mortell 2020-01-22 00:43:11
CULINARY DELIGHTS Get a taste of Chicago dining by checking out hot new restaurants, sampling international cuisine, and pairing innovative drinks with delish eats. Get a taste of the country’s top restaurant city. Dig into a Chicago style hot dog (seven toppings, no ketchup), an avant-garde tasting menu, a dim sum spread in Chinatown — Chicago’s food options are as diverse as the city itself. You’ll find something for everyone, from crave-worthy cheap eats to world-renowned fine dining. JAMES BEARD AWARDS Chicago is honored to host the prestigious James Beard Awards, home to more than 40 winners. While you’re in town, be sure to dine at a few. At Fat Rice, chef Abe Conlon crafts Macanese-inspired comfort food. Chef Lee Wolen is the brains behind the seasonal American dishes served at the quirky but charming Boka. And celebrity chef Rick Bayless continues to turn out amazing modern Mexican dishes at Topolobampo. MICHELIN STARS Chicago boasts 25 restaurants with one or more Michelin stars, known as one of the highest honors in the culinary world. Alinea (the city’s famed three-star Michelin restaurant), helmed by celebrated chef Grant Achatz, is known for its experimental molecular gastronomy and wow-worthy presentations. Check out the seasonal farm-to-table fare at Smyth (two stars), where three different prix fixe menus change daily, followed by an after-dinner drink downstairs at The Loyalist. Goosefoot (one star) uses artisan farm ingredients in its contemporary American fare. The intimate Temporis (one star) offers a progressive American tasting menu that incorporates selections from its hydroponic garden. INTERNATIONAL TOUR Chicago’s global neighborhoods offer a taste of the city’s diverse dining scene. On Devon Avenue in Little India, Tiffin The Indian Kitchen offers regional delicacies such as lamb vindaloo. In the heart of Chinatown, MingHin Cuisine is known for specialty items like barbecued duck. The lakefront Edgewater neighborhood is a melting pot of cuisines, like Indian spot Mango Pickle and its Goan coconut shrimp. Pilsen is a hotbed of cultural flavors, from Carnitas Uruapan, famed for its slow-cooked pork recipe, to HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen, featuring its popular chicken wings coated in caramelized fish sauce. CHICAGO CLASSICS You can’t leave town without sampling some of Chicago’s most iconic dishes. Dive into the cheesy, gooey goodness of deep dish pizza served up at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Giordano’s, and Gino’s East of Chicago. Try a Chicago style hot dog, a casual staple that’s found at Portillo’s downtown or Jim’s Original in Little Italy. Or go for an Italian beef dipped in au jus at Mr. Beef on Orleans in River North or Al’s #1 Italian Beef, with locations around the city. Foodies can’t miss Chicago Restaurant Week in January and Chicago Gourmet, held every September. Find a complete guide to Chicago dining experiences at choosechicago.com/things-to-do/food-drink.
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