1. All Well
WHAT: Oriole’s Noah Sandoval and Larry Feldmeier introduce this more relaxed spot, with prix fixe and à la carte menus.
WHY: We’ll eat anywhere these two are cooking.
WHERE: 111 N. Carpenter St., West Loop Website
(Bad Butter)
2. Bad Butter
WHAT: The pastry pop-up lands a brick-and-mortar café.
WHY: You may know Dan Koester, the baker behind Bad Butter, for such viral treats as the Chicago croissant dog.
WHERE: 1655 W. Cortland St., Bucktown Website
(Mariela)
3. Mariela
WHAT: The latest from the Mirra crew, Mariela serves an all-day coastal seafood menu.
WHY: Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohajir bring their signature style to dishes like laksa oysters.
WHERE: 1 W. Washington St., Loop Website
(Labriola Italian Specialities)
4. Labriola Italian Specialties
WHAT: Rich Labriola leans into housemade pastas and pizza.
WHY: With a sleek yet comfortable vibe, this works equally well for date nights and group dinners.
WHERE: 852 W. Fulton Market, West Loop Website
5. Beaumont’s
WHAT: Remember the 4 a.m. bar of the same name? It’s now an American eatery.
WHY: Johnny Besch serves upscale bites like shrimp cocktail with michelada cocktail sauce.
WHERE: 2020 N. Halsted St., Lincoln Park Website
(Melanie Ahn/The Alley Cat)
6. The Alley Cat
WHAT: The Paulie Gee’s team goes beyond pizza with a neighborhood bar.
WHY: The $12 cocktails and fun snacks like brandade fish sticks make it an easy pick.
WHERE: 2013 W. Division St., Ukrainian Village Website
(Marzor)
7. Mazor
WHAT: Fresh masa dishes like blue-corn steak quesadillas from Cristian Orozco.
WHY: Get to know the up-and-comer, who made his name at Glen Ellyn’s Five O Four Kitchen.
WHERE: 485 N. Milwaukee Ave., Fulton River District Website
(Nick Podraza/The Ives)
8. The Ives
WHAT: A Boka revamp of Cherry Circle Room.
WHY: Tableside prime rib and other retro touches entice.
WHERE: 12 S. Michigan Ave., Loop Website
(Keni Rosales/Naia)
9. Naia
WHAT: A slick Mediterranean place from DineAmic.
WHY: The bilevel riverside patio is summer’s hot spot.
WHERE: 300 N. La Salle Dr., River North Website
10. Discourse Coffee
WHAT: A permanent location for the former café pop-up.
WHY: Expand your definition of coffee with out-there drinks like the Motorhead, with pork fat and apple caramel.
WHERE: 952 W. Fulton Market, West Loop Website