City Digest: Chicago

BRUNCH & LUNCH

Floriole Cafe & Bakery: This spot is perfect. A big and bright French-ish cafe serving lunch and pastries (they are beautiful), as well as “take and bake” goods - including croissants, cookies, scones and cinnamon rolls. Ingredients are sourced locally and you can taste it in the flavors. I love their quiche or a classic Parisian sandwich.
Little Goat Diner: Stephanie Izard’s elevated diner experience. Breakfast served all day.. As well as burgers, sammies, soup and salads! Pop in for dessert and enjoy a sundae, milkshake or slice of pie.
Lula Cafe: A brunch hot-spot for a hipster start to your day in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. Its farm-to-table menu has something for everyone…with fresh farm eggs and porridge and buttermilk pancakes. Always bustling on the weekends, you may need to put your name in and go for a stroll.
Park and Field: The ultimate boozy brunch in the summer. Bottomless food and drink (mimosas, bloody marys, seltzers, beers) for only $45. Enjoy your meal under the umbrellas of their large patio - or around their fire pits once the temperature drops. They also have yard games like jumbo Jenga and bocce ball to make it a full day affair.
Parson’s Chicken & Fish: Chicken tenders, frozen negronis and a sunny patio are a recipe for a good time… and that’s exactly what Parson’s offers for a lowkey lunch with friends.
LUXBAR: A classic American bistro in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. A great spot for pre-shopping activities.
Range: Another farm-to-table local spot worth visiting if you’re in the mood for fluffy eggs and buttermilk pancakes.
Anne Sather’s: Chicago’s Swedish diner! Every dish comes with their world famous cinnamon rolls and they are unbelievable.
Small Cheval: Au Cheval (the best burger in Chicago)’s fast-casual spot that serves smash burgers with just the right amount of fixings. The fries are a strong contender for “favorite of all time” (thin, crispy, salty) and the garlic aioli dip makes it a definitive winner.

TAKE OUT

Del Seoul: A Korean BBQ spot in my old neighborhood with awesome takeout options and BYOB casual dining. People swear by their chicken wings, but I always opt for their shrimp (2) and fish (1) tacos. The best takeout you can get in Chicago! Pick it up and take it to the lake or Lincoln Park.
Cafecito: Cubano sandwich and yucca fries (with aioli)…. That’s your order. Don’t even give it a second thought. If ham or cheese aren’t your thing, they have plenty of veggie and vegan pressed sandwich options. Coffee is very solid too!
Chengdu Impression Authentic Sichuan Cuisine: The best Chinese takeout in Chicago (according to my friend group). Best things on the menu: mapo tofu, dan dan noodles, zhong dumplings, dry chili chicken, sichuan string beans and toothpick beef.
Tandoor Char House: Indian Pakistani fusion spot that’s the perfect comfort food on a cold Chicago night. All the entrees are marinated for 24hrs and you can tell! We loved the chicken tikka, chana masala, palak paneer and cilantro chutney.

DINNER

Ciccio Mio: My favorite restaurant in Chicago, hands-down. There are only ~a dozen tables, so it can be tricky to get a reservation… but your Resy stalking will be worth it as you sit in the plush red booths, sip on the best martini in town and enjoy their famous truffle mozzarella sticks, house salad, black truffle bucatini, spicy rigatoni and lasagna. Save room for dessert because their fennel pollen/olive oil/honey/sea salt soft serve is too die for.
Giant: A new favorite foodie spot with a rotating menu of simple but cheffy plates and an extensive wine list. They are known for their Japanese Eggplant and Dungeness crab tagliatelle but it’s one of those places where you can sit back and let your expert server take you on a culinary adventure (aka everything on the menu is good).
Pizzeria Portofino: The most scenic spot for dinner right on the Chicago river. The food is solid, but the vibes are spectacular, especially when the weather is cooperating. Perfect for a girls night or dinner with out of town guests.
Sunda: Sunda single handedly made Asian fusion my favorite genre of food. Amazing sushi, noodles, dumplings and more. The space is remarkably big, so it shouldn’t be too hard to snag a table. Order the wok fried shishito peppers, brussel sprouts salad, steamed buns, garlic crab noodles, spicy tuna crispy rice and baked snow crab handroll.
Monteverde: Considered to have the best chicken parmesan in all of Chicago. Need I say more?
Proxi: A spot for foodies with a fantastic $75 pre-fixed meal. If that’s not your vibe, they have a great happy hour from 4-6pm Tuesday-Friday with snacks and sips.
Big Star: A solid spot for tacos, margs and an outdoor patio to enjoy them on. Great option for big groups before a night out!
The Publican: This all American spot simply makes things of the highest quality. Amazing cocktails, oysters by the dozen, delicious bread, fresh veggies and a half chicken platter that will make you not want to eat chicken anywhere else. Sit inside at one of their long communal tables or outside on their growing patio (a gift from COVID).
Ramen San or Sushi San: Two great spots under the same owner. I loved going here for the cocktails that were presented in to-go chinese food boxes and for a big bowl of ramen in the winter.
Piccolo Sogno: This spot feels like classic chicago… big bowls of pasta and a gorgeous garden patio with twinkly light and yellow umbrellas. An amazing option for a parent visit.
Happy Camper: Everyone’s favorite place on Old Town’s famous Wells Street. Go here for big group dinners before going out…. Or stay there all night and enjoy the live DJ and young, fun vibes. At a minimum, there are always great people watching.
Mon Ami Gabi: My favorite French spot in the city. Amazing steak frites, trout almond and other french bistro classics. I love it just as much in the winter inside as I do in the summer outside on its garden patio.
Athenian Room: A budget friendly spot serving no-frills but delicious Greek food. It’s a local classic… and the locals love the chicken and juice-soaked fries.
Armitage Alehouse: Upscale pub serving Indian-inspired dishes. Impeccable vibes, great staff and creative menu.
Mott St: Asian American feast-style dining. People go wild over their burger - which is only served until 7pm - but I love their veggie and fish dishes.

HAPPY HOUR

Time Out Market Rooftop: A great West Loop rooftop spot with no pretense. Grab a beer and take in the views!
3 Arts Cafe: A spectacular place for a glass of prosecco. Situated in the Restoration Hardware store, the space is filled with chandeliers and greenery. Have a glass (or two), then walk through the store and let your interior design daydreams run wild while strolling through the multi-level Restoration Hardware store.
Gaslight / Galway Arms: Nothing fancy, just two Lincoln Park neighborhood sports bars that are consistently bumping.
Gilt Bar: Everyday from 4-5:30pm this extremely dimly lit spot has cheap snacks, $8 old fashioned and $6 teeny martinis, wine and beer.
Sunnygun: Moneygun’s outdoor patio bar. Great cocktails and old school diner vibes.
Lone Wolf: My most reliable bar in Chicago for post-work drinks or post-dinner nigh caps. Great for small groups who want to catch up over old fashions or beers.
Middlebrow Bungalow: Wed-Friday 4-6pm they have half off pizzas and reduced drinks. The ‘zas are next level.

COFFEE & TREATS

Philz: As a Bay Area girlie, I’m partial to this spot alwayssss. I feel blessed it followed me eastward to Chicago, with multiple locations now across the city. Try my order off the secret menu: the ‘oatmeal cookie’ or ‘cinnamon toast crunch’ with light oat, no sugar (iced or hot depending on the season and reason).

Colectivo: Good coffee, even better breakfast food. The southwestern is so yum and the perfect size.
Printers Row Coffee: Delicious local coffee shop with an awesome selection of local eats. Get the iced oat latte.
Herbs and Alchemy: Coffee with a twist - herb-infused blends. Also a nice, big and sunny spot to work remotely from. I like their match and real vanilla latte.
Foxtrot Market: Bougie bodega vibes in the best way. Grab coffee and breakfast tacos in the a.m. or meet a friend for a glass of wine and GF chips for a casual happy hour. It’s also a great spot for grab-and-go wraps or salads and for last-minute gifts (baked goods, wine, cocktail kits, etc.)
Sweet Mandy B’s: An award-winning bakery with a huge variety of “old fashioned desserts”. A fantastic option for a birthday cake order or maybe just because you want to try their delicious chocolate chip and confetti cookies, banana bread or magic cookie bars.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream: Founded in Ohio, Jeni’s proudly serves unconventional ice cream flavors - including their popular “brambleberry crisp,” “brown butter almond brittle” and “gooey butter cake.” My personal fave is the “salted PB with chocolate flecks.”
Firecakes Donuts: The best spot for an Old Fashioned donut - in particular, their pistachio old fashioned hits.
Beacon Donuts: So good you wouldn’t even know they were Vegan. A great spot to visit… right off of Armitage and in a cute alley.

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