Chicago’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

Add this stop on your oyster crawl in the West Loop. East and west coast, grilled, chilled — they’re all represented. Once you get through the briny bivalves, think about crisp Caesar, a couple of octopus tacos, and maybe a surf and turf burrito if you’re feeling it. A martini, whether with gin, vodka, or mezcal, goes with everything.

This art-filled Evanston Mexican restaurant from Marcos Rivera (of Skokie’s Libertad) is creating a buzz with its menu of impeccable tacos and other masa-based specialties paying tribute to “zentil” — the Nahuatl word for “corn.”

This is definitely one for your Hit List: a modern Indian restaurant in a swanky space that reimagines tandoori, butter chicken, and the like through a fine-dining lens. Pro tip: Do not skip the sweet potato chaat.

An upscale sports bar with eminently snackable food by José Andrés alumna Marissa Tuñona, a stylish brick-and-wood-framed dining room, an all-weather patio, and a subterranean speakeasy called Bootleg? We’ll be right there…

You won’t go wrong with the straightforward, almost-entirely-seafood menu (sustainably sourced) at this Old Town offshoot of the well-loved Lakeview original from the same group behind Assembly and DMK Burger Bar.

This handsome River North spot — part of the ever-expanding nationwide Planta group — rewrites the vegan menu, serving deftly crafted sushi, dumplings, noodle dishes, and other Asian fare, all plant-based and so innovative and so good that even carnivores will be delighted.

Sibling to the Wilmette original, this instant hit in Lake Forest from Ballyhoo Hospitality (Andros Taverna, Pomeroy) serves up prime meats and seafood, decadent desserts, and classic cocktails. Don’t miss the signature Steak Sophia — a prime peppercorn-encrusted flat iron or filet with roasted mushrooms and Cognac cream.

Here’s a hideaway to know — a small, warmly lit, brick-walled cocktail lounge with leather bar stools and couches, original cocktails, and a small menu of irresistible bar food (potato chips with caviar, anyone?) from Meadowlark Hospitality, whose Union and Lardon are just next door.

Thassos didn’t miss a beat when it moved from its original location in Palos Hills to its new home in Clarendon Hills. Come for the friendly atmosphere, the excellent service, and the extensive menu of traditional Greek fare (including fish flown in from Greece).

If you like no-nonsense French food, from imported Dover sole meunière to dry-aged beef Wellington, and natural wines from offbeat French regions, then step right up to this alluring West Loop bistro from the Illinois-and-Spain-based Maison Bonhomme group (Bordel, Porto, etc.).

Here’s a new concept from Maison Bonhomme — sharing an address with Coquette, the group’s French bistro (but with its own entrance and kitchen): A menu inspired by the legendary Silk Road, stretching from Italy to China (think wok-fried risotto and fried chicken baos).

You’ll want to become a regular at this lively Italian “eatery” from the Spearhead Hospitality group (The Robey) — the focal point of a bustling Union Station-adjacent food destination that also includes a gourmet market, a pastry counter, and AfterBar, a World’s Fair-themed cocktail lounge.

Say hello to the innovative interplay of American and Asian fare at this Logan Square hotspot from Edward Kim of Mott St. Defining signature dishes include kalbi steak frites and mac ‘n’ cheese with Patagonian shrimp, and a celebrated burger topped with hoisin aïoli.

With its soft contemporary look in gray and taupe and its menu of bright, savory dishes from around Italy — including housemade pastas and an oversized veal chop Milanese for two (dubbed “Orecchia di Elefante,” or “elephant’s ear”) — this West Loop destination from chef Federico Comacchio of Coco Pazzo is made for date night.

Because Brian Goewey’s Naperville location of his Gia Mia pizza-focused restaurants moved into historic quarters — the 1897-vintage Old Nichols Library across from Central Park, no less. Plus, all the tried-and-true Gia Mia classics — wood-fired pizza, pasta, small plates, and more — are here.

This is not your average hotel restaurant. Rather, this is the boutique Emily Hotel’s ode to Mexico, overseen by chef Billy Caruso of Rye Deli + Drink, in which a Riviera Maya vibe and a seafood-rich menu puts on display modern Mexican specialties, Mexican wines, and an in-house masa program.

If you can’t score a place at Omakase Yume, Sangtae Park’s six-seat Michelin-starred sushi bar, don’t despair: Just next door is this izakaya/gastropub where Park’s team turn their skills to fried and grilled fare, rice and noodle dishes, and, yes, sushi too, to marvelous effect.