Chicago’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

A beautiful light-flooded restaurant with a soaring cathedral ceiling (well, it is in a renovated ex-church) looking out on Lake Opeka in Des Plaines with a menu offering just-what-you-want American and Mediterranean fare? Yes, please.

There might be more beautiful words in a food-lover’s vocabulary than “Roman-style pizza pub,” but there probably aren’t a lot of them. Capitalizing on the success of the Geneva original, this Elmhurst offshoot of Ella’s focuses on hand-crafted pan pizzas, along with other Italian dishes — and of course that pub essential: Buffalo wings.

East Coast-style, red-sauce Italian-American fare comes to Lincoln Park with this instant classic from Ballyhoo Hospitality (Gemini, Coda di Volpe) on the former site of the venerable Four Farthings Tavern & Grill. Look for all your favorite old-school chicken, veal, and pasta dishes — plus big New York-style pizzas.

Because a French bistro with a Midwest touch is always something we can get behind. Enter Argot, an elegant space with an impressive wine list that tangos between America and France, and where the steak frites (or frisée lardon, studded with Nueske’s bacon) is never a bad idea.

Here’s something to celebrate: the second U.S. outpost opened by Ireland’s most iconic beer brand, offering traditional food like fish and chips and Guinness-infused brown bread and beef stew, along with only-in-America brews like Rice Lager and Mango Chile Ale — plus, of course, the classic brewed-in-Dublin offerings.

Flipping the script on what Middle Eastern cuisine means is the cornerstone of this sleek and lively spot. Yes, there’s muhammara with pomegranate, lamb kebab, and falafel served with melon. But also a few Indian spices and ingredients subtly make their way in, thanks to the chefs’ backgrounds. It’s a surprising combination that’s absolutely worth exploring.

This affectionate tribute in Wheaton to the Filipino-American food experience, from the team behind Glen Ellyn’s Common Good Cocktail House, features fish sauce in the Caesar dressing, kimchi in the mac & cheese, and calamansi-soy sauce with the fried chicken, and everything works like a charm.

An onyx bar, hardwood barstools, plush velvet banquettes, colorful neo-expressionist paintings, ambient lighting — and of course, gorgeous cocktails and a high-end bottle list … This opulent West Loop watering hole from the group behind Bambola and Coquette (just across the street) is decadent luxury personified.

From the same group behind Rooh and Bar Goa, this Streeterville spot focuses on British Indian specialties and local pub vibes. You’ll want it all: The golden battered fish and chips, the chicken tikka masala, and definitely the classic Sunday roast. Lots of gin and tonics bring it all together.

This comfortable West Loop spot has all the American classics: shrimp cocktail, chopped salads, great burgers, and roast chicken. There are as many zero-proof cocktails as martinis, so everyone can have a good time.

Part of Marcos Rivera’s empire (Zentli, Libertad), this Evanston spot leans on Puerto Rican staples like guacamole and tostones, arroz con pollo, roast pork, and plenty of mojitos for everyone.

Surrounded by coastal blue and white colors, plus hanging wicker light fixtures that feel more Baja than Rosemont, Saltwater is the perfect setting for everything seafood. Leaning hard on Mediterranean influences, there’s everything from seafood towers brimming with chilled shellfish to pan-roasted lobster and an entire sushi and sashimi menu.

The dark teal interior, stunning design, and art deco panache give this lounge a speakeasy vibe, but it’s all in full view. Before you order your go-to martini, try something like the Trambler made with smoked gouda-washed Tequila and Campari (it works, we swear!). Food runs the gamut from nuggets to caviar and steak tartare.

For anyone who is a fan of Otto Phan’s Kyoten sushi omakase experience, this sibling restaurant allows even more opportunity to partake in pristine, wild-caught fish and exquisite presentation. Phan, who adheres to tradition but isn’t bound by it, is known to flip the switch a bit on what you think you know about sushi.

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.”

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.

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).