In-restaurant reviews
Asian – Wicker Park. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.5 Quick Overview Mott St. in Wicker Park serves inventive Asian American dishes with standout flavors, from their famous Mott St. burger to unique twists on classics like mango sticky rice with black rice. What to Order Atmosphere Vibe in 5 Words: casual, family-style, modern, bright, welcoming Good […]
Indian – Wicker Park. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.3 Quick Overview A modern Indian gem in Wicker Park with attentive service, romantic ambiance, and beautifully plated dishes served in elegant clay bowls. What to Order Atmosphere Vibe in 5 Words: romantic, modern, warm, intimate, stylish Good For: date nights, anniversary dinners, cozy catch-ups, laid-back lunch, quiet
Spanish Restaurant – River North. Flavor Scale (1-5): 4.5 Spent Easter brunch at this Spanish tapas spot with a group of friends. The place had a dark, cozy vibe with the coolest mix of lights on the ceiling—a great atmosphere. We intended to share everything, but hunger won. The portions were tiny (as tapas go),
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
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,