Okay, where were we?
5. Province - 161 N. Jefferson St.
If you're on a tight budget like me, a place like Province is going to be reserved for a special occasion. It's not outrageously expensive, but if you want a full three course meal, you're probably going to end up dropping a little dough. Alex and I went here to celebrate our one year anniversary of dating. We were drawn in by the promise of farm-to-table food with a Latin American influence. We actually kept things wallet-friendly by splitting an appetizer and entree, which often works for us because restaurant portions run so big. I think our main course was a lamb dish and oh my was it good. Mouthwatering good. And I don't know about you, but I just feel better about going out and eating local, sustainable foods. Alex and I have been really striving to eat more organic, healthy, whole foods, and that factored into our choice of Province for our big date. It was perfect. Classy atmosphere, delicious food, and we got to dress up all fancy and spend a night out on the town. What's better than that?
4. Crust - 2056 W. Division
Oh how I love pizza. As you can probably already tell, since Crust is the second pizza place to make my top ten list. But Santullos is more like one of those places you used to hit up after a late night boozing with friends in college. Crust has a laid back ambience, but none of the grease. There's a big emphasis on organic, locally sourced ingredients, and I can taste it in every bite. Crisp crusts, lots of fresh greens, and nothing tastes too heavy. I've been three or four times and I've never been disappointed. Plus, they change their menu, seasonally, I think, so there's been a nice rotation since my first visit. I also considered another nearby pizzeria for my top ten list. Piece, which is also a brewery, makes a kick ass pie and decent beer, but it is extremely popular, which was not a plus. It just gets way too crowded and loud for me. I get cranky when I have to scream across a two-foot table at my date. So Crust wins.
3. 90 Miles Cuban Cafe - 2540 W. Armitage
My book club ladies found this place for me. I think I dragged Alex back like a week later, I liked it so much. I love that this place is BYOB and has an awesome patio. I haven't found it easy to find a place with both. The portion sizes here are enormous, so now when I go with Alex, we usually split some appetizers and an entree plate. The empanadas are awesome, especially the goat cheese and chorizo varieties. And the veggie platter, which comes with fried plantains and black beans and rice, has never let us down. Even though it's fun for date night, the enormous homemade pitchers of sangria (you add the wine!) makes this a great place for a girls night out with lots of lady friends.
2. Milk & Honey Cafe - 1920 W. Division
I don't even remember what brought us here the first time. But everything about the experience was delightful. I think we've ordered pretty much the same thing every time we've gone back, too. The Huevos Rancheros, which come sizzling hot in a big ceramic casserole dish, and the buttermilk pancakes, which are served with different fruit toppings each time. This place is crazy crowded, every time, and for good reason. The coffee is great, the mimosas are great (including the blood orange kind -- tart and delicious!) and the food is even better. I think I also remember stopping by for a sandwich to-go once, and devouring every bite. Everything Milk & Honey does, it does well, as far as I can tell.
Drumroll please....
My very favorite restaurant in Chicago (out of the limited number of restaurants I've been able to enjoy in under a year) is:
1. Handlebar - 2311 W. North Ave.
And I'm not even a vegetarian. Yes, Handlebar has a meatless menu, and it's still this carnivore's favorite Chicago eatery. It's just that the smoked gouda mac n' cheese makes up for all the absence of meat in the world. It is so good. Plus, I can keep my annoying indecision in check at Handlebar -- the menu allows you to make a meal of three side dishes, choosing from a list that includes the mac n' cheese, collard greens, cheddar grits, fried plantains, and so much more. When Alex and I first moved to Chicago, the friends we crashed with for our first month brought us to Handlebar for a cheap and easy dinner out. Little did we know we'd end up renting an apartment literally around the corner from this awesome dive, which attracts lots of bikers (the non crotch-rocket kind) and other fun, edgy folks. If anyone's familiar with the skateboarding documentary Dogtown and Z- Boys, Alex and I once spotted Tony Alva and his crew dining two tables away from us. Alex, who is a pretty sweet skateboarder himself, was impressed. I was a totally star struck.
Tony Alva
But anyway, back to Handlebar. The food is great, and the atmosphere is just as good. I love the little patio out back, nestled in between buildings. Here's a corner of it, decked out with sparkly lights a couple weeks ago.
This has become our go-to place for drinks on the weekend when we're not feeling terribly ambitious, too. I mean, it's right around the corner, we don't have to worry about driving home, the beer list is good, and a glass of wine is cheap. Win, win, win, win.
Seriously, if you're in Chicago, go here. Whether you're veggie or not, you'll love it. I promise.
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