The February Hit List: Shang Noodle, Lem’s, Wherewithall, and More

Tucked inside the Hilton Homewood Suites, the South Loop outpost of Shang Noodle delivers on comfort. The menu is packed with housemade noodles that make their way into lobster soup, pan-fried chow mein, and a signature spaghetti dish with shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels. Beyond noodles, you’ll find a range of dim sum, from egg yolk custard buns to pork- and shrimp-stuffed shumai. And if you’re feeling chilled to the bone (who isn’t right now?), you can get that warming, numbing Sichuan buzz from twice-cooked pork belly and mapo tofu.

There is nothing cozier than sitting in a velvet armchair in front of a fire. Well, maybe if you’re eating pigs in a blanket dunked in spicy brown mustard while you’re there. You can do just that at The Graduate Homestead Room, a restaurant and cocktail bar in The Graduate Hotel. Pair your snacks with a playful cocktail, like The Wet Bandits (strawberry vodka, cranberry, soda, basil, lemon) or Abe Froman? The Sausage King of Chicago!? (moscato, apple pucker, pineapple, fresh apple). And seats at the bar are no slouch either, since the stools blissfully have backs and sides. Hopefully other bars will start to take note.

Along the Fox River you’ll find The Graceful Ordinary, a finessed take on the Colonial-era “Ordinary” or town tavern. The spot, which opened in November, comes from a husband-and-wife team, Chef Chris Curren (Blue 13) and hospitality vet Megan Curran. There, they offer comforting, contemporary options like acorn squash ravioli with brown butter and a play on tuna conserva with puffed black rice. Many of the dishes get a hint of fire from their 12-foot open hearth — like the wood-roasted Slagel Farm chicken breast with truffle jus and the dry-aged rib eye with smoked cauliflower puree. That’s certainly one way to stay warm this month.

Creamy macaroni and cheese, wild mushroom rigatoni, and spinach lasagna are just a few of the rich and hearty options you’ll find at The Exchange. Though Chef Brian Huston (of The Publican and Evanston’s Boltwood) can lighten things up too, if you’d like. Black pepper tofu with pickled zucchini, anyone? Whatever you choose, you can enjoy your meal in the sprawling architectural marvel that is the atrium. If you want something more intimate, you can grab a drink — like a Flower and Ash with mezcal, lime, and orange flower water — in the Listening Room. And don’t sleep on the country loaves made at The Exchange’s bakery. Pick up a few to bring home and enjoy at your leisure. Fresh bread makes a pretty good Valentine’s Day gift, FYI.

Wherewithall is an elegant spot by the James Beard award-winning team and couple behind Parachute, Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark. While the menu is ever-changing, the kitchen promises four stunning courses for $85 (plus $55 for beverage pairings). It’s an impressive date-night spot for this month of romance. Though you can absolutely enjoy it solo at the bar — with options like pork head terrine, steak frites with vadouvan-laced butter, and a vegetarian cassoulet (with Rancho Gordo beans, of course).

It’s hard to talk about Valentine’s Day month without mentioning Ella Elli, one of the most romantic spots in the city. Velvet seating, private booths, a fireplace, and soft lighting give the space an intimate feel. And the menu is just as charming, featuring confit sunchokes with apple cider agrodolce, brussels sprout pizza with pancetta and roasted garlic cream, and yellowtail crudo layered with thinly sliced nectarines. Chocolate sauce-drenched profiteroles shouldn’t be missed either.

In a recent guide to eating on the South Side, Chef Cliff Rome mentioned Lem’s, the first Black-owned barbecue spot in Chicago. He recommends the hot link and wing tip combo — though with a 60-year history, the Lem’s menu doesn’t have any weak links, so to speak. Head over there for a rib-sticking meal or order catering for your next event. Just make sure to get extra Lem’s signature barbecue sauce and plenty of soft white bread to sop it up.

Call (773) 994-2428 for more information.

For those who love an experience with their meal, newly opened The X Pot (with a Vegas outpost in The Venetian), offers just that. The vibe is modern and wild, with robot servers, dry ice fog, and light projections. The food is equally as showy — the A5 wagyu beef is flown in every day from Japan. While you can opt for the chef’s tasting menu, you can also go a la carte, dipping your meat, noodles, and vegetables into beef-, chicken-, mushroom-, and even lobster-based broths. It’s as Vegas-y as it sounds and a welcome reprieve from a winter stuck at home.

Call (312) 585-8655 for more information.

Durian, holy basil, Makrut limes, fish balls, and a host of tough-to-find Thai ingredients are all available at Talard Thai Asian Market. There’s also a wide selection of cult-favorite Mama instant noodles and chips — nostalgic convenience store staples for the founders, Supasin “Pete” Ratchadapronvanich and Simon Atapan. After your shopping, be sure to stop at the market’s hot food bar for papaya salad, stir-fries, curries, and crispy pork belly.

Call (773) 942-6566 for more information.

Chef Erick Williams (Virtue) recently opened this takeout-only spot in the old Chef Luciano’s space with bright and comforting options, like gumbo with golden rice and a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. Williams is sticking to a casual, everyday menu, continuing the vibe created by Chef Luciano’s owners David and Rocky Gupta. But he’s bringing his philanthropic sensibilities with him from Virtue, offering free meals to homeless people and underserved communities. What’s more, he enlisted Stephanie Hart of Brown Sugar Bakery for the baked goods and desserts. There’s nothing sweeter than that.

Call (312) 326-0062 for more information.