etta is an affordable neighborhood restaurant serving delicious wood-fired food from the creative partners behind the award-winning steakhouse Maple & Ash. Partner and Chef Danny Grant peppers each menu with his favorite seasonal dishes expertly crafted alongside his culinary team, which is centered around the wood-fired hearth. etta has something for everyone, from crave-worthy pizza and warm focaccia to fresh, crisp seasonal salads and family-style shared pig and lobster picnics. etta's open kitchen design provides guests with the same intimate experience that the kitchen is the focal point of interaction within a home.

Each location has a wood-burning brick oven for baking perfect pizzas, as well as a massive wood-fired hearth for spit roasting and grilling. They pay attention to every detail - their service is excellent, and they believe in generosity, so each etta experience is exceptionally thoughtful. They adore the communities they serve and strive to bring rich diversity, creativity, culture, and history to them.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: 1840 W North AveChicago60622
Contact: 312-757-4444
Website: ettarestaurant.com

There are old fashioneds at Longman & Eagle, stirred slowly and carefully behind a dark, gorgeous bar. There are dozens of whiskeys for three dollars, including the house favorite, Cabin Still, which is smooth and gentle. There are also flannel shirts, mustaches, and grandmother sweaters. There are a lot of them. But if you think eating at a restaurant owned in part by the Empty Bottle guys means being systematically ignored by a waitstaff of smelly, aloof, strategically scruffed dudes and the waifish, Lycra-clad women who dig them means being systematically ignored, you've seriously underestimated the genre.

You must allow yourself organ meats if you want to do this restaurant right. Get the beef-tongue hash, a dish that transforms a strangely textured cut into something alternately fatty and crisp, then tops it with a perfectly fried duck egg. Then, take a break by ordering a vegetable. It's too much to serve a brandade so deeply and wonderfully expressive of salt cod with equally salty potato chips (however delicious they are). You'd better hope the kitchen is paying attention, because there's nothing more satisfying than spreading pure, fatty bone marrow on grilled toast, then sprinkling it with flakes of sea salt and sprightly onion jam—and nothing more disturbing than the sight of stiff, pink, undercooked marrow.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: 2657 N Kedzie AveChicago60647
Contact: 773-276-7110
Website: longmanandeagle.com

Evette's is named after my Teta (grandmother in Lebanese), a woman who, in their opinion, is the guiding light of hospitality. It was as if she was born to be a Teta. She lived to feed and care for others. She represented everything good in human nature. Her food was incredible not only because it tasted incredible, but also because even a stranger could tell how much love she put into it for you. That love is now in their food and will be for as long as they serve you. They hope you feel the desire to love you through their food.

Evette's is one of the few places in town that serves loaded pita nachos and halloumi tacos, bridging the gap between Mediterranean flavors and traditional Mexican fare. Mitchell AbouJamra (DMK Group) and Rafa Esparza (Finom) designed the bright, no-reservations storefront, which was named after AbouJamra's grandmother (or teta in Lebanese). The menu delves into Lebanon's many influences on Mexican cuisine with dishes like tender shaved steak served with dates, almonds, and goat cheese. There are plenty of options for vegetarians, including the mushroom veggie melt and the halloumi wrap. With a baklava shake on the menu, dessert is a no-brainer.

Google Rating: 4.7/5.0
Address: 350 W Armitage AveChicago60614
Contact: +1 773-799-8478
Website: www.evetteschicago.com

m.henry serves globally inspired new american cuisine. They prepare all of their food with the finest natural and seasonal ingredients available, and whenever possible, they use locally produced and organic products. In their kitchen, they use the healthiest cooking methods to make each dish. At the same time, they recognize that life is about finding a happy medium. With this in mind, you'll find both healthful and delectably rich items on their menu.

Health food is tasty enough to eat at this adorable, sunny, daytime-only café. The owners are committed to organics and provide meat-free options, but they aren't opposed to a little cheese, butter, and sugar every now and then. Thick, dense blueberry pancakes and a heaping breakfast sandwich of fried egg, Gorgonzola, applewood-smoked bacon, and fresh thyme are two examples. If that's too good and gooey for you, there's always the Vegan Epiphany, an organic tofu scramble that just might live up to its name.

Google Rating: 4.6/5.0
Address: 5707 N Clark StChicago
Contact: 773-561-1600
Website: mhenry.net

THE ALDERMAN is a small, 16-seat cocktail bar hidden behind closed doors in Pilsen Yards. The beverage program comes from Chicago's most award-winning mixologist, Lance Bowman, who rotates half of the cocktail list every couple of months while perfecting the art of tradition with his twists on American classics, staples of The Alderman's cocktail list. It's the ideal room for a nightcap, a date, or a casual evening of one to several astonishingly good cocktails, with a plush velvet banquette and a 4-seat counter.

Pilsen Yards replaces Monnie Burke's with a casual, music-fueled concept that specializes in tacos and other Mexican eats, as well as a long list of cocktails and beer. Guests can plan their visit around a packed calendar of live DJs and art shows that will grace the space throughout the year. The covered outdoor patio is also noteworthy, with heated cement floors and overhead heaters for maximum coziness. If you want something more intimate, try to get a reservation at The Alderman, the in-house speakeasy cocktail lounge.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: 1163 W 18th StChicago60608
Contact: N/a
Website: www.pilsenyards.com

Tzuco ranks 6th in the list of best brunch spots in Chicago. Aside from the survival aspect, what draws so many of us to food on a deeper level is its ability to tell a story. In Tzuco's refreshing ceviche verde, for example, you can almost taste the pure, cold Pacific Ocean in pearlescent slivers of hamachi, which are paired with three variations of cactus, a plant that thrives in the harshest environments. The prickly flora is cured, iced, and juiced with mint, lime, and a smidgeon of serrano chile. The elements, when combined, sing of Mexico's diverse bounty.

Carlos Gaytán was born in Huitzuco, a small town in Guerrero, Mexico in 1970. At the age of 20, he headed to Chicago, Illinois looking for a life change, unaware that his gastronomy and his mother’s special gusto would play a crucial role in his future.His career began at the Sheraton North Shore Hotel as a dishwasher. Through hard work and training, he scaled up, and worked in various restaurants until he opened Mexique, a French-Mexican restaurant. There, he went on to become the first Mexican Chef to receive a Michelin star in 2013 and 2014.Today, Chef Carlos Gaytán wants to present the best of Mexico through his own vision, as infused with the French haute cuisine techniques he acquired during his practice. Tzuco—from Huitzuco—is a new restaurant located in The Gold Coast of Chicago. Tzuco tells the story of Carlos Gaytán’s life throughout a myriad of culinary creations in a unique and poetic space.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0
Address: 720 N State StChicago60654
Contact: 312-374-8995
Website: www.tzuco.com

Lula Cafe ranks 7th in the list of best brunch spots in Chicago. There are a million steaks in the world, but none compare to Lula's. A plate is patterned with flat-iron slices, with semolina gnocchi tucked in here and there. This is not steakhouse fare. It's also not that strange genre of Italian steakhouse food. This is a kimchi-strewn steak with an addictive heat and crunch. Sardine specks pop with brininess, riffing on the fermented cabbage's funk.

Doesn't it sound strange? It's far from it. It's visually appealing. It is technically completed. It's a dish that's more than the sum of its parts: high-quality, consciously sourced, thoughtfully prepared beef; rustic housemade pasta; a commitment to canning (kimchi); and a preference for small, sustainable fish (sardines). These are the characteristics that have come to be known as so Lula for more than a decade. However, this steak is more than that. It's a dish that's greater than the sum of its very great parts thanks to its inspired flavor combinations.

The flavors in these dishes were enticing. Others were simply stunning to look at, similar to the plates at Blackbird or L2O. But, unlike Blackbird and L2O, Lula belongs to the world of neighborhood restaurants where appetizers are $10 and entrées are $20. And, in this context, Lula's food is truly unique due to its ambition and finesse.Take, for instance, the evocative plating of bay scallops, each little guy adorned with its own mint leaf, little orbs of baby brussels sprouts and beets dotting the plate like a magically earthy ocean floor.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0

Address: 2537 N Kedzie BlvdChicago60647

Contact: 773-489-9554

Website: lulacafe.com

The Publican's eclectic menu is inspired by simple farmhouse fare and served in a space reminiscent of a European beer hall. Chef-Partner Paul Kahan has built a network of purveyors to provide the restaurant with hand-selected, sustainably raised fish, seafood, and pork. The menu features exceptional ingredients prepared to highlight the bounty of farmers and fishermen. The daily rotating menu reflects the best seasonal and local ingredients available, ranging from classic Belgian-style mussels and seafood stew to housemade terrines and charcuterie. Other standouts include beef heart tartare, country ribs, and The Publican's signature Farm Chicken, as well as a thoughtful selection of fresh and pickled vegetables.

The menu's rustic dishes are complemented by an extensive international beer list curated by partners Donnie Madia, Eduard Seitan, and Terry Alexander. The beer and spirit list has been carefully curated and includes a wide range of modern and historical beer styles, brewery collaborations, and a focused cider selection. A thoughtfully curated list of house-made, seasonal cocktails and a wine list centered on Northern Italy, Alsace, and the Germanic and Balkan regions and grape varietals round out the dining experience.

The restaurant’s expansive layout, designed by Thomas Schlesser, incorporates strong architectural lines and rustic décor, reflective of The Publican’s hearty fare. Its spacious interior is dominated by a large walnut communal table designed to recall 16th Century European banquets. Set up in racetrack fashion, the banquet table seats upwards of 100 people with views of the partially open kitchen.

Google Rating: 4.5/5.0

Address: 837 W Fulton MarketChicago60607

Contact: 312-733-9555

Website: thepublicanrestaurant.com

Summer never ends in this place! Summer House, with locations in Chicago, IL and North Bethesda, MD, provides sunshine all year. Chef Ben Goodnick's California-inspired menu features simple ingredients sourced from local grower partnerships and sustainable products. Rosé is served all day from the signature Rosé Cart, in addition to an extensive wine and handcrafted cocktail menu. And, regardless of the weather, the bright and airy vibes pervade the atmosphere. Summer is waiting for you on the other side, whether you're in for a date night, a family gathering, or brunch with friends.

As soon as you walk in, you're greeted by a bakery case filled with cookies, Rice Krispie treats, granola bars, and other baked treats. Summer House, to the left of the bakery case, is a bright, welcoming space with greenery suspended from high ceilings, a countdown to summer on the wall, and a buzzing energy. Stella Barra, a sister pizzeria to the right, is dark and looks like a tacked-on sports bar. Both Lettuce Entertain You locations are run by chef-partner Jeff Mahin, who also owns Do-Rite Donuts and two Stella Barra locations in California.

Google Rating: 4.4/5.0
Address: 1954 N Halsted StreetChicago60614
Contact: 773-634-4100
Website: www.summerhousesm.com

The Duck Inn is a neighborhood gastro-tavern and dining room on the border of Chicago's thriving Pilsen and Bridgeport neighborhoods, located at Loomis Street and the Chicago River. It's housed in a pre-Prohibition era tavern with a homey retro design aesthetic.

The fried cheese curds are like little clouds atop Bloody Mary ketchup laced with aquavit. The hamburger sandwich is a greasy but worthy update on a patty melt, served on rye bread with grilled onions and a thick slab of Brun-uusto cheese. And the duck fat dog is a magnificent specimen, a duck and beef link with a snappy casing and a garden of toppings. Brandon Phillips, the bartender, also knows what people want to drink. Cocktails range in price from $7 to $14 (most are $10), and they're pretty good—the Don is a Manhattan riff with walnut liqueur, while other drinks are more global, such as the lychee chuhai, a Japanese shochu and soda cocktail.

Google Rating: 4.0/5.0
Address: 2701 S Eleanor StChicago
Contact: 312-943-7600
Website: theduckinnchicago.com

Cobblestone is a place to unwind and enjoy great food, drink, and conversation. Their goal is to restore the sense of community to a restaurant, an aspect of the dining experience that is frequently lost in a fast-paced city like Chicago. Cobblestone, which has taken over the former home of the Northman, adheres to the European cuisine and cider-focused bar program of the building's previous occupant. With burgers, mussels, and fish and chips on the menu, you can dine in the cozy dining room or on the adjacent patio, accompanied by a cider or a European beer.

Cobblestone's concept is to create a neighborhood-friendly, stylish yet approachable restaurant that serves both locals and visitors. A talented and accomplished Executive Chef created their one-of-a-kind menu, which represents contemporary eclectic European cuisine with an American twist. They intend to continue the previously cultivated local cider tradition while also introducing exciting changes to the beverage menu.

Google Rating: 4.0/5.0
Address: 4337 N Lincoln AveChicago60618
Contact: 773-935-2255
Website: cobblestone-chicago.com