Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/861960
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ZACHARY JAMES JOHNSTON PHOTOGRAPHY DINE & DRINK NEW ARUN'S The king of Thai food in Chicago, chef Arun Sampanthavivat's Northwest Side restaurant is a temple to the art of fine Asian fare. Indulge in prix-fixe-only 10- and 12-course menus and craft cocktails in the recently reinvented space. 4156 N. Kedzie Ave., 773-539-1909; arunsthai.com THE AVIARY From world-famous Alinea chef Grant Achatz and partner Nick Kokonas, Fulton Market District's The Aviary is the city's premier destination for avant-garde cocktails. INSIDER TIP: After your first drink, ask your server if there's room in the teensy downstairs speakeasy The Office—home of the ultimate classic cocktails—for round two. 955 W. Fulton Market; theaviary.com BANGERS & LACE It's a sausage fest at this curated craft beer and encased-meats restaurant, whose recently opened Addison Street location gives Wrigleyvillers a dignified alternative to the sports bar madness. INSIDER TIP: Brunch is a real find; don't miss the shakshouka, a spicy Moroccan tomato stew with eggs and lamb sausage. 1851 W. Addison St., 773-697-8667; 1670 W. Division St., 773-252-6499; 810 Grove St., Evanston, 847-905-0854; bangersandlace.com BAR LUPO Double whammy: Not only does this River North Italian pub boast an industry vet in owner Brian O'Connor (Maple & Ash, RIA, North Pond)—the beverage program is curated by star mixologist Liz Pearce. Chicken parm and an Aperol spritz? Yes, please. INSIDER TIP: Dig into the killer late-night menu with meatball subs and $3 house shots. 217 W. Huron St., 312-643-3400; barlupochicago.com NEW BARRIO For its latest concept, DineAmic Group teams up with another Top Chef veteran, Katsuji Tanabe, for a Mexican restaurant with a bit of Asian flair (think dishes like grilled diver scallops with poblano-uni relish) in a stunning, expansive space smack in the heart of River North. 65 W. Kinzie St., 312-940-9900; barriochicago.com BODEGA As if the ACME Hotel weren't already a hotbed of craft cocktails (Berkshire Room, anyone?), the surging Fifty/50 Restaurant Group has opened this upstairs sister venue serving "all things fizzy, frosty, and boozy." 15 E. Ohio St., 312-894- 0945; acmehotelcompany.com BOLEO One of the latest in Chicago's string of hot-hot-hot hotel bars, this sexy rooftop lounge in the Kimpton Gray Hotel serves contemporary takes on South American street fare—think ceviche and empanadas—alongside pisco-centric cocktails and sultry live music. 122 W. Monroe St., 15th Fl., 312-750-9007; boleochicago.com BROKEN ENGLISH TACO PUB Mexican street food gets the Technicolor treatment at this vibrant, whimsical new destination from Chicago restaurant legend Phil Stefani. Offerings include 12 kinds of tacos (shrimp, barbacoa, carne asada), plus snacks like achiote hummus and street corn hush puppies. 75 E. Lake St., 312-929- 3601; tacopub.com CHICAGO CUT STEAKHOUSE Drawing a high-profile crowd ranging from government types to visiting celebs and local athletes, this sleek riverside destination from industry vets David Flom and Matt Moore has risen to become one of the city's most popular restaurants—and with its spot- on service and primo steakhouse fare (the decadent "lobsterscargot" is life- changing), it's no wonder. 300 N. LaSalle St., 312-329-1800; chicago cutsteakhouse.com CINDY'S This buzzing terrace atop the land- mark Chicago Athletic Association Hotel has been among the hottest tables in town since its 2015 opening, thanks to Christian Ragano's creative cuisine and killer year-round views of Millennium Park. INSIDER TIP: Lunch is a much easier reservation—and boasts one of the best duck confits in the city. 12 S. Michigan Ave.,13th Fl., 312-792- 3502; cindysrooftop.com COCO CHAMPAGNE LOUNGE Nightlife impresario Andy Li (TR Napa Valley) returns with this new addition to Hubbard Street's red-hot dining and drinking scene: a posh, multilevel restaurant and wine bar in the heart of River North. 23 W. Hubbard St.; cocochampagnelounge.com THE FLAMINGO RUM CLUB From Caribbean-inspired tapas to luxe bottle service and a bar serving up mojitos, daiquiris, and caipirinhas, this island-focused restaurant and cabaret aims to bring the spirit of Havana to River North. INSIDER TIP: Wednesdays feature a can't-miss cabaret starting at 9 pm. 601 N. Wells St., 312-929-0060; theflamingorumclub.com HUBBARD INN Eclectic, clubby décor, smart craft cocktails, and a globe-spanning menu of dishes like duck fat- poached scallops, lamb meatballs, and lobster deviled eggs make this a Hubbard Street favorite. 110 W. 144 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM ‒ Secret Source ‒ RODELIO AGLIBOT WHO: Chef/partner, FireFin Poké Shop ( firefinpoke.com), E+O Food and Drink (eofoodanddrink.com), Now Open Project (nowopenproject.com). HOME 'HOOD: The Loop. "I love that there is so much energy during the day—it reminds me of NYC. At night, it becomes a ghost town and gives me some peace and quiet when I get home." GO-TO SPOT: "I travel a lot, and when I come back I crave Monti's (4757 N. Talman Ave., 773-942- 6012; ilovemontis.com) for cheesesteaks. I also love Chi Café (2160 S. Archer Ave., 312-842-9993; chicafeonline.com) in Chinatown, a Hong Kong-style diner that serves the comfort food I grew up with." HIDDEN GEM: "Prosecco (710 N. Wells St., 312-951-9500; prosecco.us.com) in River North is one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in Chicago." DE-STRESS METHOD: "I go for walks. It lets me take moments for myself and take the time to appreciate the things that I'm gifted with." FALL FASHION ESSENTIAL: "Scarves—the more color, the better. I have 20 to 25 from all around the world in different materials." The SOURCE: SCENE