I am grateful! 🙂 I pinch myself sometimes of how lucky I am to get to experience some of the most exquisite dining Chicago has to offer. I truly live in the Mecca of good eating.
What does good eating mean to you? As much as I love a beautiful ambience the number one factor of a great dining experience to me is DELICIOUS food. The cherry on top would be delicious food presented in a pleasingly aesthetic way. Follow along as I share with you my top dining experiences of 2023. There are so many spots to cover, but I narrowed it down to my top 15. Let the eating begin…..
Tavi J. of Chiataglance 2023 Top Dining Experiences
M Room
450 N Clark Street
The M Room is what Scotch Whisky lover dreams are made of. The restaurant pays homage to The Macallan with a unique first-of-its-kind restaurant concept. The high end drinking dining affair combines luxury pours of The Macallan with a tasting menu inspired by the whisky, making for an expert marriage of dish and dram. The tasting menu highlights the flavors and ingredients used in the scotch whisky making process, including barley, yeast, oak, sherry, and of course whisky. One of my favorite pairings from the 10 course tasting menu was the seared scallops (Macallan brown butter, Foie gras mousse, XO sauce) paired with Emilio Lustau Dry Oloroso Sherry).
LYRA
905 W Fulton Market
Last year my friend and I were aimlessly wandering around the Fulton Market District and were drawn to Lyra’s patio. At that time we just stopped by for cocktails and had a couple of apps that blew us a way. We kept commenting on the bold and unique flavors. Fast forward to 2023 I had a full sit down meal at the Greek establishment. The award winning, Internationally acclaimed chef, Athinagoras Kostakos uses the custom wood and charcoal burning hearth, by applying island cooking techniques. Some of my favorite items to order here are the apps like: Horiatiki salad, scallops, tuna
tartare, and octopus.
CheSa’s Bistro & Bar
3235 W Addison Street
Head up North to the Chicago Avondale neighborhood to experience Owner/Chef CheSa Rollins completely Gluten-free menu. The restaurant offers contemporary American flavors with a Creole twist. One thing I will stress is Gluten-free does not mean tasteless. You would never be able to tell the difference. I’ve been to CheSa’s several times now and she is constantly creating new and inventive menu items. Some of my favorite dishes are the Lobster Mac and Cheese, Catfish & Jambalaya, and Chicken and Waffles. Check them out for brunch, happy hour, and dinner. Also, gotta mention I loved the Uncle Nearest Whiskey flight.
Bell Heir’s Bbq
704 W 47th Street
One of my first meals of 2023 was at the newly opened Bbq joint – Bell Heir’s. They’re serving up DELICIOUS homemade Bbq from time tested family recipes passed down from generation to generation. The South Side restaurant offers take out and delivery. I throughly enjoyed the whole menu, but my favorites were the Slagel Farms smoked Bbq turkey leg, brisket Mac & Cheese, and the rib tip dinner. I would have to say they have some of the best brisket around town.
The Albion Manor
1480 W Webster Avenue
The Parlour above the English pub is always serving up new menu items. The compact and robust inventive menu blends well with the laid back luxe lounge seating and cocktail focused atmosphere. I absolutely love the decor. Also, make sure to check out there monthly Burlesque and Variety shows which are usually held on Thursdays.
Lure Fish Bar
616 N Rush Street
Lure Fish Bar is the spot to get your fresh seafood. There’s a complete raw bar with a rotating oyster selection AND a world class sushi program. Everything was so fresh! It’s hard to choose a favorite. We started our meal with the oysters (which were amazing). We then opted for a sushi bar combination plate that came with sushi and sashimi and the finale was the heart warming bread pudding for dessert. Cheers to this fantastic meal!
Sushi Suite 202
1816 N Clark Street
One of my most spectacular dining experiences till this day was an Omakase dining destination. Sushi Suite 202 is a hotel room turned into a sushi bar. Omakase is a Japanese phrase meaning, “I’ll leave it up to you.” The exclusive 17 course meal offers mouthwatering bites of high quality sushi prepared in front of you by a sushi master. It was fun watching the fish preparation and my favorites were the bites with truffle. This is definitely an experience not to be missed.
UMMO
22 W Hubbard Street
The Contemporary Italian restaurant opened in August under the helm of Chef/Partner Jose Sosa. Chef Sosa travels to Italy frequently and derives inspiration from the richness of each region’s culinary tradition. At the grand opening party we got to meet some of the producers from Italy that supply UMMO with exclusive balsamic vinegars, olive oils, deluxe cheeses, meats, and other special products. Hands down my favorite menu item was the 7-year aged risotto Al fungi and don’t forget to add truffles.
Jook Sing
1329 W Chicago Avenue
This exciting new culinary concept that just opened in the ladder part of this year embraces the vibrant energy of Asian night market culture and street food. The term “Jook Sing” itself refers to individuals of Asian descent who were born in Western countries, and it carries a sense of endearment and celebration of cultural fusion. We talked to the Chef for a good amount of time and he told us next year there are many restaurant collaborations to look forward to. He also made us some items not featured on the menu yet. We were highly impressed with the bold flavors and seasonings. Can’t wait to go back for more!
Maple & Ash
8 W Maple Street
Ya’ll know how much #Leoseason and my birthday mean to me. My best friend treated me like a Queen and took me to Maple & Ash for my birthday. You truly feel like royalty when you walk in. We had to take pics at the wall length mirror before heading up to the dining area. The whole dining room looks like it’s just lit my candlelight. The interior design really sets the mood. Our meal was equally fantastic. We each got the filet mignon, and we shared the delicious lobster Mac & cheese, and some asparagus. We kept the champagne flowing all night and ended with a decadent peach tart for my bday dessert.
The Delta
1745 W North Avenue
The Delta is located in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. The restaurant/ cocktail bar is an ode to the food, beverage, and culture of the Mississippi Delta region. I love how the owner, Eldridge Williams brings the black foodie community together once a year for an appreciation communal home cooked meal. The last time together left me stuffed and fully satisfied. Some of my favorites were the crab rangoon, banana beignets, and house made collard greens with smoked turkey. You can’t go wrong with this menu.
Costera Cocina
850 W Fulton Market
The Tulum inspired restaurant and lounge is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve been to Tulum before and I can speak from experience this spot is bringing the Tulum vibes. I went for the newly established brunch. Not only was the food presentation beautiful, but the flavor profiles were on point. My favorite dishes were the Costera guacamole and the shrimp aquachile. I highly recommend the smoked old fashion and ending your meal with the churros.
Casati’s Modern Italian
444 W Fullerton Pkwy
This is the place to go if you’re looking for a real taste of Italy. I love the authentic homemade pasta’s and pizza’s. I also enjoy the dishes that offer such creativity like the smoked salmon pizza. It was so tasty and unique. I have fun coming here during the summer to people watch on the outdoor patio. Casati’s also hosts a yearly fashion show and I was blown away by all the talented designers. Check them out for a good time!
Bittersweet Pastry Shop and Cafe
1114 W Belmont Avenue
It’s rare for restaurants to be around for 10 years let alone 30. 2023 was the year Bittersweet Pastry celebrated their 30th year anniversary. I couldn’t believe I had never tried out the chef-driven eatery located in Lakeview until this year. They revamped the menu and I was drooling over all the pastry selections. I narrowed it down to a ooey gooey pecan roll and a creamy cheesecake with a crust to die for. AND don’t you dare pass on the savory items. The turkey club sandwich was memorable.
Nisos Prime
802 W Randolph Street
I feel like we need a drum roll for this spot. I can not say enough how much I enjoyed my experience here. Nisos Prime opened in November of this year and it’s where succulent steaks, craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, and the enchanting allure of the Mediterranean effortlessly intertwine. Every item we ordered kept us impressed. We started with the sea bass crudo, followed by the Calabrian King Crab Merus, followed by the octopus. Chefs kiss to all of the apps. For my main meal I throughly enjoyed my 6 Oz Filet mignon with crab meat topper, truffle risotto, and I ended my meal with a lemon tart. Keep the party going with cocktails at The Lounge at Nisos afterwards.
THANK YOU!
Thanks to ALL of the restaurants in 2023 that provided such welcoming hospitality and kept me VERY well fed. I’m not only a foodie, but I love to tell the story and background of the amazing Chefs that work there a$$es off each year to provide amazing dining experiences. One of my favorite things I do for the blog is interview these amazing chefs and restaurant owners.
This year we ended with a new blog series that will be bringing into 2024. Our new restaurant series highlights both old and new Chicago restaurants in various neighborhoods with diverse cuisines. Drop me a line to let me know where we should head next: tavij@chiataglance.com.
Happy Eating!
