So your kitchen consists of a hotplate and a pot. That’s OK–even if that pot hasn’t been cleaned since the Clinton administration–you can still savor a home-cooked meal. It just won’t be cooked at your home. Chicago boasts an eclectic mix of top-notch restaurants located in rehabbed residences, offering everything from juicy steaks to jonnycakes. So sit back and relax–there’s a chef in the house.
A Tavola
Chef/owner Dan Bocik had been serving his sophisticated Italian food in Ukrainian Village for four years when the vintage two-flat next to his restaurant went on the market. Jumping at the chance to own rather than rent, he bought the century-old building and, together with family members and staff, spent a year rehabbing the space and relocating his restaurant to the shiny new digs. Bocik even lived in the upstairs apartment for a while before converting it to a private dining room for events and his popular weekly cooking classes. The simple wood-floored, 10-table dining room is the perfect setting for Bocik’s carefully crafted, classic Italian dishes, such as prosciutto-wrapped veal medallions and spinach and cheese ravioli in walnut cream sauce. His gnocchi in brown butter sauce alone will make you want to move in. 2148 W. Chicago Ave. 773-276-7567.
Chicago Pizza and
Oven Grinder Company
This Lincoln Park pizza joint is the kind of place you want to tell your friends about–but at one point in time, that would’ve gotten you killed. That’s because this brownstone is rumored to have been a lookout post for Al Capone and his cronies, who used it to deadly effect on Feb. 14, 1929, when they raided the garage across the street and assassinated seven men in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. The place has spent more than a decade creating a calmer, gentler kind of reputation–as the home of the pizza pot pie. “Think pizza in a bowl, with layers of cheese, homemade sauce and toppings,” says employee Cathy Gallanis. We say, where do you keep the forks? 2121 N. Clark St. 773-248-2570.
Jane’s
Cozy, personable, warm, inviting. That’s how manager Jimmy Stella describes Jane’s, a longtime favorite of Bucktown’s haute and hungry. Built in 1921, this single-story-home-turned-bistro oozes charm with exposed-brick walls covered with original art, white curtains, and twinkling tea lights. The contemporary, seasonal menu features entrees like grilled beef tenderloin, seared sea bass and a range of vegetarian-friendly options, plus hearty brunch-time fare on the weekends (don’t miss the banana-nut French toast). In a nieghborhood overrun with the hip and sleek restaurants, comfy Jane’s is as welcome as your favorite armchair. 1655 W. Cortland St. 773-862-5263.
Rose Angelis
It’s just like eating in Mama’s dining room at this popular Lincoln Park trattoria, where folks tuck into generous portions of homemade pastas like duck-filled tortellini and rich, hearty lasagna in one of the restaurant’s intimate, interconnected rooms. Although it’s all about Italian, this spot’s roots are actually German. “The building was originally a German bakery,” says general manager Tom Foley. “And the baker lived and worked here.” In fact, Foley says first-time customers often drive by and think they’ve passed a house rather than a restaurant. And that’s OK by him. “I want people to feel like they’re coming to our house for dinner, not to a business.” 1314 W. Wrightwood Ave. 773-296-0081
Glory
Think upscale clam shack and you’ll understand the concept behind this cute-as-whoopie-pie Bucktown eatery. Chef/owner Sharon Cohen transformed this 1920s bungalow into a veritable temple of New England culture and cuisine. “I wanted it to be like a home you’d find going up the coast,” she says. Mission accomplished. Photos hanging on exposed brick walls capture scenes from the region while diners feast on its spoils: lobster rolls; jonnycakes (think cornbread pancakes) topped with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and capers; Vermont cheddar cheese soup; and Yankee pot roast. Discuss the finer points of Rhode Island architecture over lobster upstairs or cheer on the Patriots with a beer at the downstairs bar. 1952 N. Damen Ave. 773-235-7400.
