PenCities

Dining Out

• Shanghai Terrace
  Step into the seductive setting of Shanghai Terrace and savor distinctive Asian cuisine created by Chef de Cuisine Ivan Yuen. Consistently honored with the AAA Four Diamond Award, Shanghai Terrace features a menu of traditional Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes, with a modern twist. The popular terrace offers incredible views of Chicago’s skyline and the private dining area can accommodate up to 30 guests.
  
  The Peninsula Chicago, 108 East Superior Street (at North Michigan Avenue)
  Tel: (1-312) 337 2888
• Sepia
  This former 1890 print shop is a contemporary space for some of the most luscious Contemporary American food in the city. Former NoMI sous chef Kendal Duque ably mans the kitchen, while owner Emmanuel Nony keeps things running smoothly in the dining room. The décor at Sepia is like nowhere else, with brick walls and an old freight elevator; and on the menu nothing surpasses the pork rillette with fig preserve.
  
  123 North Jefferson Street, The Loop
  Tel: (1-312) 441 1920
• Arun's
  Filled with the chef's own artwork, this is the second, larger incarnation of Thai chef-owner Arun Sampanthavivat's restaurant. The delicious menu takes its inspiration from Thai cooking and is strikingly presented with Arun's signature flair. The award-winning restaurant is known for its prix fixe degustations, tailored to each diner's tastes.
  
  4156 North Kedzie Avenue, Wrigleyville
  Tel: (1-773) 539 1909
  
• The Bongo Room
  The line forms early on the weekend at this Wicker Park restaurant, where the seasonally changing menu features creative takes on French toast and pancakes. Treats like lemon buttermilk and raspberry cheesecake hotcakes and brioche French toast with dried-cherry compote and orange crème anglaise are just a few of the selections on the extensive breakfast menu. Egg dishes are also popular choices.
  
  1470 North Milwaukee Avenue, Wicker Park
  Tel: (1-773) 489 0710
  
• Gibson's
  Best known for being a gathering place for Chicago's "who's who", this is an upscale steakhouse. The restaurant serves patrons American cuisine with an emphasis on generous portions of seafood and steaks. Gibson's also serves up huge Martinis and allows cigar smoking at its popular bar. With seating for 200 people, the lively establishment remains busy every night of the week.
  
  1028 North Rush Street, Gold Coast
  Tel: (1-312) 266 8999
  
• Jane's
  This neighbourhood hot spot attracts patrons from all over the city to dine on the homey cooking created for gourmet palates. Jane’s is located in a traditional green brick home on a residential street on the edge of Bucktown. The dining room is intimate and the service is friendly and efficient. Vegetarians will find items like a blue cheese quesadilla with spicy apple compote, while hearty eaters will enjoy menu selections like the goat cheese and herb-stuffed chicken breast, roasted monkfish or grilled beef tenderloin.
  
  1655 West Cortland Street, Bucktown
  Tel: (1-773) 862 5263
• Japonais
  The newest restaurant to grace Chicago’s River West neighborhood, Japonais serves modern Asian cuisine offering both sushi and sashimi as well as cooked dishes like Kobe beef prepared on hot rocks, tableside. This high-style urban restaurant is set along the Chicago River and features an expansive lounge and outdoor seating. Japonais has an in-depth wine list including sake and an extensive cocktail list.
  
  600 West Chicago Avenue, River West
  Tel: (1-312) 822 9600
• Nacional 27
  The sleek and dramatic dining room is reminiscent of a Latin supper club with a seating area in the centre of the restaurant, which doubles as a dance floor on Saturday nights for salsa. The “27” in the name represents the 27 Latin American and Caribbean countries that inspire its diverse menu. Diners can choose from aperitivos, seafood cocktails, empanadas, arepas and entrees, as well as an exotic selection of cocktails.
  
  325 West Huron Street, River West
  Tel: (1-312) 664 2727
• Naha
  Understated and modern, the long, narrow dining room is all browns and creams, with hardwood floors, and straight-backed wood chairs give the space a simple comfort. The seasonal American and Mediterranean-influenced menu offers items like celery root soup with tender roasted squab and plump, sweet roasted sea scallops scented with vanilla bean. Just north of the Chicago River, the cityscape can be seen through two expansive walls of windows.
  
  500 North Clark Street, River North
  Tel: (1-312) 321 6242
• Pelago
  Chef Mauro Mafrici and his wife, Architect Kimberly Anguil Mafrici help their guests experience Italian food and dining in a whole new way. Their newest venture, Pelago, redefines up-scale Italian dining with a focus on homemade pastas and seafood. For every guest, Italian cuisine will be redefined. The traditions of Italian cooking from the North to the South of Italy have been translated with a local twist and modern cooking flair to create a contemporary menu for an outstanding culinary journey.
  
  201 East Delaware Place, Gold Coast
  Tel: (1-312) 280 0700
• Topolobampo
  Located alongside Frontera Grill, Topolobampo shares its kitchen and also serves gourmet Mexican cuisine. However, Topolobampo is the higher-end room, with a more subdued mood and a luxury menu composed of pricier ingredients. Topolobampo is refined but fun, with a sophisticated south-of-the-border feel.
  
  445 North Clark Street, River North
  Tel: (1-312) 661 1434
• Sunda
  This River North new Asian spot where Rodelio Aglibot, a.k.a. the “Food Buddha” (and former executive chef at L.A.’s Koi) is in the kitchen. The restaurant’s name is a nod to the Sunda Shelf, a Southeast Asian landmass, and incorporates modern takes on dishes from throughout the region. A large chunk of the lineup is devoted to China and Japan, but fare from other countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, makes an appearance too.
  
  110 W. Illinois St., River North
  Tel: (1-312) 644-0500