The Chicago Restaurants We Loved in August

The perfect drink on a humid 90+ summer day…

… is the homemade cherry limeade at The Warbler. That and a prosciutto and brie sandwich (which had a delicious pear vinaigrette to balance off the saltiness), a large patio that feels private (even though it’s off busy Lincoln Avenue), and you’ve got yourself a perfect casual lunch spot.

— Linnea Framnes, Software Engineer

For a trendy yet unpretentious gem…

… head to Trino in the West Loop, for its fun and welcoming space. Portions are definitely big enough to share, but you can also sit at the bar for a girl dinner of avocado honeydew gazpacho and crab tostadas, and see if you can spot the steaks, forks, and plants in the ceiling mural above the bar.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Before a Cubs game…

… my family and I went to Happy Camper in Wrigleyville and it was such a lively and fun spot. We got a pepperoni pizza to share, some chicken tenders, a chicken sandwich, and a huge grilled cheese with tomato soup. The food was awesome and the pizza had such depth of flavor for what seemed to be just a simple pepperoni pie.

— Julie Cox, Fraud Prevention Specialist

For an incredible omakase experience…

… head to Kai Zan. The salmon nigiri soaked overnight in ponzu and the flaming raw scallop were real standouts. There are a lot of other great dishes to explore but everything we had that evening was fantastic. So run, don’t walk, and try this special experience.

— Ryne Estwing, Lead Web Developer

It might look unassuming…

… but this sparsely appointed sports bar on Lawrence Avenue in Albany Park shouldn’t be overlooked. PrimeTime Bar & Grill has been quietly building steady buzz since its opening in 2023, thanks to its solid lineup of cocktails and several variations of smash burgers that have been deemed some of Chicago’s best.

The burger is indeed among the city’s greats, its crisp, lacy patty draping over the edge of a fresh sesame seed bun. The classic comes with American cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, pickles, and so-called “PrimeTime sauce” — alternatively, the craggy french fries can be ordered “loaded” with the contents of the burger. PrimeTime isn’t showy, but it deserves accolades for what it gets right. The chicken smash burger even retains much of the charm of the beef one, and (shockingly!) isn’t the slightest bit dry. Definitely start with the expertly battered and fried Buffalo cauliflower, too.

— Marnie Shure, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

If you love butter flavor options for your steak…

… STK Chicago happily provides. On our latest visit, we’d ordered a NY strip and a tomahawk, and went with the umami butter for one and the lobster butter for the other. Didn’t expect the staff to bring the butter to our table and melt it in front of us, which was a cool tableside trick. For sides, we got brussels sprouts and truffle fries (both great), while dessert was an order of donuts, which came with a few different dipping sauces on the side. They even brought out a sparkler for my husband’s birthday.

— Jamie Ryan, Senior Fraud Prevention Specialist

With everything sourced as locally as possible…

… Nettare’s my go-to for out-of-town friends, so they may try local beer, spirits, and Midwest cheeses. It’s a great spot for coffee or cocktail meetings, with excellent happy hour deals to boot. I’m obsessed with the black walnut honey latte, and of course, all syrups are made in house.

— Amber Gibson, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Everything we ate blew us away…

… at Giant, especially the dishes from their test kitchen menu. (Pro tip: Make sure you order at least a few dishes from this special menu — it might be your only chance to try something new!) The Japanese eggplant was a highlight for us, especially for the fried bread it comes with. The single bite that is the trout roe is an explosion of flavor, and the perfect way to start the meal. And there’s nothing better than using great bread to clean up a plate, and their sourdough was the perfect vessel for mopping up leftover sauce. The star of the show for us, though, was the pork schnitzel with hollandaise sauce. It was an incredible combination of salty, crispy, and savory. For dessert, we ordered a sweet corn ice cream (off the test kitchen menu), which arrived on top of a mini old-fashioned donut: a sweet and perfect pairing.

— Joey Shulman, Senior Product Designer

We were so impressed…

… by our dining experience at Sensō. We sat outside on the patio on a perfect summer night and the vibes were great. Our waiter had amazing recommendations and made dinner a delight. Our favorite dish was the lobster filet roll — the taste was unique and it was cooked perfectly. Can’t wait to try more of the menu on our next visit.

— Alina Slawek, Enterprise Specialist

For your next summer date night…

… Trivoli Tavern is a must. With its cobblestone floors, twinkling string lights, and old-world charm, dining on the patio at this West Loop gem is like being transported to a European terrasse. Plus, the elevated tavern fare pairs beautifully with their expertly crafted cocktails and attentive service.

— Kristy Raasch, Global Dining RevOps & Enablement Manager

If you’re in the mood for a classic, straight-from-grandma’s kitchen-style Italian…

… then Ignotz is where you want to be. My cozy special occasion dinner left me satisfied and eager to return. Plus, this dinner for two with two appetizers, two cups of soup, a bottle of wine, and two entrées didn’t break the bank either.

The fresh bread — served with olive oil and a whole roasted garlic bulb to spread and share — tipped me off immediately to just how delicious this meal was about to be. It was more than 85 degrees outside and I make no apologies for how quickly I finished that cup of minestrone soup. My chicken à la Tippi was juicy and the citrusy lemon butter sauce it soaked in was a perfect complement to the creamy bowl of vodka rigatoni on its side. A table to my right enjoyed a crisp, thin-crust pizza with a cheese pull I couldn’t ignore and ended their meal with a scoop of gelato I also regret not ordering. Ignotz, I promise I’ll be back, ready to work my way through more classic Italian plates.

— Angela Pagan, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Nothing beats…

… Maxwells Trading for a birthday celebration, where they welcomed us with a complimentary glass of bubbly to start the meal. Every dish was delicious, but my favorite was the Basque butter cake for dessert — I absolutely love sweets and this one was so decadent. What a great way to end a special meal.

— Linnea Framnes, Software Engineer

A friend recently texted me…

… about a “life-changing” amaro affogato she had at Lula Café. Obviously, I had to try it, so she made us a reservation and we went. The meal was lovely, and it was hard to save room for dessert. But I was glad I did. This was no normal affogato. A shot of bitter-yet-sweet amaro was subbed for the usual espresso, and it was poured over two small scoops of coffee ice cream. It was beautiful. Pro tip: Lula’s amaro affogato is only $10 during happy hour, available daily from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

— Ally Marotti, Chicago Writer, Resy Editorial

Bonus: We celebrated our wedding anniversary…

… at Odd Duck in Milwaukee, and it was such a great experience. We started with some standout chile crisp deviled eggs and East coast oysters, before moving onto a refreshing and perfectly seasonal peach and tomato salad, which struck a lovely balance between sweet and savory. There was also a delicious falafel-crusted lamb kibbeh and a steak skewer. But the highlight of the night was undoubtedly the allium pancake, a dish that burst with flavor: layered, aromatic, and impossible to stop eating — the kind of dish that leaves a lasting impression. Overall, Odd Duck’s warm and lively atmosphere made it a perfect place to celebrate this special occasion.

— Mary Mapes, VP of Support for Resy & Tock

More Chicago staff picks, right this way.