FDCH December 2011 : Page 29
toni patisserie & cafÉ photo by laurie proffitt FEEL-GOOD FOOD Opposite: The dining room at The Grill on the Alley. Clockwise from top left: Goat cheese at Cafe Ba-Ba Reeba!; panna cotta at Toni Patisserie & Café; and tacos from Big Star Crowds are the norm on North Michigan Avenue, where the shopper-friendly restaurants are as busy as the stores. THE GRILL ON THE ALLEY (909 N. Michigan Ave., 312.255.9009) partners a sophisticated steakhouse ambience with impeccable service and eclectic menus. Expect prime steaks, chops and seafood at dinner, along with chicken pot pie and burgers. At PIERROT GOURMET (108 E. Superior St., 312.573.6749), the day begins with croissants and frittatas and ends with truffle glazed meatloaf and shepherd’s pie. The restaurant is run by the adjacent Peninsula Chicago hotel, so everything from the service to the cappuccino and the pastries is first-rate. Lincoln Park’s restaurants cater to the same savvy clientele as its retailers. Perpetually popular CAFE BA-BA REEBA! (2024 N. Halsted St., 773.935.5000) introduced Chicagoans to tapas in 1985. Pinxtos, the mini-plates concept native to northern Spain, were added a few years ago, followed by the option of single-size servings of paella. Casual, cozy and BYOB, DAWALI MEDITERRANEAN KITCHEN (1625 N. Halsted St., 312.944.5800) offers a good selection of Middle Eastern dishes, many of them vegetarian. Popular options like kabobs and hummus are featured, along with shawarma, salads and stews. Baklava accompanied by a cup of robust Arabic coffee is a great finish. Bucktown and Wicker Park are home to boutique shops and unique restaurants like BIG STAR (1531 N. Damen Ave., 773.235.4039) and LILLIE’S Q (1856 W. North Ave., 773.772.5500). The first focuses on tacos, artisanal beers and whiskey while the second pairs authentic Southern fare with equally authentic Southern barbecue. Musts include Big Star’s pork shoulder taco and Lillie Q’s three-meat sampler partnered with cornbread and collard greens. 29 FrontDesk / December 2011
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