Chicago’s Newest Restaurant Openings, Now on Resy

Among the array of stellar steakhouses in Chicago, this is one not to miss. Chef Stephen Sandoval (also of DIEGO) infuses the menu of premium cuts with inspiration from his time cooking in Northern Mexico, Argentina, and Spain. Think dry-aged ribeye smothered in huitlacoche bordelaise with duck fat refried beans, and smashed potatoes with sun-dried tomatoes. Pro tip: Hit the downstairs speakeasy-style bar Laberinto before or after your meal.

Read more about Trino here. 

This neighborhood gastropub is a good idea for a destination on any given night. Whether for drinks and snacks or a lively meal, the creative menu — with touches of inspiration from Britain’s South Asian flavors — always hits. You’ll want to make it a regular stop for vindaloo mussels and Berkshire pork schnitzel, plus daily specials like short rib shepherd’s pie.

From the quaint space to the comforting bites and bracing apéritif cocktails, it’s all the best kind of classic Italian. Focaccia and pastas are made in-house, chicken or eggplant parm is smothered in fresh mozzarella, and tavern-style pizzas are crisp and cracker-thin. Plus, the signature Calabrian dirty martini comes with a ‘nduja-gorgonzola stuffed olive — need we say more?

Art is the beating heart of this River North spot (the name means “life imitates art,” after all), from the Jackson Pollock-esque painting behind the bar to the local works lining the walls. What you find on the table is just as expressive, from the dishes that take inspiration from art to the handcrafted plates themselves. 

You can thank chef Todd Stein for bringing chic downtown vibes to Highwood: With Deere Park, Midwest seasonality meets European influences in a well-edited menu, where each dish is a standout. Expect lobster dumplings and stuffed garlic bread (yes, stuffed), or fennel-crusted chicken and porcini-rubbed sirloin. Do dive into the well curated French-American wine list.

Because Venetia is the perfect counterpart to Lake Bluff’s beloved Inovasi. There’s nothing that a good arancini can’t fix, and here they’re big and golden and filled with oozing taleggio cheese. Order those, alongside linguine with clams or corzetti with pesto, or pizza topped with zucchini, and the night is complete.

Dead Heads, rejoice: Garcia’s is here to enshrine Jerry Garcia in the West Loop. This tribute to the Grateful Dead is equal parts restaurant and music venue, and pays proper homage to the late leading member. Think a state-of-the-art sound system and a menu stacked with bites inspired by Jerry’s American comfort food favorites, like fava bean hummus and zucchini croquettes, a Mission street jumbo dog, and crispy fried chicken.

Doubling up on the success of the Glen Ellyn original, this friendly Park Ridge establishment serves a something-for-everybody menu — small plates, pizzas, pastas, salads, seafood, steaks, and more — enhanced with craft beers on tap, complex cocktails, and a list of wines at more than fair prices.

Good things come in threes, and after opening beloved locations in Wilmette and Lake Forest, the steakhouse powerhouse that is Sophia Steak chose River North. Prime steaks await, but regulars in the know book for nightly specials like the “angry lobster” spaghetti on Tuesdays and fried chicken on Sundays. And do save room for dessert: The 13-layer chocolate cake is epic.

You might just think you’re in Paris or Lyon when you sit down at this suave Geneva bistro. Here, the well-chosen wines flow freely and the menu offers oysters, onion soup, beef bourguignon, crème brûlée, and a treasure trove of other Gallic classics, served with style and grace.