In the neighborhoods dotting Chicago’s northern lakefront and in the Wicker Park/Bucktown area, there are plenty of gay-friendly (and gay-owned or -operated) restaurants, including Buddies’, Tomboy, Cucina Bella, Oo-La-La and Angelina Ristorante.
But there also are places that are less well known because they are not in gay neighborhoods, or don’t have a huge gay following.
These places are true gems, places where a gay or lesbian couple, or group of friends, can go for a nice meal and not have to be on guard, which is particularly nice if you’re on a date.
The following places in the city and suburbs are worth visiting for the exceptional eats alone, because what good is a gay-friendly atmosphere if the food isn’t edible?
River North and Lincoln Park:
Brio, 10 W. Hubbard St., 312-467-1010. Contemporary Spanish cuisine with creative flair. The service is impeccable, the food is delicious and each plate looks like a work of art. Live flamenco guitar music and flattering lighting make this a great date place. If you’re with a group of six to eight, ask for the private dining alcove.
Trocadero, 1750 N. Clark St., 312-932-1750. Specializing in European “soul food (comfort food)”, Trocadero is romantic enough for a date yet appropriate for a dinner with family members or a business outing. The wine flights are terrific bargains and the desserts are fabulous.
North Pond Cafe, 2610 N. Cannon Drive (at the Diversey Lagoon), 773-477-5845. Great Prairie-style decor and regional food specialties make this place worth a visit any time of the year. When the weather is warm, the outdoor cafe is unbeatable. Service can be a little slow, but the delicious food and great desserts make it worth your patience.
West Loop:
Wishbone, 1001 W. Washington St., 312-850-2663. Down-home Southern-style cooking with a modern edge. There are more chic spots around the corner on West Randolph Street, but this location of Wishbone (there’s another at 800 W. Grand Ave., 312-829-3597) is particularly welcoming to the gay and lesbian community. There often is a wait, and for good reason: The food is well prepared, plentiful and affordably priced. Don’t miss the grits with shrimp and bacon.
Lakeview (in addition to all the expected Boys Town places)
Pepper Lounge, 3441 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-665-7377. Inventive, well-executed cuisine, an intimate atmosphere, friendly service and good martinis make Pepper Lounge a favorite. Who’d have thought you’d find a gay-friendly place just a foul ball away from Wrigley Field? Note: Stay away on game days when the crowd may not be as welcoming.
Yoshi’s Cafe, 3257 N. Halsted St., 773-248-6160. Yoshi Katsumura presides over the kitchen while his wife, Nobuko, takes care of the elegant dining room where a casual mood prevails. You can’t make a bad menu choice here. The Tuesday jazz dinners and weekend jazz brunches (gay boys brings their mothers on Sunday) are especially great.
Zoom Kitchen, 620 W. Belmont Ave., 773-325-1400. Nothing fancy here, just home-style food in an upscale cafeteria. Like the Wicker Park location (at 1646 N. Damen Ave., 773-278-7000), this place is a great pick for a fast, cheap and satisfying meal like your mom used to make. Salads are stellar — Zoom won that category in our 1999 Chicago’s Choice Summer Poll — and Sunday brunch is always packed.
North Side:
Andie’s, 5253 N. Clark St. 773-784-8616. A renovation has tripled the size of this restaurant that now is quite elegant. It’s among the best Middle eastern places in town and a longtime favorite of gays and lesbians.
Hoxie’s, 1801 W. Lawrence Ave., 773-989-4800. Moist and tasty Arkansas-style barbecue (similar to the Tennessee version) and Southern cooking have made this place — winner of the Best New Restaurant and Best Place for a Cheap Date categories in our 1998 Chicago’s Choice Dining Poll — a favorite destination for many. Try the corn casserole or the sweet potatoes for a real treat. Desserts are decadent.
Julie Mai’s Le Bistro, 5025 N. Clark St., 773-784-6000. Gay folks love Julie Mai’s place and she rules her den like a character from a vintage movie. She makes all of her guests, especially her gay ones, feel as if she has been preparing for them all day. Unfortunately, when she’s not around, service can be rather haphazard The French food is quite good and the Vietnamese fare is even better. There is an especially good selection for vegetarians. Skip the less-than-spectacular desserts.
South Side
Fireside-Beverly, 10730 S. Western Ave. 773-779-3606. Less well known among the gay community than its North Side sister (at 5739 N. Ravenswood Ave., 773-561-7433), this location actually is better by a notch or two. The service can be a bit sloppy, but the food is well prepared and the atmosphere is delightful. Set in a converted house, the dining rooms are small and cozy and a party atmosphere prevails. This is one of the few gay-friendly South Side spots outside Hyde Park.
North Shore
Brasserie T, 305 S. Happ Rd., Deerfield, 847-446-0444. Owned by chefs/spouses Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand, the food is the main attraction, but not the only reason to visit: The French bistro-style fare meets its match in the beautiful dining room (and an attractive outdoor patio in warmer months), cheerful ambience and impeccable service. If you’re with a group, be certain to order the Blue Plate dessert special featuring tiramisu, a lemon tart, cheesecake and a rootbeer float.
Campagnola, 815 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-475-1600. Recently expanded Campagnola is sure to win your heart. The Italian food, highlighting organic produce and meats, is phenomenal, and the service is friendly, yet efficient.
Northwest suburbs
California Cafe, upper level, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 847-330-1212. Everything on the menu at this local outpost of a West Coast chain — from grilled swordfish with pinot noir sauce to chinois pork tenderloin with wasabi mashed potatoes — is artfully presented. The Wright-inspired decor and stained glass add to the chic atmosphere. Service is efficient.
West suburbs
Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville, 630-983-3000. Spanish tapas are presented in a cozy atmosphere where waiters dote on diners. Choose from among a vast array of hot and cold tapas as well as a number of Spanish specialties, including a selection of paellas. Sister restaurants are located in Northfield (310 S. Happ Rd., 847-784-9300) and Geneva (Granada is at 14 S. State St., 630-262-1000).
South suburbs
Miller Bakery Cafe, 555 S. Lake St., Gary, Ind., 219-938-2229. The Miller Bakery Cafe is an oasis of fine dining. Imaginative dishes share the bill with Continental classics. Since this former bakery also excels at desserts, make certain to save room for at least a shared treat. The artsy, sophisticated clientele will only raise their eyebrows at bad manners.
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Chicago writer Rick Karlin has written about dining for 20 years, and can be heard on “Partners in Dine,” Fridays at 5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. on LesBiGay Radio, AM 1240 (North Side) and AM 1470 (South Side).
