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One of the best parts of living in Chicago is that there are always new restaurants opening, and Gingie is one of the newest spots to check out in River North. Gingie comes from the same restaurant group behind Boka, so I was excited to dine there on opening night and try the menu. From creative cocktails to unique takes on familiar dishes, there were so many different flavors and textures throughout the meal. Starting with a signature cocktail, I ordered the Sour Lime Smoke

Umi Sushi is quickly becoming my go-to lunch spot in Chicago’s Loop thanks to its fresh sushi, wide selection, and unbeatable prices. One of the things that makes Umi Sushi stand out is its pay-by-weight sushi concept, where you build your own plate and pay based on the total weight. It's a fun and affordable way to try a variety of sushi without committing to full rolls. On my visit, I tried the spicy tuna crispy rice, tuna and salmon rolls, and a selection of nigiri, includ

LIA Tavern first caught my attention after launching its popular $30 Girl Dinner special, available Tuesday through Thursday. As someone who is always looking for the best happy hour deals in Chicago, I knew I had to check it out. After spending a Thursday evening at LIA Tavern, I can confidently say this deal is one of the best values I’ve found for a girls’ night out, offering multiple courses, great cocktails, and a cozy neighborhood atmosphere. To start, I ordered an Aper

While spending a weekend in New Buffalo, Michigan, restaurant options felt somewhat limited, which made choosing where to eat a little easier. After hearing great things about PostBoy, we decided to give it a try—and it ended up being one of the biggest dining surprises of our trip. We kicked off the meal with the Pimento Cheese Dip, served with kimchi, strawberry gochujang jam, and saltines. This appetizer was outstanding. The creamy pimento cheese paired beautifully with th

Giant has been on my “must-try” list for a while, but after finally dining there, I genuinely think it deserves a spot on everyone’s Chicago restaurant list. Known for its creative Italian-inspired menu and bold flavor combinations, Giant in Logan Square delivers a memorable dining experience in the city. We started with cocktails, including the Red Flag made with mezcal and citrus, which was bright, smoky, and perfectly balanced. For appetizers, the Jalapeño Biscuit with map

Will’s Northwoods Inn has been recommended to me countless times for its famous Chicken Caesar Wrap, so I finally made a stop to try it for myself. After visiting, I can confidently say the Chicken Caesar Wrap lives up to the hype and is one of the better versions I’ve had in Chicago. The wrap was perfectly balanced with crispy chicken, crunchy croutons, fresh romaine and kale, and just the right amount of Caesar dressing. Every bite had the ideal mix of texture and flavor wi

Publican Quality Meats is a Chicago staple I’ve visited a few times, but this was my first time actually sitting down for lunch. I ordered the Turkey Bacon Ranch Sandwich on sesame sourdough, made with avocado, bibb lettuce, marinated Roma tomato, and ranch. Every bite tasted fresh and perfectly balanced—the savory turkey and bacon paired beautifully with the creamy avocado, crisp lettuce, and tangy ranch. Publican Quality Meats: 825 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL

Chicago Waffles is a West Loop neighborhood breakfast spot known for its extensive all-day menu, comforting classics, and, of course, its signature waffles. I recently had the opportunity to visit Chicago Waffles and explore some of its most popular breakfast offerings, and it was the perfect way to start the day. To begin, I ordered a classic Vanilla Latte which was exactly what I needed. For my entrée, I chose the Breakfast Sandwich, made with bacon, a fried egg, and cheese

Carbon is one of the newer additions to Chicago’s West Loop dining scene, and after visiting for happy hour, I can confidently say it offers one of the best happy hour deals in the neighborhood. With discounted cocktails, oysters, caviar, and burgers, Carbon delivers an elevated experience with a great happy hour To start, I ordered the $6 Lychee Martini, which was sweet, refreshing, and exactly what I was hoping for. Next, we tried the $1 oysters, served with cocktail sauce,

El Che Steakhouse & Bar had been on my Chicago restaurant bucket list for quite some time, and I finally had the chance to visit for a Saturday night dinner. Known for its live-fire cooking, Argentine-inspired flavors, and expertly prepared steaks, El Che delivered an unforgettable dining experience from start to finish. To begin the evening, I ordered the First Class cocktail, a unique blend of mezcal, tequila, Licor 43, cacao, and lemon. The cocktail was smooth and balanced

During my visit to Austin, I had dinner at Nido, a rooftop restaurant known for its stunning downtown Austin views and fresh, seasonal cuisine. To start, I ordered the Smoke & Fire Margarita, a cocktail made with mezcal, tequila, orgeat, lime, and guava. The smoky notes from the mezcal were perfectly balanced by the citrus and subtle sweetness from the guava, creating a refreshing cocktail. For our first course, we shared the Burrata, served with piquillo romesco, pomegranate

Pizz’Amici has quickly become one of the most sought-after reservations in Chicago, with limited seating and high demand making it one of the toughest tables to secure. When a 10pm reservation opened up, I grabbed it immediately, and it absolutely delivered on the hype. From standout cocktails to ultra-crispy pizzas, this Chicago pizza spot offers a full dining experience that lives up to its buzz. One of the highlights of the night were the cocktails. I ordered the Margarita

Petite Edith is one of the newest additions to Chicago’s River North dining scene, created by the team behind Esmé. Known for its elevated French-inspired cuisine and polished atmosphere, the restaurant has quickly become a standout for a refined night out in the city. To start the evening, I ordered the Conicule, made with mezcal, Salers, and citrus. The drink balanced smoky, bitter, and citrus notes. An unexpected bonus dish turned into one of the highlights of the night. F

Hiro Izakaya is a popular Japanese izakaya in Chicago known for its shareable small plates, sushi-inspired bites, and elevated comfort food. With a menu designed for group dining, it’s the kind of place where ordering a variety of dishes is the best way to experience everything. I had been wanting to try Hiro Izakaya for a while, and it fully lived up to expectations. To start, I ordered a classic Lychee Martini. It was light, sweet, and a refreshing way to kick off the meal.

Frasca Pizzeria + Wine Bar offers a standout prix fixe brunch in Chicago, combining Italian-inspired dishes with a lively dining experience. Known for its pizzas, house-made pastas, and weekend brunch menu, Frasca delivers a well-rounded mix of sweet and savory options. I visited for a prix fixe brunch and was impressed by both the variety and execution of each dish. The brunch includes bottomless cocktails, and I opted for Aperol Spritzes throughout the meal. Light, citrusy,

Ambar brings Balkan cuisine to the heart of Chicago, offering a unique all-you-can-eat dining experience in River North. I visited on a Thursday evening to experience both the food and the lively patio scene. To start, I ordered the Plum cocktail made with mezcal, vanilla-infused plum rakia, ginger, pineapple, and lime. The drink balanced smoky, citrusy, and slightly savory flavors, making it a refreshing and well-rounded cocktail. The highlight of the meal was the Balkan dip

GG’s Chicken Shop has been a long-standing favorite to try on my Chicago restaurant list, known for its crispy fried chicken, bold flavors, and elevated fast-casual menu. With a reputation for serving some of the best chicken sandwiches and wraps in Chicago, it was finally time to see if it lived up to the hype. The standout order was the Chicken Caesar Wrap, made with crispy fried chicken, kale and Brussels sprouts, pickled onion, and Caesar dressing. The fried chicken deliv

Toro is a Latin American-inspired restaurant in Chicago known for its vibrant small plates, fresh seafood, and creative craft cocktails. One of the standout cocktails is the Mercado Margarita, made with jalapeño-infused tequila, passion fruit, lime, and hibiscus with rosemary foam. The drink strikes a perfect balance between sweet, spicy, and citrusy notes, and the presentation is just as impressive as the flavor. To begin the meal, we ordered a selection of shared appetizers

Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar is one of the most popular restaurants in Chicago, known for its inventive dishes, bold flavors, and notoriously difficult reservations. The experience blends elevated comfort food with Sichuan-inspired heat and classic Chinese-American favorites, making it one of the most talked-about dining spots in the city. The meal began with Crab Rangoon and Wontons in Chili Oil. Both appetizers were flavorful and well-balanced, offering two distinct flavor p

While searching for the best chicken Caesar wraps in Chicago, Happy Camper kept coming up, so it was time to try for myself. The Chicken Caesar Wrap is packed with romaine, kale, parmesan cheese, grilled chicken, crunchy croutons, and creamy Caesar dressing, all wrapped together in a way that perfectly balances texture and flavor. The lettuce tasted fresh, while the croutons added the perfect crunch in every bite. What stood out most was how well everything was proportioned—n