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Urbanbelly has opened a new location in Fulton Market with a beautiful patio, making it a great spot for a summer evening dinner in Chicago. With its Asian-inspired menu, creative cocktails, and variety of shareable dishes, Urbanbelly Fulton Market is a fun addition to the neighborhood. Starting with cocktails, we ordered the Prickly Business made with tequila, prickly pear, jalapeños, agave, Cointreau, and lime. This had the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, which I really

I’ve recently developed a love for Spanish tapas, so Mama Delia was the perfect Chicago restaurant to fulfill my craving. The menu features a variety of Spanish-inspired small plates, cocktails, and paella, making it a great spot to order a little bit of everything and try a variety of flavors. Starting with cocktails, I ordered the Margarita made with tequila, salted cucumber, and jalapeño. This was the perfect margarita for me because it wasn’t overly sweet and had just a s

Volo Wine Bar has been on my Chicago restaurant list for a while because I had heard about its great happy hour deals, so I finally had to give it a try myself. With $7 spritzes, $1 oysters, wine on tap, and discounted flatbreads, Volo is a great option for an affordable happy hour in Chicago. Starting with the $7 Spritzes, these were refreshing and the perfect way to kick off the evening. I loved having a lighter cocktail to sip on while enjoying the other happy hour special

While in Cincinnati, my friends wanted to venture out to Montgomery to try the extensive menu at Corner Dumpling House. With so many dumplings, noodles, rice dishes, and sides to choose from, it was the perfect restaurant to visit with a group so we could order a variety of dishes and try more of the menu. Starting with the dumplings, we ordered the Steamed Pork Soup Dumplings, Pan-Fried Pork Gyoza, Pork Wontons in Chili Oil, and Steamed Pork Buns. While I enjoyed every bite,

While visiting Cincinnati, one of my friends recommended dining at Danny Boy after having an incredible experience there before, so I knew I had to add it to my list. From the fresh seafood to the perfectly executed entrees, every dish we ordered had a ton of flavor and its own unique profile. To start, we ordered the tartare, Hamachi crudo, farm salad, and bread service. I enjoyed all of the dishes because everything tasted incredibly fresh while still bringing something dif

There’s nothing like going to a restaurant for a weekday dinner and finding out all bottles of wine are half off. Dining at mfk. on a Wednesday was the perfect choice for a girls’ night during the week. I really enjoyed everything we tried, especially how seafood-forward the menu was. Between the wine deal and variety of dishes, mfk. quickly became a new Chicago restaurant to add to my list. Starting with the Gilda, this was a light bite made with an olive, anchovy, and peppe

Felix recently introduced a $35 Girl Dinner menu, featuring a selection of cocktails, salads, and pasta dishes to choose from. I stopped by Felix for a Wednesday dinner to try the new menu, and it was the perfect excuse for a midweek dinner with plenty of good food and drinks. Starting with the 312 Martini, this cocktail had a floral flavor with subtle bubbles from the sparkling wine. It was light, refreshing, and a great way to start the meal. Next up were the Parmesan Fries

Pizza Lobo has been on my Chicago restaurant list for a while, so I was excited when the new West Loop location opened and gave my friends and me a chance to finally check it out. With a patio, cocktails, pizza, and some great weekday specials, Pizza Lobo is a fun addition to the Fulton Market restaurant scene. Starting with cocktails, I ordered the Spicy Paloma, which had the perfect balance of spicy and grapefruit flavors. It was refreshing without being overly sweet and wa

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

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.

Summer House Santa Monica is a well-known brunch destination in Chicago, offering a California-inspired menu with fresh ingredients and a great dining atmosphere. With an extensive brunch menu and bakery-style pastries, it’s a go-to spot for a relaxed weekend meal. It was surprisingly my first time dining here, so I stopped in to try their popular brunch offerings. To start, we shared the Warm Cinnamon Roll. This dish leaned more like a cinnamon croissant, with light, flaky l