Where to Eat in December: Bordel, Second Generation, Middle Brow, and More

Celebrate the season with a little raucous revelry at Bordel, a Belle Époque-inspired speakeasy above Mama Delia. Warm up in the moody space, preferably on a cushy red velvet chair, and sip a daiquiri or Bordel’s famous Spanish coffee (Grand Marnier, overproof rum, hot coffee, cinnamon, and cream) while you wait for a show, whether that be a flamenco performance, burlesque, live music, or even fire eating.

From award-winning chef Edward Kim, this neighborhood spot offers bistro fare inspired by the chef’s Asian and American culinary experiences. Visit for brunch to enjoy cider doughnuts with maple butter and a misoyaki eggplant tartine on sourdough with an onsen egg and oyster mushrooms. Or come for dinner for fish sauce wings, a burger slathered with miso butter, and lumaconi mac ‘n’ cheese with Patagonian shrimp, ssamjang cream, anise-y perilla, and salty pecorino.

Tucked inside Soho House is chef Stephen Sandoval’s Suenos X Soho Friends, a spot that offers fresh seafood in the form of tostadas, tacos, and skewers, not to mention ceviche and lots of oysters, too. We suggest stopping by for happy hour (Wednesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m.) for $5 Pacificos, a plate of plantains, and a pescado taco with beer-battered cod, chile de arbol, and crunchy cabbage. And maybe stay for dinner — why not? — and order the highly coveted fish collars with an umami guajillo glaze and hibiscus pickled radishes.

If you’re looking for a romantic, white-tableclothed Italian meal amidst impressive chandeliers, Adalina is just the place. With Michelin-starred chef Soo Ahn at the helm, you can expect expertly plated shareable dishes, like chittara pasta with duck Bolognese, cannelloni with a chestnut stuffing, and a juicy bistecca alla Fiorentina. And if you’re really looking to celebrate — it is the holidays, after all — go for the caviar service or the mountainous seafood tower, with East coast oysters, Maine lobster, and Sea of Cortez shrimp.

Call 312-820-9000 for more info.

Got a vegan friend or family member in town? Take them to Planta Queen, a spot that celebrates plant-based eating with dishes that’ll delight (and probably surprise!) vegans and omnivores alike. Start with chicken-fried mushroom baos and ahi watermelon sushi, then move on avocado lime tartare and Planta’s signature bang bang broccoli. Between the General D’s cauliflower, the truffle fried rice, and the truly swanky atmosphere, you’ll impress your guests and enjoy yourself, too.

Past the quaint uneven cobblestone steps of 114 N Green Street’s historic courtyard is Trivoli Tavern, a perfect date-night spot offering stiff cocktails, a moody atmosphere, and all the comfort food you could want on a cold December night. In between sips of the Bitter Old Pal (Wild Turkey rye, dry vermouth, and Campari), dig into creamy baby artichoke gratin and handmade rigatoni smothered in vodka sauce. There’s also coal-fired seafood, smoked ribs, and a chicken pot pie topped with flaky pie crust. We hope you and your date arrive hungry.

Just opened at the end of October, this new spot — named after the sound of chopsticks splitting open, “tak!” — offers classic Korean fare in a casual setting. Tuck into a table for deep-fried wings, stir-fried kimchi with homemade gochujang, and cheese rabokki (Korean rice cakes smothered in a sweet-spicy sauce with molten cheese). There’s also a traditional bossam and a number of soups and stews that will warm you on cold winter nights. While alcoholic drinks aren’t available just yet, you can still enjoy perfectly festive sparkling Asian pear, persimmon, or ginger mint drinks with your meal.

Call 312-620-2424 for more info.

We love brunch at Cafe Robey. Visit this charming spot for the classics, like buttermilk pancakes and eggs Benedict, and lighter fare like the brown rice and quinoa bowl with hummus and spicy kale. After your meal, we recommend checking out the Winter Farmers Market, a new indoor market at The Robey launching on December 4, with 15 vendors offering the best the season has to offer. The market will be open weekly through April. It’s a perfect place to peruse after a delicious meal and stock up on treats for home.

In the depths of winter, Bungalow by Middle Brow will be a salve. Unlike most Chicago brewpubs, this space is bright and cheery, a warm spot to enjoy simple comforts like homemade bread and cultured butter. Find also a pizza menu filled with the traditional options, like margherita and pepperoni, and more creative takes like a vegan spiced chickpea version with roasted squash, coconut raita, and pepita shatta, tropea onions, and herbs. Hot tip: They’re closed on Mondays.

In the former Famous Dutch Pancake Huis is this new restaurant offering Italian and German fare. In one sitting you can enjoy Castelvetrano olives with sea salt and Frittatina Napoletana (spaghetti fritters, with ground beef and Béchamel), along with bratwurst and sauerkraut. That’s just what owners (and friends) Vittorio Lasalvatore and Chris Royce want at their convivial spot, which they renovated themselves for eight months prior to the soft launch. Come for a quick, comforting meal and leave happy that you’ve experienced the delight of spaghetti fritters. (Who knew?)

Call 773-805-7563 for more info.