Amber Gibson 2023-01-16 11:29:43
Chicago’s vibrant culinary scene spans the globe, with authentic representations of cuisines from Asia, South America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and beyond across our diverse neighborhoods. Norman’s Bistro in Bronzeville specializes in Cajun-Creole fare, with highlights that include shrimp and catfish po’ boys, chicken gumbo, and sausage jambalaya. Stick around for the DJs spinning everything from house to R&B in The Bar, along with live jazz music on Sunday nights. Husband-and-wife team Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark have garnered James Beard Awards and Michelin stars for their inventive contemporary Korean cuisine at Parachute in Avondale. Eclectic beverage options, including soju, cocktails, and wine, pair with haemul pajeon seafood pancakes and pork bossam accented with kimchi. In River North, discover Jaleo by world-renowned chef José Andrés. Dine on traditional Spanish tapas like gazpacho, Spanish tortillas, and spicy chorizo wrapped in crispy potatoes, along with massive pans of paella, all served with panache. For Chinese classics like Peking duck and sizzling beef tenderloin, head to Evergreen Restaurant in Chinatown. Cantonese cuisine is the specialty here, but regional favorites from Szechuan like kung pao shrimp and twice-cooked pork also appear on the menu. If you’re in the mood for Mexican food, Lonesome Rose in Logan Square is open for dinner and weekend brunch, slinging tacos, burritos, and frozen mezcal margaritas. There’s also vegan queso, made with coconut milk and nutritional yeast. Be sure to check out Golden Teardrops, the restaurant’s hidden basement bar. Arami in West Town is a longtime favorite for high-quality sashimi, nigiri, and makimono sushi rolls at reasonable prices. You’ll also find Japanese favorites like fried chicken karaage and grilled Japanese yellowtail collar. In Hyde Park, 14 Parish Restaurant & Rhum Bar is open late on weekends, dishing out Caribbean flavors with flair. Try the coconut shrimp, jerk chicken, and red snapper escovitch paired with more than 100 varieties of rum from the bar. HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen is known for its warm service and excellent Vietnamese food in Pilsen. Chef Thai Dang modernizes dishes he grew up with in Hanoi, such as the whole fried fluke and chicken wings in caramelized fish sauce. Galit earned a Michelin star for the bright Middle Eastern flavors it serves up in Lincoln Park. Lamb kebabs, wood-roasted cabbage with saffron mudjara, and silky-smooth hummus are accompanied by the fluffiest pita in Chicago for dipping. Since her Top Chef victory, Stephanie Izard has become one of Chicago’s most recognized and beloved chefs. Cabra is her latest restaurant in the West Loop — a colorful Peruvian rooftop with refreshing ceviches, beet tiradito, and crab causas. Don’t miss Chicago Restaurant Week, when hundreds of restaurants across the city offer special prix fixe menus. Get a preview at the First Bites Bash tasting event. Find more details at eatitupchicago.com. AUTHOR'S TIP Be sure to try a bubble tea in Chinatown — the ultrapopular Joy Yee offers lots of colorful, fruity versions. Check out Chicago’s latest Michelin-awarded restaurants at choosechicago.com/michelin. OUTDOOR DINING SPOTS Mexican street food and ice-cold beer attract baseball fans on game days at the two-story Big Star Wrigleyville that overlooks historic Wrigley Field. The roof deck at Gibsons Italia draws a sophisticated clientele with house-made pastas, wagyu steaks, and sweeping views of the Chicago River. The playful patio at Recess in the West Loop serves elevated childhood favorites like loaded tater tots while guests play giant Jenga surrounded by repurposed shipping containers. Chow down on fried chicken sandwiches and hush puppies at Parson’s Chicken & Fish, featuring lively patios at all four of its neighborhood locations. James Beard Award-winning chef Erick Williams serves elegant but hearty Southern fare like blackened catfish and buttered grits from breezy sidewalk tables at Virtue.
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