The June Hit List: En Passant, mfk, Giant, The Hot Dog Box, and More

The pint-sized first solo venture of chef Sam Engelhardt (Au Cheval) features sustaining, globe-trotting dishes with a European bent. Think chicken-liver mousse with orange marmalade, fennel sausages with Calabrian chile caramel, and miso-glazed halibut with dill-sake beurre blanc. Heads up: It’s BYO for now, and seating is limited — as in, make a reservation without delay.

Oh, how we’ve missed the breezy seaside-esque environs at this subterranean haven for coastal Spanish delights. With a fully vaxxed staff and a fresh coat of paint, mfk finally returns for service on June 17, with reservations open now. So book your spot and prepare for porrones of fizzy Spanish wine, vinegary boquerones and toasty fideos with fat shrimp and saffron cream. Check their site for updated protocols, including a gentle ask that all customers get vaccinated before dining in.

This charming trattoria has been a fixture of Old Town for 40 years, serving no-brainer Italian American favorites like burrata caprese streaked with balsamic syrup, chicken Vesuvio, and creamy penne alla vodka. A lush, enclosed back patio awaits beyond the throwback dining room, like a secret garden.

Oozing, crunchy-edged pressed ham and cheese sandwiches make this Hermosa storefront a great stop for carryout lunch. While you’re there, stock up on Mexican pastries like conchas, cookies, pan dulce and stellar occasion cakes. Carryout only; call 773-252-7302.

A neighborhood staple for over a century, Fireside is the kind of spot you pop into on a random Wednesday when in need of comfort, a cold beer and an answer to the sometimes impossible question of “What do I feel like eating?” How about a succulent rotisserie chicken, smoked gouda burger or hearty chopped salad? There are no wrong answers here, just relaxing good times.

In case you weren’t already convinced that there’s never been a better time to drink wine in Chicago, enter Verve Wine & Provisions. The newest link of this bicoastal boutique wine shop chain — also in New York and San Francisco — upped the ante with an airy, tile-and marble-bar, and menu of wine-loving bites from chef Ryan Epp (Roister, Per Se). We have our eye on the mussels with artichoke pistou, and bone marrow with truffle marmalade, to name a few. Ask what to drink with said fare, and the refreshingly unpretentious staff will lead you right.

Yes, we know Chicago isn’t short on stellar hot dog stands. But this Bronzeville storefront from Bobby Morelli and nine-year-old daughter Brooklyn is carving out an encased-meats niche all its own, with creations like filet mignon dogs, and toppings like cabbage and barbecue sauce, or housemade cranberry honey mustard with collards. Plus, how many hot dog stands can you name that serve shortbread cookie fries? More info here.

Jason Vincent’s beloved Logan Square spot is back for full-service dining after a year-plus traversing everything from takeout to meal relief and a roving lunchtime food truck. There’s a new menu, which means hello, goat cheese cannolini and cold fried chicken with ramps and peach jam; goodbye uni shooters and sortalini. Don’t worry, though: The infinitely layered lasagna and buttery tagliatelle with crab aren’t going anywhere.

This Chinatown newcomer specializes in Fujianese dishes for carryout and delivery. We’re loving the egg noodles in peanut sauce, steamed pork-filled Shaxian dumplings, and pan-fried beef bao, which are crisp outside and fluffy and savory inside. Order online.

Comfy all-day staples abound at this family-friendly cafe in the heart of Glencoe. Think custardy, seasonally rotating vegetable quiche; sustaining salads like fig and kale; and entrees from roasted chicken pot pie to summery ratatouille with mozzarella. Ravinia-goers, take note: With the welcomed return of this beloved outdoor concert series, consider grabbing a gourmet boxed meal to enjoy with those sorely missed live tunes.