The March Hit List: Porto, Bar Goa, Marshall’s Landing, and More

Goa hit Hubbard last fall and it’s been hoppin’ ever since. From the co-owners of Rooh, this vibrant gastropub offers the taste and feel of Goa — a tropical paradise on the white sand beaches of India. Since Goa was a longtime Portuguese colony, Bar Goa brings together Indian seaside classics with Portuguese influence, like the pork vindaloo poi-wich with pineapple and jicama salsa. Whether you go for the butter chicken croquettes or the grilled paneer, be sure to bring all the tropical vibes with a drink from the cocktail menu, preferably something made with feni, a pungent Goan-made liquor.

Need a new place to get some work done? Head to Marshall’s Landing, a light-flooded space on the second floor of Merchandise Mart. There are lots of spots to post up, from cushy banquettes to couches and lounge chairs. The menu might provide some distraction though, with a crispy onion-topped short rib sandwich, heirloom tomato soup, and an avocado toast (while overhyped, it does make a great lunch option). And when the work is done, the bar is the place to be, especially on Thursdays when the special is “mega margs and mai tais.”

You can do pick-up or delivery from Upton Naturals’ The Updog Stand, a spot where vegans can finally partake in the Chicago hot dog craze. Yes, these kosher beef-inspired hot dogs are fully vegan and come with all the classic toppings and hand-cut fries. If you don’t feel like doing a full Chicago dog, there are plenty of other choices, like the elote dog with corn salsa and vegan mayo or NY-style dog with yellow mustard and grilled onions. There’s even a nacho dog topped with refreshing pico de gallo. With no meat in sight.

Call 331-245-3952 for pick-up or delivery.

A short trip out to the burbs should land you at Greenwood, a refined but approachable bar and grill in Highwood. The space is sprawling, with lots of outdoor seating when and if the weather cooperates. Menu standouts include piping-hot cornbread served in a cast iron skillet with melting honey butter, Scottish salmon with a mustard-soy glaze, and a griddled double cheeseburger unapologetically topped with melty American cheese. And what better excuse to visit the burbs than a make-your-own sundae that doesn’t live on the kids’ menu? The chocolate bread pudding made with brioche is stellar, too.

Roux Diner opened in January, offering New Orleans-inspired bites from Chef Charlie McKenna. The best part: the all-day breakfast, including fluffy beignets topped with more-than-a-flurry of powdered sugar, enormous cinnamon buns slathered with cream cheese glaze, and country ham with red-eye gravy. If breakfast somehow isn’t your thing, Roux has you covered and smothered, as well. (Smothered and covered grits are topped with cheese and caramelized onions.) There’s also hot chicken and waffles and fried catfish with crinkle-cut fries. So what we’re saying is that at any time of day, Roux Diner will demolish your hunger.

Call 773-770-4785 for reservations.

There’s nothing to be mad about at Angry Crab, a low-key dining spot offering the beautiful messy chaos of a Louisiana crawfish boil. Pick your seafood — there’s crawfish but also shrimp, mussels, lobster, and crab, of course — then your add-ons, like potatoes and andouille sausage. Finish it off with sauce, from a mild garlic butter to a fiery angry Cajun. For those who like it really hot, peruse the rubs, measured in Scoville units. The whole shebang is served in a plastic bag. Napkins and bib required.

Walk into your own comic book fantasy at 2D, a brand new cafe offering a wild illusionary experience that’ll have you whipping out your phone to take pics. Here, the restaurant is the art, with hand-drawn odes to Paris everywhere you look, from an Arc de Triomphe to a remarkable Mona Lisa (sipping coffee). There’s even a real bathtub where you can hop in and look at a 2D version of the Eiffel Tower. Husband-and-wife team Vanessa Thanh Yu and Kevin Yu are behind this cool new spot, and while their decor is garnering buzz, you shouldn’t forget about the menu, either. While you’re taking in the view, be sure to grab a crème brûlée phin latte (brûléed with a torch!) and a mochi donut, in flavors like matcha dream and s’mores.

Call 773-360-8484 for reservations.

Opened in January, il Mio brings comforting, shareable dishes perfect for groups and families to Clarendon Hills. The space, once home to Grocerland, is large and bright, the high ceilings accented with an orange Vespa (in case you forgot this is from an Italian family). Orange Vespas grace the menu as well, signifying the restaurant’s signature dishes, like pesto-burrata flatbread, housemade meatballs over polenta, and pappardelle with short rib ragu. And while the space is fit for families, there’s still lots to enjoy from the bar, including a range of Italian wines and an Italian old fashioned made with Montenegro amaro.

Opened at the end of last year, Eli Tea Bar is a tea cafe and sober drinking spot from Eli Majid. A rainbow flag on the door beckons guests of all identities: Majid wants the space to be a safe and supportive atmosphere for LGBTQ people and their allies. While alcohol isn’t on the menu, there is a lot of tea, over 100 varieties of loose-leaf tea, kombucha, and bubble tea. The 2,000-square-foot space is designed for conversation — with tables topped with chessboards and guest tarot readers — and performances. Live music, trivia, and drag bingo are all on the agenda.