The Chicago Traveler

Oh Volo… where do I even begin? Your radiant décor? Your chic food? Your comfortable, social atmosphere?
Owner Jon Young (co-creator of Kitsch’n across the street) and chef Stephen Dunne are behind this Roscoe Village wine bar, which has been featured on The Food Channel. The restaurant bears striking design with dark brown walls, dim lighting, and a small open kitchen. Couples and small groups relax over granite tabletops, completing the modern yet warm vibe.
The weekly-rotating menu includes small tapas-like dishes that focus on organic and local produce. Past plates have featured heirloom tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella and basil vinaigrette; mussels …read more

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What’s your favorite cocktail? Gin and tonic? Rum and cola? Vodka and fruit juice? Sure, these classics are great, but perhaps your mixology menu could use a refresher. Have a taste of Shochu.
Shochu, a restaurant bar in Lakeview (formerly Platiyo, three doors north of Andalous), is named after a popular beverage in Japan. The alcohol is low in calories (15-20 in one ounce) and is distilled from a variety of starches (including barley and sweet potatoes). Its incredible versatility results in numerous delicious flavors. The lounge offers over a dozen versions of the signature spirit, all of which make their …read more

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The restaurant scene in Chicago is constantly evolving, always keeping up with people’s new tastes or trends. Here are a few restaurants that have only been around for a year or so, but they have already made a name for themselves in the dining biz.
Chalkboard, a contemporary American restaurant in North Center, is just that: a restaurant with oversized chalkboards that list the specials of the day. Rather than constantly reprinting menus, the owners are able to easily change these boards on a daily basis. Aside from the namesake wall-length chalkboard, the small dining room features white molding, linen-clad tables, …read more

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As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, here’s a look back at some of the moments in which The Chicago Traveler celebrated Latin culture and tradition.
• Two to Tango: There are places throughout the city where you can learn and practice this passionate dance from Argentina.
• La Pasadita may not look like much on the outside, but it’s quite possibly one of the best taquerias in the city.
• Carnivale features Brazilian, Cuban, Colombian, and Puerto Rican food which the executive chef likes to call “Latin soul food.”
• A Mexican sauce made from chile peppers and other spices, mole comes …read more

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Just below the Clark Street bridge in River North, you’ll find a cool riverside restaurant, Flatwater. (“Flatwater” refers to certain wake-free sections of the Chicago River, where drivers are asked to cool their boats’ engines in order to preserve the calm.) A street-level elevator in a former bridge house descends to the dimly lit lounge with varnished dark wood paneling and peach-colored stone walls. Complete with magnificent views of the city, a lower-level patio right on the river’s edge, and a rooftop terrace café, this casually elegant eatery is certainly a summer sizzler.

Pull up along the 400 feet of docking …read more

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