May 28, 2008
Looking for a Restaurant in Wicker Park or Nearby?
Whether you’re in the mood for BYOB or upscale cocktails, Wicker Park and its surrounding neighborhoods are full of choices for luscious libations and creative cuisine in beautifully designed spaces.
NXXT
REGIONAL AMERICAN
2700 W Chicago Av
773-489-NXXT (6998)
nxxtchicago.com
Opened in February 2008, this late-night restaurant serves refined comfort food in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood. The restaurant was designed by Leonardo Bonanni, a former researcher at the prestigious Counter Intelligence Group (MIT’s kitchen of the future). With its white countertops and friendly service it recalls a classic diner with a clean, modern sensibility. Bonanni also designed three different chairs for the restaurant, which were custom built locally.
NXXT’s design was inspired by the historic building in which it’s located, and fits well into this rapidly evolving neighborhood. The swooping birch ceiling beams take their cues from the turn-of-the-century structure’s beautiful curved facade.
As the night progresses, the restaurant relaxes into an intimate lounge. The bar features an extensive selection of hard alcohol, as well as an impressive wine list and domestic craft beers.
Takashi
CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN
1952 N Damen Ave
773-772-6170
takashichicago.com
After having won the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Midwest, Takashi Yagihashi set his sights on opening a signature restaurant in Chicago. With his designer, he began the long search for the perfect location. The duo found a former residential space in
a now commercial section of Bucktown and went
about creating a fine-dining restaurant with a warm neighborhood feel.
The cuisine—a refined fusion of American classics with Japanese and European influences—is echoed in the restaurant’s design. The minimal achromatic palette allows the rich texture of exposed brick, cherry wood, and fabric-covered panels to define the space. The tranquil yet inviting effect is accented with hand-painted linen wallpaper hung to look like a panoramic painting.
BYOB
Schwa
PROGRESSIVE AMERICAN
1466 N. Ashland Ave
773-252-1466
schwarestaurant.com
Recently reopened, Schwa is a destination for avant-garde cuisine. Renowned chef Michael Carlson offers two tasting menus of dishes made from local and seasonal ingredients. Schwa suggests pairing spirits that
are light, bright, and food-friendly with your high-concept meal.
Bite Cafe
AMERICAN CONTEMPORARY
1039 N Western Ave
773-395-2483
emptybottle.com
The culinary component of the lively music venue the Empty Bottle, Bite Cafe offers vegetarian-friendly American classics. Daily specials supplement the small but varied menu of pastas, salads, and sandwiches.
Irazu
COSTA RICAN
1865 N Milwaukee Ave
773-252-5687
irazuchicago.com
Decorated with a tropical mural, Irazu lives up to the Costa Rican credo of pura vida, or pure life. Specialties include chicken casado with caramelized onions, gallo pinto, cabbage salad, sweet plantains, and oatmeal milk shakes.
Coast Sushi Bar
JAPANESE
2045 N DAmen Ave
773-235-5775
coastsushibar.com
Coast Sushi Bar offers creative interpretations of traditional sushi with welcome additions such as mint, jalapeño, and fresh mango. The cherry-blossom motif that adorns the walls complements the fabric-covered banquettes.
MORE WICKER PARK AND NEARBY RESTAURANTS
Adobo Grill
MEXICAN
2005 W Division St
773-252-9990
adobogrill.com/wickerpark
Upscale Mexican in an upbeat atmosphere. The guacamole is made fresh at your table in a traditional molcajete.
Angels & Mariachis
TACO BAR
1721 W Division St
773-227-7772
angelschicago.com
Full-blown Mexican kitsch is new on the scene in a dining room complete with lucha libre and Day of the Dead décor.
Between Boutique Café and Lounge
GLOBAL
1324 N Milwaukee Ave
773-292-0585
betweenchicago.com
Bold, unusual flavor combinations and sharing plates take center stage at this loungy restaurant.
Blu Coral
JAPANESE/SUSHI
1265 N Milwaukee Ave
773-252-2020
blucoralchicago.com
Hip, contemporary sushi lounge with elegant signature maki rolls.
Bob San
JAPANESE
1805 W Division St
773-235-8888
bob-san.com
Authentic Japanese cuisine in a hip upscale environment with a cool warehouse feel.
Café Laguardia
CUBAN
2111 W Armitage Ave
773-862-5996
cafelaguardia.com
Originally opened in Cuba in 1950. Don’t miss the house specialty, paella valencia.
Café Wicked Desserts
DESSERT CAFE
2151 W Armitage Ave
773-227-8227
cafewicked.com
The newest dine-in spot for pampering your sweet tooth.
Chaise Lounge
AMERICAN
Contemporary
1840 W North Ave
773-342-1840
chaiseloungechicago.com
Upscale eatery and bar reminiscent of Miami Beach with a rooftop deck and patio.
Club Lucky
ITALIAN
1824 W Wabansia Ave
773-227-2300
clubluckychicago.com
An upbeat 1940s-style supper club and cocktail lounge that serves handmade pastas and delicious signature martinis.
Enoteca Roma
ITALIAN
2144-46 W Division St
773-342-1011
enotecaroma.com
Pair the homemade pasta with wine from the extensive bottle menu.
Feast Restaurant & Bar
AMERICAN
1616 N Damen Ave
773-772-7100
feastrestaurant.com
A funky Wicker Park favorite with bohemian trimmings.
Flo
SOUTHWESTERN
1434 W Chicago Ave
312-243-0477
eatatflo.com
Urban cooking with a Latin twist based on the flavors and ingredients of Santa Fe.
Francesca’s Forno
ITALIAN
1576 N Milwaukee Ave
773-770-0184
miafrancesca.com
Northern Italian small-plates eatery is great for sharing small plates.
Le Bouchon
FRENCH
1958 N Damen Ave
773-862-6600
lebouchonofchicago.com
This cozy spot keeps the regulars coming back for simple French classics.
Lula
NEW AMERICAN
2537 N Kedzie Blvd
773-489-9554
lulacafe.com
Delicious dishes made from almost all local ingredients.
Mado
ITALIAN/MEDITERRANEAN
1647 N Milwaukee Ave
773-342-2340
madorestaurantchicago.com
New rustic trattoria focused on full flavors from local, seasonal ingredients.
Marrakech Cuisine
MOROCCAN
1413 N Ashland Ave
773-227-6451
marrakechcuisine.com
A taste of North Africa with the rich spices of Morocco.
Milk & Honey
AMERICAN
1920 W Division St
773-395-9434
milkandhoneycafe.com
An innovative take on comfort food for breakfast and lunch.
Mirai Sushi
JAPANESE
2020 W Division St
773-862-8500
Sip cocktails, eat sushi, and unwind in the futuristic upstairs lounge.
Rodan
SOUTH AMERICAN/ASIAN FUSION
1530 N Milwaukee Ave
773-276-7036
rodan.ws
Gallery, lounge, and restaurant named for the 1950s Japanese sci-fi classic “Rodan! The Flying Monster.”
Salud Tequila Lounge
CONTEMPORARY MEXICAN
1471 N Milwaukee Ave
773-235-5577
saludlounge.com
Upscale favorite dishes and more than 80 varieties of 100 percent agave tequila.
Smoke Daddy
BARBEQUE
1804 W Division St
773-772-6656
thesmokedaddy.com
Delicious ribs and sweet-potato fries in a barlike atmosphere.
Veggie Bite
VEGAN
1300 N Milwaukee Ave
773-772-BITE (2483)
veggiebite.net
Quick service meat- and dairy-free treats like the “chili cheese dog” and “philly cheese steak.”
ZK Food
AMERICAN
1633 N Milwaukee Ave
773-278-9600
zkfoodchicago.com
Artful fresh dishes with vegetarian options such as generous salads and sandwiches.