Aja

Put away the sorbet! Josh Linton, executive chef at Aja, the Asian restaurant on the ground level of River North’s Dana Hotel and Spa, brings an exciting alternative to the traditional palate refresher. Linton’s lime or lemongrass-flavored granitas can be eaten as a delightful dessert. The lime works especially well with ginger-snap cookies. But we think his icy concoctions are best enjoyed before dinner, as a flavorful prelude to signature dishes such as crispy chili rock shrimp, sesame chicken or short ribs with mashed potatoes. Linton makes a yuzu granita to accompany Aja’s daily oyster selection. To make the chilly treats, which Linton serves in chilled bowls, he blends shaved ice and his own handmade syrup.

660 North State
(312)202-6050

Best of Chicago 2009

Instituto Cervantes

The Prince and Princess of Spain stopped by Chicago last month to officially inaugurate the new Chicago quarters of Instituto Cervantes, a cultural organization owned by the Spanish government with the explicit mission of furthering the growth of Spanish speaking and the cultural activities of those who do so, not only from Spain, but from Latin America as well. The beautiful new quarters offer a library, classrooms, an art gallery with rotating exhibitions of Hispanic artists, and an auditorium that hosts a range of performances, panels and symposiums, not to mention royal appearances. With nearly fifty million Spanish speakers now in the United States—more than Spain and second only to Mexico—it might just be time for all of us to start soaking up some of that culture.

31 West Ohio
(312)335-1996
chicago.cervantes.es

Best of Chicago 2009

Ben Pao Chinese Restaurant

River North’s Ben Pao Chinese Restaurant honors each of China’s four culinary regions this year. “Check, Please!” host and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh will kick off the celebration Beijing, when she pairs hot pot dinners with wines on November 12. “Everybody literally cooks their own food, tabletop,” says managing partner Ed Culleeney. The tasting tour, scheduled to run through December 28, will feature such specialties as shredded star anise-braised pork. “We cook it down with star anise, cloves and cassia bark, a cinnamon-like ingredient,” Culleeney says. “Then we serve it with lotus buns, pineapple hoisin sauce and pickled vegetables. You can make a sandwich.” 

52 West Illinois
(312)222-1888
benpao.com

Best of Chicago 2009

Club Lago

In March, the boiler in the building next door to Club Lago Restaurant exploded, and their chimney collapsed onto the roof and into the kitchen of the beloved red-sauce joint. The Nardini brothers, Guido and GianCarlo, refused to go down like that, and after six months of renovations they came back as old school as ever. Though they made one nod to modernity and finally installed a beer tap to serve up sudsy pints of Old Style and Bell’s. Our favorite byproduct of the fiasco, however, was the sweet Santa-length beard that Guido grew during the closing.

331 West Superior
(312)951-2849
clublago.com

Best of Chicago 2009

A Mano Italian Trattoria

When A Mano Italian Trattoria reopened last winter after the River North eatery suffered water damage, pastry chef Tom Laurell wanted to mark the occasion with an unusual sweet. “I wanted to create a treat that would reflect the flavors of our Italian cuisine,” Laurell says. He steeped basil leaves in a sugar solution at 300 degrees. Then, he put small pieces of fresh basil and prosciutto in candy molds, and poured the hot sugar solution into the molds. He added sticks, let the candies cool and presto: a lollipop that could lick any cannoli, gelato or tiramisu in a dessert competition.

335 North Dearborn
(312)629-3500
amanochicago.com

Best of Chicago 2009

India House

There are more authentic spots on Devon, harder-core cabbie joints in the middle of the city, but none are more satisfying, balanced and proffering of such great service as this old stalwart.

59 West Grand
(312)645-9500
indiahousechicago.com

Audience choice:
Hema’s Kitchen
2439 West Devon
(773)338-1627
hemaskitchen.com

Best of Chicago 2009

The free tater tot buffet with toppings at Mahoney’s

Everyone loves tots, especially tots covered in cheese. Irish-themed sports bar Mahoney’s understands the comfort those crusty, bite-sized potatoes generate, so every Tuesday night they offer a free tot bar. A meal in itself, coat those tots with melted cheese, bacon bits, ranch dressing and chopped tomatoes and onions. There isn’t a drink minimum to get the buffet, but it’s only courteous to order a beverage or four to wash the goodness down with. There’s also not a limit on how many plates of tots you can order, but having more than seconds might make you a glutton for punishment.

551 North Ogden
(312)733-2121
rushanddivision.com/Mahoneyssite/Mahoneys-website-09/site/index.shtml

Best of Chicago 2009

Foodlife

Featuring one of the broadest selections around and the best green goddess dressing we’ve ever tasted, we don’t go anywhere else.

835 N. Michigan
(312)335-3663

Audience choice
Whole Foods
Multiple locations

Best of Chicago 2008