The Chach
It’s an off-night in the off-season, so you venture inside the always-packed Chicago-style pizzeria that has the good fortune to be located just a bean’s throw from Millennium Park. Your waiter, a fit late fiftysomething fellow with a bushy gray mustache who looks like he just stepped off a firetruck, attacks the table with the brisk but friendly demeanor of a server who knows how to keep the folks happy and the tables turning. Your first time here, you ask him what he recommends and he tells you firmly the “Rudy’s Special.” You comply. At the end of your meal, when he’s checking back on you, you ask a small question about the place. And then it happens. Time stands still, or at least your waiter, who goes by “The Chach” does. He tells you everything you want to know and much more. You learn about his life. He learns about yours. He tells you the history of this restaurant, and the Rudy Malnati branch of the legendary pizza family, which owns this small chain. You realize that, for better or worse, you’ve never quite experienced a waiter like this. As you talk, he welcomes you into his “family” and tells you about the customers who always ask to sit in his section, some of whom come from far away to relive the experience. A half hour later, you’ve been “Chachified.”

Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta, 61 East Madison, (312)236-1777, pizanoschicago.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Fogo de Chao
Caipirinha is a Brazilian cocktail with fresh limes, sugar, ice and cachaça—a national spirit made from sugarcane. While the correct pronunciation may be challenging (Kai-Pee-Reen-Ya), its sweet and refreshing flavor is getting popular in Chicago. We’ve tried many caipirinhas in the city, but Fogo de Chao still does it better. In addition to the traditional recipe with limes, they also have variations with passion fruits, tangerines or strawberries. In any flavor, a strong tasty drink to go with savory meat cuts and an impressive salad bar—that’s the right way to experience the Brazilian way of life.

Fogo de Chao, 661 North LaSalle, (312)932-9330, fogodechao.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Brothers K
Alas, it has nothing to do with Dostoyevsky: “Brothers K” deciphers as “Brothers Kim,” and is named after its owners, not Dostoyevsky’s famous novel “The Brothers Karamazov.” Nevertheless, the place attracts the hip Russian population of Evanston and Chicago, who, after realizing the deceptiveness of the cafe’s name, still become regular customers for its excellent coffee, delicious pies, free unlimited wi-fi and artsy ambiance.

500 Main Street, Evanston, (847)328-7940, brotherskcoffee.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Shokolad
One of the Russian legends says that this cake was invented in Moscow in 1912, during the celebration of the first 100 years since Napoleon’s expulsion from Russia, and that its original shape was triangular, like the emperor’s famous cocked hat. Since then the cake has changed its shape and is made now either rectangular or round, but it has not lost its magic powers over Russian souls. The best place to try this sweet, multilayered pastry laced with tender cream is at cafe Shokolad in Ukrainian village.

Shokolad, 2524 West Chicago, (773)276-6402, shokoladpastryandcafe.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Chaihanna
“Chaihanna” is translated as “tea-house.” This restaurant makes good tea served in a colorful piala, a traditional Asian tea cup. But it is not tea that you should come here for: it is the Uzbek food. The dishes are spicy and flavorful, rich, high in calories, and come in generous portions. This is the go-to place if you are suffering from a hangover: according to the Russian (and former Soviet Union) tradition, nothing helps better than a bowl of hot laghman or shurpa (both are soups with meat).

Chaihanna, 19 East Dundee, Buffalo Grove, (847)215-5044, chaihanna.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Jibek Jolu
This is comfort food, an excellent choice for a cold winter Chicago day. Three main components of Kirghiz cuisine are milk, meat and baked goods, and most of the time all three are combined. Choose juicy and tender beef shashlik (similar to kebabs) or hearty manty (steamed dumplings), add a helping of hot kesme (a type of soup with beef and veggies), and you can easily imagine that you are thousands of miles away from the metropolis, in the middle of vast Kyrgyzstan, and are about to climb its highest mountain Jengish Chokusu (if you manage to eat all you have ordered, you just may have enough energy to do so).

Jibek Jolu, 5047 North Lincoln, (773)878-8494, fjibekjolu.us

Best of Chicago 2012

Revolution Brewing
Logan Square’s Revolution Brewing isn’t simply one of Chicago’s growing number of breweries, it’s a modern beer hall. The bar’s multiple levels have spacious seating, whisky-barrel-paneled walls and ornamental ceiling tiles. Their menu has some standout items including the Workingman burger and the Tempeh Reuben (vegan). But it’s their craft brews that are the main attraction. Their seasonal specialty brews are a must, like the Rosa Hibiscus Ale (flowery and sweet) or Cross of Gold (mild hoppy flavor). It’s normally a packed house, but don’t fret, sit at the bar and try one of their draughts while waiting.

Revolution Brewing, 2323 North Milwaukee, (773)227-2739, revbrew.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Arya Bhavan
When traveling down Devon, drop into Arya Bhavan. The buffet, which spans an entire wall, is served fresh daily. Begin by grabbing a plate and layer it with a bed of rice. Then add Chana Masala (spicy chickpeas), Aloo Gobi (potatoes and cauliflower), Bhendi Masala (fans of okra try this), and top it off with a warm Samosa. Most items are vegan so ask if you have dietary restrictions. Leave room for seconds (and thirds), making sure to try a bit of everything. If you can’t, you’ll have to stop by again. Your stomach will thank you.

Arya Bhavan, 2508 West Devon, (773)274-5800, aryabhavanchicago.com

Best of Chicago 2012

Amitabul
There isn’t much competition for Amitabul, the only all-vegan Korean restaurant in Chicago, which has endured for more than fifteen years, eventually relocating to Norwood Park on North Milwaukee Avenue after initially opening up in Lakeview. By drawing from traditional dishes, mixing noodles, nuts, fresh vegetables and spices, Amitabul does not use the wheat-meat substitutes usually found in vegan dishes. And if you’re under the weather, order up Dr. K’s Cure All soup to knock out any cold.

Amitabul, 6207 North Milwaukee, (773)774-0276, amitabulvegan.com

Best of Chicago 2012

El Faro
El Faro, Spanish for “the lighthouse,” is a beacon for South side vegetarians. Their menu offers many veggie options including flavored Tacos de Soya or Nopalitos (cactus) tacos. Their specialty dish, which even vegans can enjoy, is Tofu a la Mexicana: a plate of beans, rice, and scrambled tofu and hot peppers. Their hot sauce and spicy carrots complement any dish. And try one of their fresh fruit juices (like their Super Fruitas). When you see how large their portions are, you’ll walk out feeling like you can’t eat for the rest of the day.

El Faro, 3936 West 31st,  (773)277-1155, elfarorestaurant.com

Best of Chicago 2012