The Chicago Restaurants We Loved in February

My favorite part of the meal…

… at Galit is the atmosphere. Andrés Clavero, the co-owner, is constantly on the floor, checking in on tables and explaining dishes, pairings, and all of the fun and exciting things to come next door at their new concept, Cafe Yaya. As always, the smoked turkey shawarma was incredible, but the pastrami is my favorite.

— Lauren Kansupada, Director of Integration Strategy & Planning

Chef Bradyn Kawcak and his team are really having fun…

… with the menu at Atelier, showing that a tasting menu can be cozy and fun with zero pretension. His “Ants on a Log” course that transitioned the tasting menu from savory to sweet is a perfect example, incorporating celery granita, peanut buttermilk pudding, peanut brittle, and concord grape jam. They’re passionate about serving local beverages, too, and I was really impressed by their choice of wine, which included a Midwest sparkling bottle (and I’m usually a Champagne snob!).

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

As part of their “Eras Tour”…

… Topolobampo is showcasing some of their greatest hits over the years. Everything was fantastic, from the service and ambiance to the plating and the dishes. I especially loved their version of a Caesar salad (it included sardines, mussels, and it was a little spicy) and this little cup of tortilla soup that started off the meal, which was also delicious. (Pro tip: You can get this at any of Rick Bayless’ restaurants, including the ones at O’Hare airport!)

— Melissa Maciejewski, Product Marketing Manager at Tock

Is there anything better than…

… digging into a well-done bowl of housemade pasta on a Chicago winter evening? Nestled in a wood-paneled spot along bustling Milwaukee Avenue, Mano a Mano delivers on the cozy front. I went with a friend and we started with the stuffed zucchini flowers before splitting a few pastas, including the not-to-be-missed carbonara. I’m normally a chocolate fiend, but for dessert, we went wild and tried the popcorn gelato — with salted caramel and freeze-dried popcorn, it made for a fun, sweet-and-salty end to the meal. No regrets.

Pro tip: Make sure to check out the menu “del giorno” for rotating specials, including house wines that are reasonably priced, seasonal, and served in quarter or half-liter carafes.

— Ally Marotti, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Oh, the thrill of getting a reservation…

… off of Notify at Monteverde. If you’ve ever been (or tried to go), you know it’s pretty much always packed. But a 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. reservation from Notify is usually achievable, and their lunch is a great way to get to experience their top-notch hospitality and generous portions. The blackened Texas redfish and seasonally-rotating arancini are always a must, but the gnocchetti con pesto was my favorite this time around. They also have a fantastic non-alcoholic beverage program.

— Emma Cadd, Restaurant Enablement Analyst

Stepping foot in this dining room feels akin to a European fairytale…

With its tall, arched windows, candelabra chandeliers, and gold gilded artwork, The English Room at The Deer Path Inn is something else. (Pro tip: Keep an eye out on the Garden Room come summer, it’s a sun-drenched section of the restaurant that opens to a wonderful patio). But on the February day I visited, I was lost in the magic of its mid-winter peace as I settled in for breakfast to the tune of “The Enchantment” by David Lanz (all the more fitting). At my table, I looked out to a snow-capped garden between bites of crisped hash browns and fluffy pancakes, pausing only for sips of chamomile tea. Dinner here is equally idyllic — especially for chef Masayori Adachi’s sushi, which is best sampled through the thoughtful omakase menu.

— Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

For a great happy hour…

… head to Proxi: they’ve got one of the best happy hours in town and it’s a great alternative if you missed out on their more exclusive seated menu. We had friends visiting from out of town and they had a blast. The team does really unique fusion-y appetizers — some of the highlights included the fennel apple chaat and the tempura elotes. And I’d be remiss not to mention the excellent cocktail program — the Black Maple Hanger (rye, strawberry amaro, nocino, vermouth rosso, cocoa, and rhubarb bitters) was inspired.

— Dale Roach, Chicago Territory Manager

I had a fantastic meal from start to finish…

… at Swift & Sons. The hospitality and wine service were great, and my favorite dish would have to be that Wagyu ribeye cap — a spendy option but hey, it was Valentine’s Day weekend, so we got after it. Next time, we’ll be sure to save more room for desserts!

— Jerome Noel, New York Field Account Executive at Tock

There’s nothing like…

… ducking into Platform 47, especially on a cold February night, where a low-lit, wood-paneled dining room awaits (cozy fireplace included). The food menu of pubby standards (Cobb salad, burgers, wings) is punctuated with a few surprises, like spring rolls, shrimp tempura, and cauliflower “ceviche” — though you certainly can’t go wrong with a fried chicken sandwich and a beer, either. All told, this spot has an undeniable warmth to it, and it doesn’t just come from the cocktails.

— Marnie Shure, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Already familiar with Ballyhoo Hospitality’s score of restaurants in the city…

…. (places like Old Pueblo Cantina, DeNucci’s, and Coda di Volpe, to note a few), I was eager to check out their work beyond city limits — especially knowing their suburban portfolio is only continuing to grow.

Sophia Steak in Lake Forest embodies the cozy sophistication found at their other spots: an inviting, warmly-lit space, full of diners on a date and larger groups celebrating. The friendly, attentive team made our experience so memorable, as did the food — think steakhouse options with an updated, global twist, like miso-glazed salmon with ginger-jasmine rice or Wagyu steak skewers with gochujang and yuzu kosho aioli. For a big finale, we though it best to sample two desserts (you know, in the name of research): the strawberries and cream napoleon and the chocolate cake, which comprised 13 lush layers of hazelnut crunch and chocolate buttercream.

— Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

I recently moved from Logan Square …

… back to my hometown, and one of the spots I miss the most is Webster’s Wine Bar. I meet a friend there without fail every time I’m back in town; it’s the quintessential neighborhood spot. They celebrated their 30^th birthday last year, and I love how you can still walk in without a reservation (somewhat rare in this post-pandemic world).

On a recent chilly night, my friend and I split the salad, the burger, and the fries, and it was flirtingly close to the perfect meal. Pay attention to the rich, in-depth descriptions on the by-the-glass wine menu: it’s a fun place to discover a new favorite. I always agonize a bit over what to choose, but that night, the dark and cold weather called for the biggest, boldest red. Perfect meal status: achieved.

— Ally Marotti, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

There was such a nostalgic vibe…

… at Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain. My friend took me and we sat on bar stools at the marble bar and had all the carbs — scrambled egg breakfast sandwiches, buttermilk biscuits slathered in butter, coffee sugar cream pie, and an affogato to top it off.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial