SOFTSHELL CRABS
Softshell crabs – those just-molted blue crabs that you eat whole – are back in season. Look for them here:
Blackbird
619 W. Randolph St.
312-715-0708
Caliterra
Wyndham Chicago
633 N. St. Clair St.
312-573-0300
Hugo’s Frog Bar
1024 N. Rush St.
312-640-0999
Mario’s Gold Coast Ristorante,
21 W. Goethe St.
312-944-0199
Rhapsody
65 E. Adams St.
312-786-9911.
Samba Room
22 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
630-753-0985
Shaw’s Crab House
21 E. Hubbard St.
312-527-2722
302 West
302 W. State St., Geneva
630-232-9302
Trattoria No. 10
10 N. Dearborn St. 312-984-1718
OUTDOOR DINING
Athena
212 S. Halsted St.
312-655-0000
Solid Greektown spot with a beautiful patio.
Biloxi Grill
313 E. Liberty St., Wauconda
847-526-2420
Enormous deck overlooking Bangs Lake.
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N. Halsted St.
773-935-5000
Spacious garden is the perfect summer setting for tapas, the perfect summer food.
Chez Joel
1119 W. Taylor St.
312-226-6479
Pretty fenced-in courtyard.
Coco Pazzo Cafe
636 N. St. Clair St.
312-664-2777
Combination sidewalk cafe and open-air dining room.
Coyote’s Mexican Grill
100 E. Roosevelt Rd., Villa Park
630-834-7755.
Tree-filled patio has a fountain and nightly bonfire.
Ixcapuzalco
2919 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773-486-7340
Shaded backyard patio, excellent Mexican food.
Rivers
30 S. Wacker Dr.
312-559-1515
Large outdoor patio overlooks the Chicago River.
South Gate Cafe
655 Forest Ave., Lake Forest
847-234-8800
Tree-shaded patio overlooking Market Square.
Thyme
464 N. Halsted St.
312-226-4300
100-seat garden with plants and illuminated trees may be the city’s most beautiful.
CHEAP EATS
Looking for a good meal without tapping into your IRA? These restaurants recently received favorable reviews in the Tribune’s Good Eating section.
Artopolis Bakery Cafe & Agora
Three forks
306 S. Halsted St.
312-559-9000
Greektown cafe offers array of Mediterranean dishes.
Irish Times Bar and Restaurant
Three forks
8869 Burlington Ave., Brookfield
708-485-8787
Irish specialties lend flavor to a neigborhood pub.
The Lucky Platter
Three forks
514 Main St., Evanston
847-869-4064
Tasty twists on comfort food.
Maiz Restaurant
Four forks
1942 W. Division St.
773-862-1801
Delicious Mexican fare.
Mimi’s Specialty Deli
Three forks
2030 W. Montrose Ave.
773-728-6800
Superior sandwiches make Mimi’s a destination.
Mr. Thai: The House of Noodles and Rice
Three forks
3811 N. Ashland Ave.
773-244-9300
A spiffy, attractive, family-run restaurant with efficient service and nicely turned out dishes.
Nancy’s Pizzeria
Three forks
8700 W. Golf Rd., Niles
847-824-8183
Superior pizza puts weight behind chain’s reputation.
Rambutan
Three forks
3909 W. Belmont Ave.
773-777-3940
Filipino restaurant does justice to its country’s cuisine.
BYOB
You bring the wine; they’ve got the food.
Chinoiserie
509 4th St.
Wilmette
847-256-0306
French-Chinese
Hashalom
2905 W. Devon Ave.
773-465-5675
Israeli and Moroccan
Le Loup Cafe
3348 N. Sheffield Ave.
773-248-1830
French
Moti Mahal
1035 W. Belmont Ave.
773-348-4392
Indian
Munch
1800 W. Grand Ave.
312-226-4914
Contemporary American
Rambutan
3909 W. Belmont Ave.
773-777-3940
Filipino
Salbute
20 E. First St.
Hinsdale
630-920-8077
Mexican
Savoy Truffle
1466 N. Ashland Ave.
773-772-7530
Contemporary American
Tango Sur
3763 N. Southport
773-477-5466
Argentine
Tomboy
5402 N. Clark St.
773-907-0636
Contemporary American
ROOM WITH A VIEW
City
Lake Point Tower
505 N. Lake Shore Dr.
312-644-4050
The view is fabulous, the food less so.
Everest
440 S. LaSalle St.,
312-663-8920
Four-star French cuisine, 40th-floor city and sunset views.
Pegasus
130 S. Halsted St.
312-226-3377
Rooftop garden has a terrific city view.
Riva
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave., 312-644-7482
Upscale seafood restaurant with sweeping views of the lake and lakefront skyline.
Signature Room at the 95th
875 N. Michigan Ave., 312-787-9596
Romantic views at night or during Sunday brunch.
LATE-NIGHT RESTAURANTS
Bar Louie
226 W. Chicago Ave.
312-3370-3313
Casual cafe serving until 4 a.m.
Hong Min
221 W. Cermak Rd.
312-842-5026
Good Chinese food, especially oysters. No liquor. Open until 2 a.m.
Iggy’s
700 N. Milwaukee Ave.
312-829-4449
Pastas and scrambled eggs until 4 a.m. or so.
Miller’s Pub
134 S. Wabash Ave.
312-263-4988
A Loop institution serving barbecued ribs and more until 1 a.m.
Mrs. Park’s Tavern
198 E. Delaware Pl.
312-280-8882
Excellent American cafe; last call is at 1:30 a.m.
Narcisse
710 N. Clark St.
312-787-2675
The food — champagne, caviar, oysters — is as seductive as the atmosphere. Until 1 a.m.
Pasha
642 N. Clark St.
312-397-0100
For the younger crowd. Upscale food, upscale beverages. Until 3 a.m.
Red Light
820 W. Randolph St.
312-733-8880
Late-night munchies in the District Lounge, open until 2-3 a.m.
Twisted Spoke
501 N. Ogden Ave., 312-666-1500
Motorcycle-themed hangout with good pub food. Until 1 a.m.
Watusi
1540 W. North Ave.
773-862-1540
“West Indies Soul Food” serves an appetizers-salads menu until 1 a.m.
SATURDAY BRUNCHES
Why wait until Sunday? Saturday brunches are less crowded.
Bongo Room
1470 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773-489-0690
Brett’s
2011 W. Roscoe St.
773-248-0999
Cafe 28
1800 W. Irving Park Rd.
773-528-2883
Feast
1835 W. North Ave.
773-235-6361
Frontera Grill
445 N. Clark St.
312-661-1434
Heaven on Seven
600 N. Michigan Ave.
312-280-7774
111 N. Wabash Ave.
312-263-6443
John Barleycorn Memorial Pub
658 W. Belden Ave.
773-348-8899
Mossant Bistro
Hotel Monaco
225 N. Wabash Ave.
312-236-9300
Wishbone
1001 W. Washington Blvd.
312-850-2663
3300 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-549-2663
Zinfandel
59 W. Grand Ave.
312-527-1818
DINING & DANCING
For all the diversity of its culinary and musical offerings, Chicago doesn’t pair the two very often. But if you want to dine and dance under one roof, you have a few choices:
Cadillac Ranch
1175 W. Lake St., Barlett
630-830-7200
It’s Tex food at the Ranch, Mex food at the attached Carmelita’s Cocina and dancing in between, including special Swing Dance and ’70s nights.
Green Dolphin Street
2200 N. Ashland Ave.
773-395-0066
Dine splendidly on chef Rick Gresh’s contemporary cuisine, then dance in the attached nightclub (no cover for dinner guests).
Jilly’s Steak Joint
1001 N. Rush St.
312-664-1001
Load up on steaks and chops, then sway to Sinatra and jazz in the piano bar, or disco in the downstairs Retro Club.
Nacional 27
325 W. Huron St.
312-664-2727
This lively nuevo Latino restaurant features deejay Latin music and a dance floor at 10:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Pasha
642 N. Clark St.
312-397-0100
This contemporary restaurant popular with young nightcrawlers features deejay music and a dance floor Fridays and Saturdays.
Plaza Tavern
70 W. Monroe St.
312-977-1940
Beautiful room with a good-sized dance floor and entertainment nightly. Menu includes a number of retro-’40s dishes.
OUR PICKS
ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS
Carlos’
429 Temple Ave.
Highland Park
847-432-0770
The most romantic four-star restaurant in Chicago.
Courtright’s
8989 S. Archer Ave.
Willow Springs
708-839-8000.
The beautiful garden sets Courtright’s apart.
Entre Nous
Fairmont Hotel
200 N. Columbus Dr.
312-565-6655
Lavishly appointed, whisper-quiet dining room. Foundation DINING Room
House of Blues
329 N Dearborn St.
312-923-2035
How Indiana Jones would decorate a restaurant if he had the money.
Geja’s Cafe
340 W. Armitage Ave.
773-281-9101
Very low lighting, flamenco guitar music and fondue for two.
The Greenery
117 North Ave., Barrington
847-381-9000
Dining space is divided into intimate alcoves.
JaponiSante
2044 N. Halsted St.
773-348-8228
Quiet atmosphere, dramatic dcor.
Les Deux Gros
462 Park Blvd.,Glen Ellyn
630-469-4002
Quiet and elegant, with discerning service.
302 West
302 W. State St., Geneva
630-232-9302
Romantically contemporary room with soft jazz music.
Tizi Melloul
531 N. Wells St.
312-670-4338
The theatrical Crescent Room will have you humming “Midnight at the Oasis.”
OUR PICKS
WINE & SPIRITS
Restaurants that make special efforts to provide distinctive and distinguished wine or spirits.
Wine:
Bin 36
339 W. Dearborn St.
312-755-9463
A one-stop wine emporium with a tasting bar, wines by the glass and flight and a retail area.
Courtright’s
8989 S. Archer Ave.
Willow Springs
708-839-8000
Good taste and value.
Hudson Club
504 N. Wells St.
312-467-1947
With 100 wines available by the glass, tasting here can become a career.
The Outpost
3438 N. Clark St.
773-244-1166
Scintillating wines from Down Under.
Vivere
71 W. Monroe St.
312-332-4040
A remarkable list, both in depth and quality of Italian wines, though French and California selections are equally strong.
Spirits:
Buckingham’s
Chicago Hilton & Towers
720 S. Michigan Ave.
312-922-4400
An imposing selection of single-malt Scotch awaits.
Cafe Ba-Ba-ReeBa!
2024 N. Halsted St.
773-935-5000
Sherry, from bone dry to honey-sweet, tops the aperitif selection.
Four Seasons Bar
Four Seasons Hotel
120 E. Delaware Pl.
312-649-2349
A lesson in elegance with silver-shaker martinis, vintage ports, Madeiras and aged Cognacs.
Harvest on Huron
217 W. Huron St.
312-587-9600.
A museum-quality collection of Cognac, Armagnac and Port.
Nacional 27
325 W. Huron St.
312-664-2727
Rum rules the stimulating coctel selection at this lively nuevo latino party spot.
–William Rice
HOT DOGS
Great places to find the great American dog
Gene & Jude’s
2720 N. River Rd.
River Grove
708-452-7634
If your PACE bus is late, there’s a chance the driver stopped here for a meaty hot dog, nestled in a perfectly steamed bun. The counter person will scowl at you if you don’t know the lingo; a hot dog with fries is a “single,” if you please.
Gold Coast Dogs
418 N. State St.
312-527-1222
The best-known hot dog in town, with several locations throughout the city. Great dogs and great toppings. Good burgers, too.
Hank’s Franks
332 N. Michigan Ave.
312-782-4010
Michigan Avenue newcomer has excellent hot dogs, some indoor seating.
Paryky’s Hot Dogs
329 S. Harlem Ave.
Forest Park
708-366-3090
There’s barely room to turn around at this grab-and-go establishment (there are a few outdoor tables), but the hot dogs are consistently good and piping hot.
Superdawg Drive-In
6363 N. Milwaukee Ave.
773-763-0660
No need to get out of your car; this is the last remaining Chicago restaurant with car-hop service. Great secret-recipe dogs. Just look for the place with Maurie and Flaurie, the two personified hot-dog statues, on the roof.
BARBECUE SPOTS
B.J.’s Market
8734 S. Stony Island
773-374-4700
Terrific pulled-pork sandwiches, plus barbecued chicken and rib tips.
Biloxi Grill
313 E. Liberty St.
Wauconda
847-526-2420.
‘Que from New Orleans, Tennessee, South Carolina and more.
Brother Jimmy’s BBQ
2909 N. Sheffield Ave.
773-528-0888
No-cover live blues most nights. Great dry-rub ribs.
Famous Dave’s
739 N. Clark St.
312-266-2400
1126 E. Ogden Ave.
Naperville
630-428-3500 Theatrical decor, but good ribs and live blues.
Hoxie’s
1801 W. Lawrence Ave.
773-989-4800
Several styles of ‘que, all good.
Joe’s Be-Bop Cafe & Jazz Emporium
Navy Pier
600 E. Grand Ave.
312-595-5299
Touristy but fun, with good barbecue and live jazz nightly.
Lem’s Bar-B-Que House
5914 S. State St.
773-684-5007
Grim neighborhood, great ribs. No credit cards.
Leon’s Bar-B-Q
8251 S. Cottage Grove
773-488-4556
Beware the spicy sauce.
N.N. Smokehouse
1465 W. Irving Park Rd.
773-868-4700
Little atmostphere, but good, smoky ribs.
Smoke Daddy
1804 W. Division St.
773-772-6656
Great barbecue in Wicker Park. Live entertainment.
