The Chicago Traveler

The Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company brings together two things Chicago is famous for: pizza and Capone.
The Company is located across the street from where the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929 occurred, and rumor has it that the three-story brownstone served as a lookout point for Capone’s gangsters.
The restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, created by the pine paneling and wooden booths packed with tourists and locals alike. Despite the eatery’s name, you won’t find “Chicago pizza” here. Instead, the kitchen doles out a “pizza pot pie.” The creative dish includes a blend of cheeses, huge fresh mushrooms, homemade …read more

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There was a bit of dispute over my last Best Pizzas list, as I expected there would be. It is a Chicagoan debate that has gone on for generations and will continue probably forever. So, just to add more fuel to the fire, here is another list of Chicago’s ten best ‘pies’ (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).
Honorable Mention: Gino’s East. If you enjoy reading, the walls here provide plenty of material.

10. Pizzeria Uno. The one, the only, the original. Loosen your belts now.
9. Piece. These very non-Chicago-style slices are simply delicious.
8. Home Run Inn. This old neighborhood tavern offers the …read more

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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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I am and always will be a deep-dish pizza fan, but I can admit that the pieces of Piece can win me over.
No, this isn’t Chicago pizza by any definition; thin and hand-padded, these ‘pies’ are made with minimal toppings. Here, the crust and sauce are the primary ingredients. Slip into a booth and order up one of the award-winning brews while waiting for your red, white, or “plain” pizza.
Down the street from Zen Noodles, red pizzas begin with traditional tomato sauce and mozzarella. Whites are brushed with olive oil, diced garlic, and mozzarella cheese. “Plain” offers a plentiful amount …read more

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I have to admit, as much as I enjoy visiting new restaurants, I have a hard time trying new foods and flavors. When I find something I like, I stick to it. So my approach to Indian cuisine was cautious at best, considering many of its spices and curries are “exotic” by American standards. I also tend to shy away from spicy mustards, cinnamon, and coconut—all prominent ingredients in Indian dishes. I know I’m not alone in my trepidation. Veerasway in the Warehouse District may be helpful to those of us who need to ease our way into a new …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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Romance shouldn’t be reserved for just Valentine’s Day. As the temperatures begin to cool down, you can keep your relationship hot by visiting one or more of the ten best romantic date spots (courtesy of Citysearch and Yelp).

10. Shanghai Terrace. With elegant art and a beautiful view, this Asian restaurant offers delicious sophistication.
9. Cyrano’s Bistrot and Wine Bar. The River North eatery serves French basics amidst casual, rustic surroundings.
8. Le Bouchon. Authentic and delicious French dishes at remarkable prices make this bistro one of Bucktown’s best.
7. Angelina Ristorante. In Lakeview, the popular date spot provides authentic Italian in a comfortable …read more

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At Juicy Wine Company in River West, wine lovers browse through the retail space and select their preferred combinations of vintages and complements (pate, olives, and cheese). You can take these purchases home or head upstairs to the lounge. Here, hipsters gab in semicircular booths and small tables while a DJ spins on an elevated stage. Exposed brick with light wood and cork details complete the contemporary space (southeast of Soulistic Studio).
If you choose to sit a spell, the wine list is categorized quite neatly, separated by color and body. A few are available by the glass, but most come …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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Who says pizza is unrefined? Certainly not La Madia, a River North restaurant whose motto is “Art of Pizza, Love of Wine.”
You’ll know this isn’t any ordinary pizza place when you see the floor-to-ceiling wine wall behind the bar. Groups of friends and romantic couples fill the striped booths and the pizza bar surrounding the wood-burning oven. The atmosphere is business-casual, so while you’ll want to don more than t-shirt and jeans, leave the neckties and high heels at home.
The menu at La Madia (just around the corner from Blue Water Grill) features about a dozen contemporary thin-crust pizzas, all …read more

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