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Photo courtesy of ROOH

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The Chicago Reservations You’ll Want to Access in Summer 2023

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Summer has officially started, which means the Chicago dining season is about to hit its stride. For the reservations you’ll need to win the hearts of first-time visitors, or for business meals impressive enough to close out the quarter on a high, look no further than the new additions to the list of Chicago restaurant partners in Global Dining Access by Resy.

We’re reading the tea leaves and this year is shaping up to be an exciting showing for restaurant lovers ready to make up for lost time. Longstanding institutions are surging with creativity, new concepts are making their highly anticipated debuts, and Notify requests are flying off the shelves. All signs point to a town that’s ready to dine. Rejoice! We come bearing more restaurant partners who provide exclusive access opportunities to American Express premium cardmembers via Global Dining Access.

So, get to booking … Whether it’s welcoming the latest Basque-inspired chophouse, pouncing on one of the limited seats at a 16-course omakase mecca, or finally becoming a regular at spot that started the Logan Square dining scene, these additions are but a sliver of what you can expect this season.

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Asador Bastian

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Design District of River North

An exciting arrival to a city that knows a thing or two about a chophouse, Asador Bastian brings a Basque perspective to a much cherished tradition. Chef-owners Doug Psaltis (Andros Taverna) and Hsing Chen have gamed out a meticulously honorable Spanish take on steak, complete with specialty cuts of aged beef cut in-house and char-grilled over an open flame.

The Vibe

Set in a newly renovated 19th century historic townhouse, Asador Bastian reads like a high-end housewarming for a family of culinary artisans.

Can’t Miss

For a menu that’s been carefully curated, you’ll encounter showstoppers from top to bottom — from the caviar churros to the bone marrow with potato puree.

By the Way

While the upstairs dining room is well-suited for intimate gatherings, don’t rule out the distinct pleasure of having a few sumptuous small bites in the Bar Room.

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Omakase Yume

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West Loop

For diners who find the detail-oriented and masterfully precise execution of the omakase craft deeply satisfying, snagging one of the six available seats at Omakase Yume can feel downright transcendental. This West Loop jewel is watched over carefully by chef Sangtae Park, who serves up the seasonally rotating 16-course tasting menu himself.

The Vibe

A bespoke energy with minimal yet serene décor that places all the attention on the craft.

Can’t Miss

With a menu that’s customized to your taste, a spoiler is hard to come by. It’s best to show up with eagerness and confidence that Park will bring the wow factor.

By the Way

While the menu shape-shifts with individual preferences and the season, you can expect a modern-day Edomae style of sushi — a technique that utilizes salt and vinegar to preserve fish, a throwback to when ice or refrigeration wasn’t available.

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Milk Room

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The Loop

Hidden away on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Club sits a little slice of Prohibition-era history where an open seat might be rarer than one of vintage spirits behind the bar. In addition to its exclusive “micro” concept — there are only eight spots up for grab — part of the magic at Milk Room is its enduring “illicit” appeal: the charm of a speakeasy in a modern era. At the same time, the depth of the archive-like liquor cabinet will make your head spin and the shared plate menu will keep you grounded.

The Vibe

Clandestine cocktail sipping by candlelight.

Can’t Miss

With a trove of spirits from centuries past, this is the type of place where one truly can run the risk of missing out. Your bartender is your guide and will point you in the right direction of a classic cocktail or dust off the right rare bottle. Recent spirit standouts include Appleton Estate Special Jamaica rum from the 1960s and straight-from-the-barrel Blanton’s bourbon.

By the Way

Rumor has it that Milk Room gets its name from the opaque milk glasses used by patrons of the original Men’s Club to disguise the true nature of their beverage during Prohibition.

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ROOH Chicago

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West Loop

If making good on the promise to properly honor the vast and complex regions of Indian cuisine wasn’t ambitious enough, the team at ROOH sets out to do it through the glitzy lens of modern fine dining. And it works. The lively West Loop space delivers on to-be-expected crowd-pleasers while introducing diners to new favorites for their repertoires. Amid the expansive menu of soulful meaty, veg-forward, and vegan plates, there’s something for every discerning palate in your party.

The Vibe

A multi-level expedition into the heart of Indian cuisine. Bold and bright touches — such as the deep blue velvet banquettes and shimmering chandeliers — ramp up the “fancy” factor.

Can’t Miss

Newbies and regulars alike will argue that the chile cheese kulcha is a non-negotiable way to kick things off. After that, solid cases can be made in favor of the Kashmiri-style lamb ribs or the sweet potato chaat.

By the Way

Inspired by the six tastes of the ancient Ayurvedic wisdom — sweet, salty, sour, bitter, pungent, astringent — the cocktail program is uniquely positioned to bring balance to your body, mind, and spirit.

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Giant

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Logan Square

Nestled into a fashionable block of Logan Square, Giant immediately greets guests with a wink of irony. Yes, the space is small, but what the restaurant lacks in square footage, it makes up with flavor. Every shareable plate on Chef Jason Vincent’s recently overhauled menu of unpretentious and “slightly cheffy” fare is no stranger to exceeding expectations. Midwestern ingredients are met with an artful approach that feels like a never-ending state of culinary R&D.

The Vibe

A tightly packed, familial ambiance with food that, to put it simply, just makes you feel good.

Can’t Miss

After reimagining the menu last year, there was an audible sigh of relief when the onion rings showed up in the latest rotation. These should be quickly followed up with a nostalgia-priming grilled pork. Should the sweet tooth enter the chat, give a moment to consider the deceptively simple dark chocolate microwave cake.

By the Way

For more ways to reminisce on nostalgic flavors that fall in line with a Windy City sensibility, be sure to check out the follow-up sister cocktail bar concept, Chef’s Special.

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The Purple Pig

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Streeterville

Amidst the throngs of visitors traipsing up and down Magnificent Mile, an auspiciously meaty offering defies the preconceived notions of tourist-trap dining. With award-winning chef Jimmy Bannos Jr. running the show, the Pig is a haven for all who crave a taste of the Mediterranean — from solo diners to larger groups. Touches of tile and inviting red leather are artfully deployed to enhance a setting that celebrates every iteration of the titular protein.

The Vibe

A Mediterranean interpretation of nose-to-tail dining with boisterous energy.

Can’t Miss

The crispy pigs ears with pickled banana peppers or the smoked pork tongue is a particularly reverent approach to the masters of the craft, but should you want to deviate from the main character on the menu, consider the turkey leg confit or the saffron tagliatelle with mushrooms. As a welcomed token of service, each dish on the menu lists a recommended wine varietal. Perfect pairings guaranteed.

By the Way

Although not the most official of the many accolades amassed over his career, Bannos’ “Prince of Pork” title might be the most compelling.

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Swift & Sons

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Fulton Market

With admiration toward 19th century meat-packing pioneer Gustavus Franklin Swift, the team behind Swift & Sons imagines what a modern-day headquarters for this empire might look like — complete with high ceilings, polished woods, and striking mosaic tile floors. Chef Chris Pandel raises the bar on steakhouse expectations with a polished offering of premium beef cuts and superb sides.

The Vibe

Just the right amount of swank and story to make this steakhouse stand out from the rest.

Can’t Miss

As part of his “boutique beef program,” Pandel deploys French technique to infuse classic cuts and traditional sides with a bit of extra luster. It’s the kind of scene that calls for a splurge, so why not go for something special like the snow-aged wagyu tenderloin or the beef Wellington with foie gras? (Also, does anyone detect Wellington being a Chicago vibe right now?)

By the Way

Although the premise for Swift & Sons is based on a fictional company, the historical ties are sound — the original Fulton Market space was once a cold storage facility in the center of the meat-packing district.

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Lula Café

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Logan Square

An inadvertent trailblazer in the buzzy sea of restaurants that now occupy Logan Square, Lula Café has been quietly holding court for the last 24 years. What started as a humble endeavor with thrifted pots and pans has now expanded to a market-driven menu occupying three storefronts. The husband-wife team of executive chef Jason Hamel and singer-songwriter Amalea Tshilds continue to find new ways to stoke their creative engines through discovery of new local purveyors and a community-driven environment.

The Vibe

A bohemian bistro with farm-to-table roots.

Can’t Miss

No matter your hour of need, the eclectic all-day menu is constantly updated with seasonal standouts (our eyes are on the grilled white sweet potato with king trumpet mushrooms) while family-inspired staples like the pasta Yia Yia (bucatini with feta and brown butter) have cemented their spot for the long haul.

By the Way

Book a table on the first Monday of the month and join the long-running farm dinner tradition. Guided in spirit by the Chez Panisse model of dishes developed in accordance with the daily market haul, Lula Café debuts three never-before-seen courses during the evening service.

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Obélix

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River North

If there’s one thing Oliver and Nicholas Poilevey know how to do, it’s to tantalize Chicago diners with the promise of a French bistro. After taking over the successful, decades-old Le Bouchon, the brothers Poilevey have quietly — and quickly — created another shining jewel with Obélix. The charm here is effervescent and the French-leaning menu playfully weaves in global influences without compromising on the essentials. (Read: duck makes many appearances.)

The Vibe

The brasserie tablecloths are white and crisp, but everyone feels welcome — vintage touches like lights from a former Parisian hotel and painted concrete floors help keep the ambiance warm.

Can’t Miss

One visual sweep of the buzzing dining room will reveal a surplus of “fois-cos” (fois gras tacos), a dish that epitomizes the cheeky French-ish found throughout the menu. For a larger showstopper, look to the beef Wellington — complete with filet mignon, mushroom duxelles and prosciutto.

By the Way

Any of the rich bounty of items found on the seafood tower can be cherry-picked and added to your order, à la carte.

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