The May Hit List: Apolonia, Kapitan, Mi Tocaya Antojería, Fiya, and More

Stephen Gillanders, the chef behind inspired fusion restaurant S.K.Y., has set his sights on the Mediterranean with his airy and elegant sophomore restaurant, which opened last month. Named for Gillanders’ grandmother, Apolonia specializes in grilled and wood-fired dishes like smoke-kissed berkshire pork presse and olive oil-roasted mushrooms, housemade pastas such as scallop tagliatelle and jumbo chicken Kiev for two.

Dining status: Open for indoor dining; reservations recommended.

From the team behind the Logan Square Malaysian spot Serai comes the city’s only Peranakan restaurant. Victor Low’s second restaurant celebrates the Chinese, Malay, Javanese, and other influences that infuse this diaspora cuisine, devised by descendants of early Chinese migrants (also called Nyonya), namely via shareable all-day dishes like pie tee, crispy pastry shells filled with a savory vegetable filling with shrimp; and nasi lemak, the iconic Malaysian coconut rice dish with peanuts and hard-boiled egg.

Dining status: Open for indoor dining, takeout and delivery. Book a table here or call 773-661-2281; order online here.

This staple sandwich shop named for the late Jerry Garcia slaps everything under the sun between two pieces of bread — nearly all of it housemade. We especially love the classic buttermilk-marinated fried chicken on challah, the fried tofu with cheddar and chipotle chutney on multigrain, and the pot-roast special with olive-pepper relish and mozzarella on a roll. Did we mention Jerry’s also boasts an excellent selection of craft beer and whiskeys? Since COVID, they’ve added floor air purifiers and outdoor dining bubbles (’til the chill is gone) to their fine patio overlooking Giddings Plaza.

Dining status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, takeout and delivery. Order takeout here.

The third Chicago outpost of this superfun fried chicken ‘n fish joint has come to red-hot West Town, just in time for Negroni slushy season. Located in the former Rookery space, the airy, industrial interior boasts well-spaced seating around a centralized, square-shaped bar. Picnic tables dot the sizable patio, which faces bustling Chicago Ave. for excellent people watching.

Dining status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining, takeout and delivery. Order takeout here, and delivery here.

For the first time since last October, this iconic breakfast joint has reopened for indoor dining. Alongside their famous drip coffee, expect a pared-down lineup of favorites, including fluffy omelets with fillings like fresh spinach or sour cream and bacon bits, crisp waffles and stacks of tender pancakes with maple syrup and whipped butter. New COVID-era safety measures apply, like more spaced-out seating and condiments solely on request. But you’ll still get a complimentary pack of Milk Duds with your order.

Dining status: Open for indoor and outdoor dining and takeout. Order takeout here.

Modern Jewish deli Steingold’s has reopened in a new, larger location next to the Music Box Theater on the Southport Corridor. More space means an expanded menu, including more varieties of housemade bagels and cream cheese, new sandwiches like beef and pastrami patty melts, knishes and “walk to Wrigley” offerings like bagel dogs on sticks.

Dining status: Open for sidewalk dining and takeout and delivery. Order online here.

This Beverly sandwich spot from owner Brian Flippin slings excellent loaded hoagies with turkey or vegetables and cheese, plus Philly-style cheesesteaks with melted provolone and peppers. Everything starts with house marinades or ends with a drizzle of house-infused hoagy oil. You’ll also find a garden of hearty salad options if you’d rather not have your lunch on buttered French bread.

Dining status: Open for takeout and delivery. Order here.

Indoor dining is back at Diana Dávila’s beloved Mexican spot on West Logan Blvd. Taste Dávila’s roots in San Luis Potosi via enchiladas potosinas, with chile-spiced masa stuffed with queso ranchero, black beans and salsa; or the taquerias of Puebla via tinga de pollo poblana, with chicken simmered in chipotle en adobo. Match it up with an ancestral corn old fashioned, with Abasolo whiskey, piloncillo (raw cane sugar) and Angostura bitters. And watch this space: Patio dining returns soon.

Dining status: Open for indoor dining, takeout and delivery. Order online here.

Fiya represents a collage of the Levantine soul food you’d find all over Israel’s neighborhood eateries, from husband-wife team Mindy Friedler and Mark Bires. Think khachapuri (Georgian bread boats) stuffed with shakshuka and cheese, hummus with spiced cauliflower and wood-fired pita, oven-roasted tilapia with red-pepper sauce, and banana cake with tahina brown-butter frosting. The socially distanced room is equipped with HEPA air filtration, and the serene, plant-filled back patio is one of our favorites in the city.

Dining status: Open for indoor and patio dining, and takeout and delivery. Order online here.

This agave-focused cocktail den from chef Rick Bayless’s daughter Lanie Bayless has reopened its subterranean bar once more. As warm weather approaches, we’re craving the spicy and summery Habañero, Passion Fruit, with espadín mezcal, huana guanabana liqueur, passion fruit, habañero-spiced agave and lime. Pair it with Mexican drinking snacks and handmade tacos (ahem: crispy lengua, with seared wagyu beef tongue and fresh ramp salsa verde). If you’re in the mood for al fresco happy hour, Sotano’s patio is a veritable jungle oasis in an alley.

Dining status: Open for indoor and patio dining, takeout and delivery. Order online here.