| Restaurant | Neighborhood | Cuisine |
Gaztro-wagon
5973 N. Clark St.
773-942-6152
From its Edgewater storefront, the Gaztro-wagon, Chicago's first gourmet food truck, launched in July 2010, rolls around the city offering upscale urban street fare, such as its signature naan-wich, wrapping Indian-style flatbread around such fillings as wild boar belly, pork shoulder, smoked salmon and lamb. Get updates on the food truck's whereabouts via Twitter or online or sign up to get text messages.
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| Edgewater | Burgers - Sandwiches
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Phoenix Lounge
201 N State St
theWit Hotel
312-239-9500
On the second floor of the stylish Wit Hotel, Phoenix Lounge hosts local and emerging musicians every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Focusing on specialty cocktails like Manhattans, Sazeracs and Caipirinhas, the lounge also serves seasonal small plates from cibo matto executive chef Todd Stein such as veal meatballs, fried rock shrimp and tuna tartare.
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| Loop / Downtown | Bar - Club
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Boiler Room
2210 N. California Ave.
773-276-5625
Logan Square got another hip new joint in July 2010, serving a small menu of pizza slices and whole pies, craft beers and Jameson whiskey on draft. Specialty cocktails are also worth a try, like the 1988, rum chata, espresso vodka and Absolut vanilla
served up with a side of Cinnamon Toast Crunch. Lighting, tables and doors are made from reclaimed materials.
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| Logan Square | Bar - Club
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Mia Figlia
5304 W. Devon Ave.
773-792-8300
Italian for "my daughter," Mia Figlia, opened in Summer 2010, serves all of your traditional Italian faves like calamari, caprese salad, ravioli, chicken Parmesan, osso bucco, lasagna and pizza. Daily specials include a catch of the day and seasonal risotto.
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| Forest Glen - Edgebrook - Sauganash | Italian
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Yolk - Streeterville
355 E. Ohio St.
312-822-YOLK
Yolk specializes in all things egg — omelets, scramblers, frittatas, and even an egg-topped breakfast pizza, plus pancakes, French toast, crepes, oatmeal, specialty juices and their own private-labeled premium coffee. The lunch menu features salads and sandwiches. Other locations are in the South Loop and River North.
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| Streeterville | Breakfast - Brunch
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Pensiero
Margarita European Inn
1566 Oak Ave.
847-475-7779
Pensiero Ristorante is the latest incarnation of Va Pensiero, started in 1989 by then-Chef/Owner Peggy Ryan. After a 2010 reconcepting under proprietor Michael W. Pure, owner of Evanston's Margarita European Inn, where Pensiero resides, Pensiero Ristorante strives to continue its reputation with contemporary Italian food made from the finest ingredients from around the globe paired with locally sourced products prepared thoughtfully and innovatively.
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| North Shore | Italian
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Cupcake Gallery
1319 W. Wilson Ave.
773-334-5450
Specialty cupcakes at this Uptown shop include banana pudding, peach cobbler and the Elvis: banana cake with peanut butter frosting, a fried banana slice and chocolate sauce. The shop also started operating a mobile truck in July 2010 ... follow @WeBakeCupcakes on Twitter for its whereabouts.
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| Uptown | Dessert
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La Madia
59 W Grand Ave
(312) 329-0400
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| River North | Italian
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Chalavi
2931 W. Touhy Ave.
773-338-9640
This counter-service kosher spot, one of the city's few cholov Yisroel dairy restaurants, opened in August 2010, and serves breakfast all day, plus tuna and other fish dishes, calzones, salads, sandwiches, pasta and soup. Closed Friday nights and Saturdays.
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| Rogers Park | Breakfast - Brunch
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Benchmark
1510 N. Wells St.
312-649-9640
Four Corners Tavern Group — the people behind Gaslight, Brownstone, Schoolyard and many of your other favorite neighborhood bars — stepped it up a notch with this Old Town pub, which sets itself apart with a retractable roof, TVs galore and eats like lollipop lamb chops and Korean steak tacos.
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| Old Town | Bar - Club
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