The May Hit List: Apolonia, Lardon, Superkhana International, and More

Superkhana International began as a series of pop-ups from two buddies, Zeeshan Shah and Yoshi Yamada, who simply loved Indian food. Years later, finally in a brick-and-mortar spot, the pair have managed to survive the depths of the pandemic to earn themselves a Bib. Visit the vibrant spot for playful “Indian-ish” food, like a smoked paneer calzone, chile cheese naan, and a pork vindaloo with chile crisp.

Apolonia is the second restaurant from Chef Stephen Gillanders (his first was S.K.Y. in Pilson). Here, he creates beautiful Mediterranean-inspired dishes, like fiorentini al sugo with smoked tomato and Catalpa Grove pork sausage, roasted duck breast with a tabbouleh vinaigrette, and summery grilled zucchini salad with tahini dressing and briny shaved bottarga. So it is no surprise that Gillanders also landed a Bib nod this year. We’ll be cheers-ing to the team with a spoon in hand and a creme citron cloud cake on our plate.

Lardon, too, was added to the Bib roster list this year. The brilliant salumeria deserves it, offering meat and cheese boards that dreams are made of, not to mention lots of housemade accoutrements. A curing chamber offers a glimpse into the magic, with rows upon rows of soppressata and chorizo. Pull up a seat in the light-filled space for a chef’s board, a hulking Reuben, or frisee salad dressed up with a perfectly poached egg and lardons, of course. Pair whatever you order with a spritz, because spritz season is most definitely upon us.

While its name might conjure a raucous brewpub, Moody Tongue Brewing is perhaps the exact opposite. In fact, it’s so refined that it garnered two Michelin stars this year and last. Come for a hyper-seasonal tasting menu with rotating dishes like Hudson Valley foie gras creme caramel with finger lime (paired with Doppelbock) and a playful surf ‘n’ turf with Maine lobster, veal sweetbreads, black truffle dashi, lardo, and smoked eel — all of that goes with their Schwarzbier, a dark lager that originated in Germany. Of course, their menu changes by the week, if not the day, so visit soon and come thirsty.

Omakase Yume continued its Michelin star streak, testament to chef SangTae Park’s pristine 16-course tasting menu. The eight-seat bar is the spot to see Chef Park skillfully prepare a wide assortment of sushi and sashimi, an ever-changing menu given what’s fresh, from torigai (heart clam) and delicately sweet tamago to chutoro. It’s a splurge meal, for sure, but one you’ll remember.

From Tony Hu, the guy behind Lao Sze Chuan, is the first Chicago location of Liang Crispy Roll, a massively popular Chinese and Taiwanese chain that boasts over 12,000 locations and a super-famous ambassador (Jay Chou). These griddled crispy rolls can be filled with your choice of ingredients, from rich and savory cumin lamb to a simple egg and cheese, or Beijing duck. Pick one up and enjoy it on the go. Who knows, crispy rolls might just become the new summer picnic snack.

Call 604-564-3431 for more information.

Newly opened Electric Garden is the spot to be to enjoy the season. Visit this brand new pet-friendly spot for an interactive beer garden experience, complete with funky lights, summer-ready drinks, and bar bites. From Chris Johnston, the owner behind Whiskey Business and Cheesie’s Pub and Grub, Electric Garden is sure to become a summer hot spot in no time.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a corn dog at a fair, now’s the time to visit Kong Dog for its Korean counterpart. While you used to have to go out to Glenview for one of these TikTok sensations, now you just have to go to Chinatown. To order, pick a filling: whole beef sausage, mozzarella, chicken sausage, or plant-based sausage. Then your flavoring, from a dog covered in crispy fried potato nuggets to the Hot Cheeto Kong Dog, which is exactly what it sounds like. (Really, really good.)

Call 312-291-9978 for more information.

Tucked inside the Fulton Market District’s Soho House, visit this new borderless Baja mariscos spot from Chef Stephen Sandoval. The best part: You don’t need to be a Soho House member to eat and drink here. Visit for a colorful cocktail paired with kanpachi belly tostadas, snapper ceviche, and octopus skewers with vibrant chimichurri. And if you don’t have time to sit around, order something from the to-go menu. Might we recommend the steak burrito?

Straight from the What If Syndicate team — not “Mission Impossible” bad guys but the people behind Maple & Ash and Etta — is newly opened Cafe Sophie, a casual, all-day dining spot that is already getting noticed. Whether you’re posting up with your computer or popping in for a bite, Cafe Sophie has something comforting, from croissants and kouign aman in the morning to wood-fired focaccia in the afternoon. Yes, that’s right. This cafe has a wood-burning oven, which the team uses for an assortment of dishes, including a frittata and wood-fired cheese. While you can absolutely visit for just a coffee, they also have a full bar, so you can sip one of their housemade sodas, like orange-cinnamon-star-anise, spiked with whatever you’d like.

Call 312-262-7610 for more information.