The Chicago Restaurants We Loved in July

I don’t know how I slept on this place for so long…

Cellar Door Provisions is everything I want out of a restaurant these days. The food is super local and so fresh, they don’t even keep enough on hand to have a walk-in fridge — they’ve only got two smaller reach-ins, one of which is reserved for fermentations. Their menu changes constantly, while remaining creative, approachable, and above all, delicious. And aside from the fantastic Hokkaido scallop crudo we had, our meal was entirely vegetarian, just by chance. I’d have ordered the whole menu if I could.

The potato gnocchi were so good we almost got a second order. And their peach galette dessert was so good we did get a second order. Service was friendly and helpful, and with a wine list full of unusual bottles, our server was able to help us choose a wine that went perfectly with our entire meal. All in all, it was such a great experience, and I’m already planning my next visit.

— Mishka Mishkin, Senior Engineer

Consider this your PSA…

… that the eggplant parm at DeNucci’s (until recently, a Monday special only) has officially been promoted to a full-time dinner main — and for very good reason: It’s a perfect dish with tender noodles, well-seasoned vegetables, a crispy exterior, and an appropriate smothering of red sauce. Of course, no meal here is complete without the Bolognese … or the kale salad … or a nice glass of wine … or the tiramisu … (P.S. Here are some tips on getting in.)

— Gabriel Losch, Software Engineer

This place is quickly becoming a neighborhood favorite of mine…

At Void, the décor and food are both quirky and inviting, and put a fun twist on the classic Italian-American experience. Every time I go, the big decision I always sweat over is whether to get the Spaghetti Uh-O’s or not. This elevated (but not too elevated) rendition of SpaghettiOs — complete with vodka sauce and mini meatballs — is served out of a can and dumped right onto your plate, as nature intended. They also proudly offer a non-alcoholic No-Lört (“We have successfully removed Malört’s only redeeming feature” the menu cheekily boasts of their take on the bitter, wormwood-based digestif). It’s fun, it’s delicious, there’s a taxidermied fox above the bar — what’s not to love?

— Mishka Mishkin, Senior Engineer

There’s a certain satisfaction…

… when you can catch a restaurant on the upswing of its fame, but that’s only a small part of what made a recent visit to Void so much fun. This Italian-American spot in Avondale never misses a chance to make things 5% weird, as evidenced by the cocktail menu (divided into “familiar” and “unfamiliar”), the website’s mildly space-alien aesthetic, and the Spaghetti Uh-O’s, a SpaghettiOs dupe poured out of a faux-branded can tableside. Beyond this playful hit of childhood nostalgia, standout dishes include the sweet Italian sausage and peppers in roasted piquillo sauce and the seared cabbage with Caesar dressing.

— Marnie Shure, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

If you’re looking for a really special by-the-glass selection…

… Table, Donkey and Stick has you covered. We were celebrating a birthday and started off with a side by side of a 2011 and 2007 Château d’Épiré Cuvée — I preferred the 2007, it had such a robust minerality. We had this alongside the chef’s cheese and charcuterie selection, which included a perfect duck liver mousse, a four-month dry-aged pork, a goat’s milk brie, and a next-level tangy cheddar from Iowa. We also got what felt like a million appetizers, including smoked trout rillettes, a beet and orange salad, some snails, and a carpaccio. And we got the obligatory pork schnitzel as a main, as well as a lamb pasta, before ending with an affogato. It was the ideal birthday meal.

— Bailey Warren, Partner Success Manager at Tock

The quintessential summer happy hour spot…

… is Parson’s Chicken & Fish in Lincoln Park, with its perfectly located patio right on Halsted, its covered picnic tables, and the best frozen cocktails and chicken nuggets money can buy. Be sure to ask what the rotating frozen drinks are, or choose the staple frozen Negroni, which is always a hit.

— Spencer Tiedge, Global Dining LFO Manager

For a vibey River North restaurant…

… head to Bar Sótano, which boasts great cocktails, shareable dishes, and perfect dessert. The rotating tlayudita and namesake Sótano ceviche were incredible, as was the pollo rostizado, a cold smoked then roasted half chicken served with Mexican chile crisp.

Pro tip: Definitely take your server’s suggestions — we were guided towards dishes that weren’t on our radar at first and had a phenomenal meal.

— Amanda Peterlin, Sales Manager

An all-time favorite in Chicago…

… Coda di Volpe never disappoints with their Neapolitan pizza and southern Italian-inspired pastas. The mortadella e pistachio pizza is a menu staple and an absolute must-have, and while the pastas rotate more frequently, their cacio e pepe is usually available and always good. Bookend your meal with the arugula salad to start and some homemade gelato to end, and you’ve got yourself one decadent, truly delicious meal. (Here’s how to get a table.)

— Spencer Tiedge, Finance Manager

We had a great time…

… at Pescadero and really enjoyed their high-quality seafood and oyster bar concept. We had a couple varieties of West Coast oysters to start, which were delicious and not overly briny. We also shared some shellfish skewers (so good; they had a nice char on them), the octopus (tender and very well seasoned), and a freshly baked apple galette to end, which was very tasty.

— Mark Harris, Chief Product Officer of Tock

For the perfect pre-show vibe…

… head to Goose Island for a bite and some city skyline views. The staff was so kind and helpful, and made sure we had plenty of time to get to our show. We had the broccoli Caesar, which was a refreshing twist on a classic; some delightfully crisp fish and chips; and a chicken sandwich with kimchi, which had the perfect zing. We also loved all the beer and cider options on offer. All in all, it’s the perfect spot to start your night, especially if you’re catching a show at the Salt Shed next door.

— Dana Lasswell, Senior Partner Success Manager at Tock

Don’t sleep on the $8 happy hours cocktails…

… at Scofflaw (from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday). We got the Gold Rush cocktail (bourbon, lemon, honey, bitters) and a 50/50 martini alongside a thoughtful selection of meats and cheeses to start, before diving into perfectly thin and crispy Maryland crab cakes and some creamy burrata. We wrapped up with Scofflaw’s signature burgers and finished with shots of Malört on the house (it was our anniversary). The food and cocktails were on point and the service was warm, comfortable, and enthusiastic.

— Bill Malinowski, Partner Success Manager

This is such a great deal…

We were properly stuffed after the $45 four-course prix-fixe at Lardon, available on Fridays and Saturdays. Ours started with a wonderfully curated cheese plate with local cheeses and meats, some duck rillettes with griddled sourdough, a stracciatella chickpea sofrito with toasted house focaccia, and a Greek-style sausage to end it all.

— Alex Levinson, Senior Software Engineer

There’s no better advertising…

… than a line out the door, and Lincoln Square bakery Del Sur has had one for months. I staked out my spot in the perpetual queue bright and early one recent Saturday morning, and my anticipation was rewarded with inventive, vibrant pastries. The menu combines Filipino flavors with “Midwestern flair,” resulting in such delicious creations as an oatmeal cream pie filled with ube buttercream; a turon Danish with caramelized banana jam and vanilla flan; and the standout longanisa croissant, generously filled with soy caramel and a thick link of sweet sausage with cured egg yolk grated on top. Other specials rotate in and out, so hopefully you, like me, manage to catch the corn scone topped with cream and raspberries.

— Marnie Shure, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

We had a whole bunch of plates to share…

… at Bistro Campagne, and they were all excellent. Our highlights were the foie gras au torchon, the side of pleurotes (oyster mushrooms with crème fraîche and a six-minute egg), the steak frites with filet mignon, and lastly, the roast chicken with a wild mushroom ragout. I have to give a shoutout to the oyster mushrooms, which were roasted and crisped to perfection, and probably the best mushrooms I’ve ever had ever. Also, it’s got a really romantic vibe, so a great place to bring a date.

— David Kim, Senior Engineer

I’ve had it on my list for a while…

… and The Warbler did not disappoint. We split a summer chopped salad that brilliantly highlighted in-season produce, with a sunflower seed granola topping that left me in an existential crisis as to why I’d never thought to top my salad with granola before? Well done, Warbler. Then onto the gochujang glazed pork shoulder, which was absolutely delectable — what put it over the top were the miso sweet potatoes, which hit the trifecta of sweet, salty, and umami (I still dream about these). Regrettably, I didn’t get a chance to try my friend’s cheeseburger, which looked amazing, but I did eat about half her fries, because I clearly hadn’t met my potato quota with my own dish. The only thing is that I didn’t leave enough room for dessert, but that’s on me. I will definitely go back again. And probably again and again and again, and at least one more time after that.

— Katie Nopar, Senior Partner Success Manager

I loved eating on the outdoor patio…

… at The Duck Inn — it was so nicely decorated. I knew their famous duck dog would be amazing, but I was pleasantly surprised by the brussels sprouts and ricotta doughnuts, too. Everything we tried was phenomenal.

— Jamie Ryan, Senior Fraud Prevention Specialist

The love chef Jason Hammel has for his city…

… definitely shows up in the vibrant, stunning, and seasonal dishes at Lula Café. Every bite of the summer squash salad introduced me to something intriguing, from the spicy radish to the tangy yet smooth yuzu-almond vinaigrette. The skin on the Rushing Waters trout was so delicate and fragile, and it paired perfectly with the beurre monté and artichoke relish. The sun gold tomato rigatoni was a delight; it felt like the tomatoes were fireworks the way they exploded with flavor. And I couldn’t believe how tender the roast chicken was — plus, the anchovy aioli it was dressed in was peak umami. The shining stars of the meal were definitely the Thai tea ice cream and cherry almond mille-feuille with marsala roasted cherries, though. All in all, come hungry, relax, and let the Lula staff guide you through a wonderful Chicago experience.

— Wendy West, Operations Analyst

In our quest to explore a new neighborhood…

… we checked out Gia Mia in downtown Wheaton and weren’t disappointed. We started with the whipped ricotta with honeycomb and the Italian farm salad (both came highly recommended), and topped it all off with the Stinger pizza, which was perfect (a tomato pie with spicy soppressata, pepperoni, oregano parmesan, and Mike’s Hot Honey). We’d absolutely come back, especially with the kids.

— Tanner Nebbia, Finance Director

I have always loved the bold, bright flavors…

… at Proxi, and under new chef de cuisine Jennifer Kim, the restaurant is better than ever. Napa cabbage chopped salad with cashews and Chinese mustard dressing and pan-seared barramundi with green curry were a couple favorites from my last meal. Pastry chef Erin Kobler makes killer ice cream too — I wish I could buy the black sesame fudge ripple ice cream and mango sticky rice sorbet by the pint.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

I was so excited to try…

… Yokocho, a newer opening that’s the sister restaurant to Sushi Dokku, one of my favorite sushi spots in the city. The standouts of the night were their Wagyu crispy rice and the iwashi toast (a type of sardine) — I’d never tasted anything like it before and was blown away by it. But don’t overlook their amazing handrolls and nigiri — Yokocho’s known for both. We finished the night with their strawberry matcha dessert (I was celebrating my birthday). I’m looking forward to sitting at the bar and trying their omakase on a next visit.

— Victoria Travis, Partner Success Manager

I really loved the atmosphere…

… at Avaspi. As a dip lover, the mixed meze was a great way to try a whole bunch of them (more precisely: a combination of ezme, hummus, baba ghanoush, haydari, and muhammara), but the namesake mixed meat plate (featuring chicken kabab, lamb chops, beef, fries, rice, and more) was the hit at our table.

— Franco Longobardi, Senior Implementation Specialist

I love a good choose-your-own adventure…

… and that’s exactly what you’re in for at Galit, where guests are invited to make their picks across a four-course menu. Start with the tehina hummus, with, as the team puts it, “way too much olive oil,” beautifully balanced with sumac, mint, and a side of tangy pickles. From the mezze section, falafel comes with labneh and Persian turnips, and carrots are topped with hazelnut duqqa and a cumin-orange glaze. As for mains, don’t miss the lobster, which is butter-poached, grilled, and served with rhubarb and red endive — it’s an elegant nod to the fleeting summer months, as is the strawberry parfait, a finale complete with halvah caramel and white chocolate. The wine program, helmed by Scott Stroemer, is an incredibly thoughtful accompaniment to the experience, featuring bottles from small producers and often overlooked regions.

— Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

A great addition to Madison Street’s restaurant scene…

… Ryota is the place to start with perfectly crispy and light chicken karaage alongside edamame. The chef’s nigiri sampler was very reasonably priced for such high-quality fish, and the salmon kawa maki (salmon skin) was excellent. Finally, I have to give a shoutout to their non-alcoholic drink options — we really enjoyed our brown sugar milk tea.

— Alex Levinson, Senior Software Engineer

The secret to a hard-to-get-into restaurant…

… is an early walk-in on a weekday. That’s how my girlfriend and I got to dine at Bavette’s at 5:30 p.m. on a Tuesday. We ordered martinis to start, which felt right in the restaurant’s darkly lit atmosphere, going with the French martini (vodka, pineapple, raspberry) and the mezcal corpse reviver (with Cointreau and an absinthe rinse).

For appetizers, we ordered the baked goat cheese with beautifully seasoned Texas toast-sized garlic bread (they included fresh chips to cater to my girlfriend’s gluten allergy), alongside just a couple of oysters, which was a mistake: we should’ve ordered a dozen each as these might’ve been the best oysters we’ve ever had.

For dinner, I went with my personal favorite, the bone-in filet mignon, which has limited availability (another bonus of dining at 5:30 p.m.), while my girlfriend went with the bone-in lamb chops, which were bigger than anything we’ve seen on “Hell’s Kitchen.” Both were perfectly cooked to our requested temperatures. We accompanied this by some brussels sprouts, another must-order as they were the best tasting sprouts we’ve ever had (as a former vegetarian, my partners stands by this). And while the dessert menu looked amazing, we were way too full to order anything from it, though the apple pie special would’ve enticed us on its smell alone.

Overall, I can easily see why this place is so sought out: Nothing felt rushed or slow thanks to our server, who seemed to be at a perfect pace throughout our two-hour-long dinner.

— Michael Tripp, Operations & Insights Manager

It’s one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago…

The smash burger at Longman & Eagle is always amazing and usually my go-to, but on my most recent visit, I tried the dry-aged strip steak and the Parisian gnocchi and they did not disappoint.

— Laura Benedetto, Implementation Specialist

Where to sit…

… at Foxtail on The Lake? That is the question. You could feast inside this former church, by its marquee-stained glass window and other stunning design elements. Or dine al fresco, where the expansive deck wraps around Lake Opeka (swan boats included) and the neighboring park. You really can’t go wrong either way, just take it all in with a seasonal cocktail in hand. On one visit, our table gobbled up platters of beef shawarma and a few flatbreads. On another, I enjoyed the chirashi poke bowl. And definitely come for weekend brunch (and get the jumbo lump crab omelet), Foxtail is a great spot for it that doesn’t feel oppressively brunchy (IYKYK).

Pro tip: Check out their art collection by local artists, which includes one of Hebru Brantley’s life-size FlyBoy sculptures.

— Angela Burke, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

We had an incredible meal…

… at Maxwells Trading. We loved the French onion dip and the pork belly, but the star of the show was the leek stuffed pappardelle with crawfish. The flavors were amazing — we enjoyed every single bite.

— Caroline Zody, Enterprise & Hotel Sales

The cheerful minimalist design…

… at Bueno Days Coffee in Little Village draws you in, and the staff are so friendly, too, including co-owner Alma Mora, who was rocking her baby to sleep in a stroller on my recent visit. Tamarind or hibiscus cold brew is super refreshing on a hot summer day, and there are always a couple of adventurous signature drinks on the menu, like a strawberry and tomato toasted rice latte. They also have excellent single-origin Mexican chocolate bars by Metiche, a woman-owned, bean-to-bar chocolate maker I had never tried before.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

More Chicago staff picks, right this way.