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
Hubbard St., 312-222-1331; hubbardinn.com KATANA From LA-based Innovative Dining Group, this hit Sunset Strip restaurant has brought its signature combination of sushi and classic Japanese barbecue to River North in a sprawling, 13,000-square-foot space featuring a lounge, sushi bar, and 299-seat dining room. 339 N. Dearborn St.; innovativedining.com LEÑA BRAVA The Rick Bayless empire continues to expand with this always-packed Baja-style addition to Restaurant Row. Sip a Leña Ice (mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, lime, cucumber, and serrano pepper) while people- watching over a tempting plate of ceviche, black cod "al pastor," or a 32-ounce tomahawk steak. 900 W. Randolph St., 312-733-1975; rickbayless.com/lena-brava LH One of Chicago's hottest bars, this trilevel rooftop hangout at the LondonHouse hotel boasts a magnifi- cent city view and scores with craft cocktails and creative American fare. INSIDER TIP: For a primo proposal location, book the Cupola, LondonHouse's exquisitely intimate indoor/outdoor space at the tippy-top of the hotel. 85 E. Upper Wacker Dr., 21st—23rd Fls., 312-357-1200; londonhousechicago.com/rooftop MASTRO'S This glitzy River North destination for steaks and sushi brings a little bit of Hollywood to the Windy City's carnivorous dining scene. The indulgent warm butter cake is one of the city's top desserts. INSIDER TIP: Catch nightly live music in the lounge from acts like the aptly named trio the Champagne Kings. 520 N. Dearborn St., 312-521- 5100; mastrosrestaurants.com MORTON'S THE STEAKHOUSE A Chicago original since 1978, Morton's is still one of the city's absolute best places for steak. INSIDER TIP: Catch the bar's 5–8 pm weekday "Power Hour" for primo food and drink specials. 1050 N. State St., 312-266-4820; 65 E. Wacker Pl., 312-201-0410; mortons.com OCEAN CUT CHICAGO At this sophisticated yet approachable seafood destination from Chicago Cut partners David Flom and Matt Moore, guests can expect überfresh and flavorful fare like jungle-curry mussels and swordfish au poivre. INSIDER TIP: Make tracks to the Shark Bar on Tuesdays during Happy Hour (4 – 7 pm), when the restaurant raffles off a pair of Jimmy Choos. 20 W. Kinzie St., 312-280-8882; oceancutchicago.com OTTO MEZZO The latest collaboration between nightlife maestros Rockit Ranch Productions and Michelin-starred chef Kevin Hickey, this Italian hangout opened in the spring to instant acclaim. Expect intriguing large-format and individual cocktails alike from award- winning mixologist Brandon Phillips in an Italian arts- and cinema-inspired space. 311 W. Chicago Ave., 312-234- 0884; ottomezzobar.com NEW PEARL TAVERN This newly renovated Loop seafood destination gets creative, with menu options ranging from daily-changing ceviche and salmon carpaccio with soy ginger vinaigrette to charred octo- pus, lobster BLTs, and pan-seared scallops with banana cauliflower purée. 180 N. Upper Wacker Dr., 312-629-1030; pearltavern.com PELAGO It's all in the family at this lovely, intimate Raffaello Hotel restaurant, where Michelin-starred chef Mauro Mafrici crafts exquisite Italian fare— delicate beef carpaccio with cremini mushrooms, penne pasta with hen ragù and sage—in an elegant space designed by wife Kimberly Anguil Mafrici, an architect and interior designer. 201 E. Delaware Pl., 312- 280-0700; pelagorestaurant.com PROXI One of the summer's hottest openings, this new Fulton Market District destination from the award- winning team of Emmanuel Nony and chef Andrew Zimmerman gives global street food the gourmet treatment. A livelier, more casual counterpoint to Sepia, its chic-but- buttoned-down sibling restaurant next door, Proxi features bites like tempura elotes and fried fish collars with Thai garlic-chili sauce. 565 W. Randolph St., 312-441-1920; proxichicago.com ROCKIT From nightlife king Billy Dec and the squad at Rockit Ranch (Sunda, Bottlefork, Underground, Duck Inn), this was River North's first sports bar- lounge-restaurant hybrid, and it's still the best. The smartly crafted bar fare includes everything from gourmet burgers and salads to addictive, pizza roll-esque Rockit Pockits. 22 W. Hubbard St., 312-645-6000; rockitbarandgrill.com SOUTHERN CUT BBQ First steak, then seafood; now the team behind Chicago Cut and Ocean Cut has embraced barbecue with this new Streeterville restaurant—and with 'cue queen Lee Ann Whippen manning the kitchen, this one is making fans of Southern fare sit up and take notice. 198 E. Delaware Pl., 312-280-8887; southerncutbbq.com STEAK 48 Mastro's founders Jeffrey and Michael Mastro have brought their PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL STRABBING Creative takes on global street food—like this roasted eggplant with tahini, pomegranate, and paratha—are making Proxi one of the city's must-try new dining spots. 146 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM The SOURCE: SCENE