Savoring the taste of the best of Chicago
What the eyes cannot discover, the palate will. If you’re truly an adventurer at heart (and you probably are or want to be if you’re reading this article), then you’ll jump at the opportunity to get a comprehensive overview of the city by immersing yourself in the local culture that not only includes local attractions and accommodation, but also local cuisine.
Although dining is also about savoring the ambience, a Chicago dining experience like most Southern cuisine will come down to a single point of evaluation: full flavor. Before, southern food, which Chicago has always used, has always been rated as some of the richest in flavor, but it also has some of the most basic cuisines in the kitchen. Since then, every dining room in Chicago has become one of the most exciting dining experiences visited not only by locals and tourists, but also by food critics.
There are several restaurants dotting Chicago’s neighborhoods and each one boasts culinary specialties, be it Italian, Mexican, Asian, Japanese, steakhouse, seafood, and desserts. Pizza is a culinary favorite and has a special place in the heart of Chicago. It has reached a higher level of cuisine with pizza legends like Giordano’s Pizza, Gino’s East, Lou Malnati’s and Pizzeria Uno, respected establishments visited by locals and tourists alike.
Located in northern Halstad, Alinea is the gastronomic hotspot of the moment thanks to owner/chef Grant Achatz’s unique presentation and contemporary cuisine. His menu includes venison, caramel popcorn, trout roe, coconut, chocolate, apple, duck, pigeon, tuna and blackberry. They may seem like the simplest of meals, but everything on the menu is not only a culinary delight, but also a visual display of an artist’s work.
However, before Alinea, Charlie Trotter was the first established chef in Chicago and his restaurant, even today, continues to thrive on his work. It has been baffled as one of the best restaurants not only in the entire city but in the entire United States. His extensive menu includes Nantucket Bay Tempura Scallops with Togarashi and Fuyu Persimmon, Arkansas Rabbit Tenderloin with Curried Tortellini and Wilted Mustard Greens, and Honey Crisp Apples with Yogurt and Caramelized White Chocolate.
If you’re looking to try Italian cuisine, Spiaggia is one of the best places to dine in Chicago. It offers a romantic view of the Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan. The selection of wines is also top notch, as well as their cheeses. But for those looking for stronger cuisine, reminiscent of old Chicago, try the various steakhouses that have become staples in the Windy City. Establishments like Morton’s, Gene and Georgetti, Gibson’s Steakhouse and Chicago Chop House, which offer ribeyes, sirloins and other cuts of meat, are almost always packed.
Sweet tooths should also indulge in some of Chicago’s best bakeries and coffee shops, including Lutz Café, Margie’s Candies, Julius Meinl, Sweet Mandy B’s and Café Jumping Bean.
Even if you’re not planning a vacation any time soon but are longing for some of the best restaurants in the area, fly into Chicago for a day or two. It’s now entirely possible with several of Chicago’s cheap flights to and from the Windy City any time of year. An enjoyable gastronomic journey without the pressures of spending too much on transportation will make the experience more exciting for the palate.
A meal in Chicago is definitely worth the trip, and shouldn’t be underestimated as a major tourist “attraction.” The food tells the story of the place as much as the architecture or the visual arts, so when you go to Chicago, don’t forget to try its best restaurants. Not only are you biting into a culinary delight, but you’re also biting into a part of how Chicago evolved.