Chicago, my kind of food and wine town
Here are the places I wined and dined this year.
Happy December, friends!
This newsletter is weeks delayed for several reasons, and for that I apologize. It’s always a mad dash to the finish every 12th month of the year, but I want to hold myself accountable for sharing my wine experiences over the year.
Since yesterday marked 30 days until my birthday, it was only right for me to complete this newsletter. And you can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be in your inbox a few more times before the 31st!
Now that’s out the way, on to the realness. Wine will always have main character energy in my book, but there’s something special about food and wine in perfect harmony. This year, I had a lot of incredible dining experiences, and I wanted to take a beat to reflect on how they’ve each expanded my palate.
NOTE: This list represents just a few of the places I ate and drank at THIS YEAR, and is in no way a complete rundown of where one should dine while in Chicago.
So without delay and in no particular order, here are the restaurants and bars I enjoyed in 2024.
RESTAURANTS
John’s Food + Wine (Lincoln Park)
Pro-tip: Always sit at the end of the bar to get an optimal view of the entire restaurant. This experience was not only delicious but very energetic. I arrived for my reservation at 6:30 PM and for the next hour, it was magnificent seeing so many people come in and out–enjoying small bites and wine or full-course meals. Something else to note, the sommelier flips the wine list every week and guests will try something new regularly.
My favorite dish: Market Salad. This was a seasonal dish, but if you’re a lover of deliciously ripe tomatoes, crunchy walnuts
My favorite glass: Cirelli “Orange” Trebbiano
Segnatore (Humboldt Park)
Remember how I said I love how food and wine create harmony? My collaboration with Segnatore this summer allowed me to choose the wines for their ‘Aperitvo Hour’ in June, July, and August.
My favorite dishes: Squash Blossom and Bometta
My favorite glass: 2023 De Forville Chardonnay
Indienne (Gold Coast)
This was BY FAR my best dining experience of 2024. From the moment I walked into the restaurant, I was greeted by the warmth of the staff and given a window seat that made my dining experience all the more delightful. A huge shout-out to head sommelier Tia Polite for designing a wine list that paired perfectly with my pescetarian-focused tasting menu.
My favorite dishes – Dahi (Bhall), a lentil donut with tamarind, mint, and raspberry;. This delightful delicacy is my new love language. The Crab (Bisi Bele Bath), which was the supplemental dish on the menu, is a spicy rice dish layered with warm spices.
My favorite glasses – La Dentelle ‘Rose Demi Sec’ Gamay/Poulsard from Bugey, France NV; and 2020 Vinas Mora ‘Kaamen I’ Babic’ from Primosten, Croatia.
Atelier (Lincoln Square)
The concept of this restaurant is an ode to Midwestern cuisine, and my GOODNESS do we have some great food in this region!? From start to finish, I enjoyed the unique spin on dishes like cassoulet, porridge, and rutabaga salad. And sitting right next to the kitchen is always a treat.
My favorite dish: Cheese Curds with Romesco Sauce. Fried cheese is always a pleasant experience, but fried cheese with a bomb A$$ red sauce?!? Sign me up again and again!
My favorite glass: Wyncroft 2020 ‘Marland’ Rose of Cabernet Franc. Cabernet Franc forever and always, the end.
ETC. (South Loop)
My favorite dish: Not Your Grandma’s Banana Puddin’. For clarity, I DO NOT LIKE BANANA PUDDING. It has always been a texture and flavor thing for me, but this dessert made me a believer. The layers of smoked banana mousse and salted caramel have a homemade snickerdoodle-like cookie on the top and bottom of the serving dish. I…I’m still at a loss for words at how beautiful this dessert is.
My favorite cocktail: Who The F*ck is Tommy?! This Mezcal-based cocktail had me curious about who Tommy was, and while I still don’t know – this is a delightful spin on a spicy margarita.
BARS
Bar Parisette (Logan Square)
The $15 burger and fries for happy hour is one of the BEST I’ve had in the city. On top of that, the wines by the glass are exquisite, and I highly recommend starting with Domaine Labbé Jacquère and then getting a martini with Cornichon gin.
Adorn (River North)
My dear friend
Wax Vinyl and Ramen Shop (Bucktown)
My first time visiting Wax was for an event hosted by my wine homie Ken Pettus in August. And because of that amazing experience, I wrote about the husband and wife owned-establishment for the Chicago Reader. If you’re a fan of listening to music on vinyl and yummy ramen, make your way to Wax soon!
Easy Does It (Logan Square)
Y’all know I STAN Easy Does It, and I was so grateful to have the launch party for Wine Convo Generator there in March. Whether you pull up for R&B Night or happy hour, any glass of wine you choose will be good.
Volo Restaurant Wine Bar (Roscoe Village)
Another great wine happy hour! The cabanas toward the back of the restaurant are so darling, and there are heaters to help elevate the experience during the fall and winter months. And with prices ranging from $1 to $8, you’ll leave full and happy.
Revolver (Wicker Park)
An oldie but goodie, Revolver has one of my favorite happy hours in the city. The ambiance is chic and moody, with $7 cocktails to match! They’ve got a short list of rotating snacks, but if you’re looking for a cute spot to hit before the dinner reservation, this is it.
WINE NEWS
I always love writing about subjects who put on for their city and make good tequila.
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This hybrid grape variety from the Finger Lakes might be the next biggest thing in white wine.
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Very excited to slide to this pop-up wine-art bar in Ukranian Village!
Another wine gift guide for the oenophiles in your life - cheers!
Definitely check out the Paloma Milk Punch at R+D (in the Fishtown neighborhood) if you're ever in Philly!