Fodor's Chicago 2013 by Fodor's

Author:Fodor's [Fodor’s Travel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780876371787
Publisher: Fodor's Travel Publications
Published: 2012-11-27T05:00:00+00:00

Lincoln Park

Fodor’s Choice | Alinea.

$$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Believe the hype and book well in advance. Chicago’s most exciting restaurant demands an adventurous spirit and a serious commitment of time and money. If you have four hours and $210 to spare, the 18-course tasting menu that showcases Grant Achatz’s stunning, cutting-edge food is a fantastic experience. The gastronomic roller coaster takes you on a journey through intriguing aromas, visuals, flavors, and textures. The menu changes frequently, but you might find green beans perched on a pillow that emits nutmeg-scented air, sweetbreads served with burnt bread and toasted hay, and Earl Grey paired with caramelized white chocolate. Though some dishes—they range in size from one to four bites—may look like science projects, there’s nothing gimmicky about the procession of bold and elegant tastes. The hours fly by in the windowless bi-level dining room, aided by the effortless service and muted decor. | Average main: $210 | 1723 N. Halsted St., Lincoln Park | 60614 | 312/867–0110 | www.alinea-restaurant.com | Reservations essential | Jacket required | Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch.

Balena.

$$ | MODERN ITALIAN | Lincoln Park newcomer Balena busted onto the scene with a lot of winning points: the support of culinary powerhouses the Boka Group (Boka, Girl & the Goat, GT Fish & Oyster, Perennial Virant) and The Bristol, a prime location across from Steppenwolf Theater, and a sexy Italian-inspired design that draws a respectable crowd. Be prepared to order plenty, from airy house-made pastas and crispy wood-fired pizzas to Mediterranean coastal fare like prawns with grapes and finger chiles, or Tuscan kale with tonnato and sardines. Dessert is not to be missed, particularly elevated classics like tiramisu with chocolate sauce, coffee streusel, and roasted pear, and the affogato (vanilla gelato with a shot of espresso), here served with cinnamon sugar doughnuts for dipping. | Average main: $22 | 1633 N. Halsted St., Lincoln Park | 60614 | 312/867–3888 | balenachicago.com | No lunch.

Fodor’s Choice | Boka.

$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | If you’re doing Steppenwolf pretheater dinner on North Halsted Street, this unpretentious, though upscale spot gets the foodie stamp of approval, especially now that Charlie Trotter alumnus chef Giuseppe Tentori is in the kitchen. The seasonally driven menu is constantly changing, offering creative fare such as squid with spicy pineapple, chamomile-dusted quail with caramelized fennel, and venison with brussels sprouts, wild rice, dates, juniper berries, and a chestnut cake. The slick lounge and outdoor patio both serve food, so this is a big draw even for those not watching curtain time. | Average main: $35 | 1729 N. Halsted St., Lincoln Park | 60614 | 312/337–6070 | www.bokachicago.com | Reservations essential | No lunch.

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!.

$$ | SPANISH | The name is kitschy cute, and it’s jammed with partying Lincoln Parkers, so you might not think the food is a selling point—but you’d be wrong: expat Spaniards swear this is one of the best Spanish restaurants in town, and the colorful Mediterranean-style interiors encourage the fiesta feel. The

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