Middle Eastern Restaurant – Lakeview. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.2 One of my absolute favorite brunch spots in the city is a place I always take friends from out of town—specifically for their incredible Kurdish Breakfast. It’s an experience that feels both comforting and exciting every time. You start by picking a type of scrambled egg […]
Italian Restaurant – West Loop. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.2 A friend and I were looking for a Sunday lunch spot in Fulton Market, but most places were fully booked—luckily, this one had an opening. We ordered the Bucatini Cacio e Pepe and the Baked Lasagna, and both were exactly what we needed. The lasagna, especially,
Latin American Restaurant – West Town. Flavor Scale (1-5): 3.0 Some friends and I finally made it to a spot I’d been eyeing for a while—drawn in by strong reviews and the Restaurant Week menu. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. We tried the warm stuffed dates with goat cheese, the Puerto Rican
Chinese Restaurant – Avondale. Flavor Scale (1-5): 3.8 Tucked away in Avondale, this Chinese restaurant is easy to miss—but worth finding. A friend had ordered from here before, so we decided to check it out while in the neighborhood. Don’t let the exterior fool you—the space inside is beautiful and welcoming. The owners were incredibly
Korean Restaurant – Chinatown. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.5 This Korean spot in Chinatown was minimalistic in design with bold, flavorful dishes. Ordering was done through tablets—quick and easy—and the staff were very friendly and attentive. My friend and I tried the Soondubu Jjigae (a rich, spicy stew) and the beef bulgogi bento box. As expected,
Bubble Tea Store – Chinatown. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.3 Daboba is a great boba spot in Chinatown—cute and thoughtfully decorated with a fun, modern vibe. There’s plenty of seating, making it an easy place to relax or catch up with friends. The menu is extensive, but the Brown Sugar Pearl Boba stood out—rich, smooth, and
Ethiopian Restaurant – Uptown. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.7 I finally got to try Ethiopian food for the first time, and it was such an interesting experience! My friend and I ordered the Doro Tibs and the Vegetarian Messob, and let me tell you, the flavors were great. The stew was so rich and flavorful—you could
Filipino Restaurant – Lakeview. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.7 I’ve had this Filipino restaurant on my list for a while, and I’m so glad I finally got to try it! From start to finish, everything was seasoned perfectly and packed with incredible flavor. We started with the Chicken Egg Rolls, which were crispy, flavorful, and a
Japanese Restaurant – South Loop. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.5 My friend and I randomly decided to try this restaurant near museum campus—and wow, we’re so glad we did! The restaurant is chic and cozy, with a minimalist design that made it feel really welcoming. We kicked things off with the Chashu Bun and Chicken Karaage
Pizza Restaurant – Lakeview. Flavor Scale (1-5): 3.9 Over the weekend, my friends and I stumbled upon a little NY-style pizza spot in Lakeview, and it was exactly what I’ve been looking for! (I know, ironic in Chicago, right?) It’s a small place with amazing staff. When we got there, they weren’t technically open yet,