If you’re craving Vietnamese food, you might think you’d have to head to Argyle Street in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. However, you can also get a bowl at a tiny restaurant in Glenview. Bun Cha Hanoi 1705 Milwaukee Ave., Glenview 847-813-9150
Noodles are one of my favorite things to eat, especially if they’re used in Thai recipes. Fortunately, I found a new Thai restaurant in Old Town where they’re using both rice and egg noodles in two popular dishes. Hom Mali Thai and Sushi 417 W. North Ave. 312-664-3400
Chicago has seen a wave of microbrewers in recent years. One of the most recent also happens to have one of the city’s best bread programs. Not only bread, but pizza! The same baker is in charge of all of the dough made in-house. Middle Brow Bungalow 2840 W. Armitage Ave. 773-687-9076
Fat Tuesday is right around the corner. There are several traditional dishes to eat before Lent, including the paczki, of course, from the Polish community. But in New Orleans, where Mardi Gras is in full-swing, you’re more likely to find bowls of gumbo over the next few days. Nita’s Gumbo 4153 183rd St., Country Club Hills … Continued
In terms of Korean food, too often people only think about grilled short ribs, kimchi or rice bowls. But there’s another dish – usually found on menus where drinking beer is involved – that combines spicy chicken and melted cheese. It’s now available on several menus around town. Agit Bar & Grill 9098 W. Golf … Continued
What ever happened to happy hour? There’s a bar on the Near North Side where the kitchen definitely punches above its weight, because not only do they offer a few happy hour specials during the week, their kitchen menu is full of delicious surprises you’d never expect to find in a tavern. Good Measure 226 … Continued
The hottest restaurant in Park Ridge is packing them in, not only because of their large menu, but also due to their different approach to some American classics. Make Room for Truman 550 W. Touhy Ave., Park Ridge 847-692-6205
A beloved barbecue joint that opened 11 years ago in North Chicago has been quietly attracting a devoted following, ever since it moved to Waukegan in 2012. Big Ed’s BBQ 4030 Northpoint Blvd., Waukegan 847-473-5333
New Zealand is known for its breathtaking scenery, worthy of a “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, but one of that country’s best-known coffeehouses has been quietly serving breakfast and lunch to Loop workers for about a year. Mojo Coffee 200 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago 312-631-3881
A McKinley Park bakery is a homecoming of sorts for a local family. After opening in Pilsen in 2003, they moved to Florida five years ago. But the family couldn’t keep away. So a few months ago, they re-opened on 35th Street, now focusing primarily on cakes. One of them is called a chocoflan, and it’s … Continued
Restaurants come and go all the time, but it was a surprise in the food community when Grace suddenly shut its doors last year in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. A legal dispute between the chef, GM and owner led to a high-profile vacancy. However, a new restaurant called Yugen opened in the space by an all-female … Continued