Apolonia (Chicago)
It had been a hot second since I went to Apolonia, and I genuinely wanted to know if it would still hit the way I remembered. I first went shortly after they opened in 2021 and had a great experience, but I hadn’t been back in a while. This time, my fellow diners and I […]
Obelix (Chicago)
Obélix: French, but with a mischievous wink If I’m in the mood for “French… but make it bold, risk-taking, and a little avant-garde,” Obélix is exactly the kind of place that makes me order like calories don’t exist and tomorrow is a mythical concept. The room sets the tone immediately: warm, rich colors (that maroon/beige/brown palette is doing overtime), […]
Crying Tiger (Chicago)
Crying Tiger has quickly become one of those Chicago restaurants people The early online sentiment tells a consistent story: bold flavors, real heat, polished service, and a welcome departure from the overly sweet, overly safe version of Southeast Asian food many diners have come to expect. It’s the kind of place that attracts both neighborhood regulars and […]
II Carciofo (Chicago)
I was genuinely excited to try Il Carciofo. Between watching Joe Flamm on Top Chef, following his career in Chicago, and seeing the success of Rosemary, this felt like a must-try. Overall, the experience was a positive one, but it also revealed a few operational gaps that keep it from fully delivering on its potential. […]
Amaru
Here’s your original review—now seasoned, sautéed, and served with a little extra flavor. It’s got the warmth of someone who knows good food, the honesty of someone who’s been to a few too many mediocre places, and a touch of that “Why is this happening?” comedy à la Sebastian Maniscalco. Review: Amaru – A Latin […]
Hiro Bar Izakaya
Hiro Izakaya – Where Tokyo Spirit Meets Chicago… Kinda Let me just start by saying—I was not upset when Porto left this space. While Chicago is lacking in Portuguese restaurants, Porto felt overpriced, under-delivered on several fronts, and never quite got their shit together. So when Hiro Izakaya opened this spring, I was eager to […]
Mariscos La Costa (Chicago, IL)
Revisiting an Old Favorite: Mariscos La Costa (Ashland Location) One of my favorite little joys? Revisiting an old favorite and remembering exactly why you fell in love with it in the first place. That was the case when I recently made my way back to Mariscos La Costa—and let’s just say, it had been a […]
La Licor Panamericana
A Flavorful Adventure with a Few Bumps After a recent trip to Costa Rica, where I stayed at the Hilton Andes resort and enjoyed their South American small plates concept, I was excited to hear about La Licor Panamericana offering something similar. Naturally, I had to check it out. First Impressions: Inviting and Thoughtful Design […]
Mirra: Where South Asia and Mexico High-Five Over a Perfectly Spiced Taco
You know how sometimes fusion restaurants feel like they just threw random ingredients together and hoped for the best? Yeah, Mirra is the exact opposite. This place, launched in July 2024 by chefs Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohijar, along with bartender David Mor, blends South Asian and Mexican flavors in a way that actually makes […]