G. Garvin's Favorite Chicago Restaurants

G. Garvin lists the best places to eat in the Windy City.

Best Burger

Dusek's Board & Beer
1227 W. 18th St.
Chicago, IL 60608
312-526-3851

What I love about the burgers here is the creative use of multiple ingredients that make for a great finished product. This burger is the real deal.

Image via: Dusek's on Facebook

Best Pizza

Lou Malnati's
Multiple locations

Pizza is pizza is pizza is pizza, but this pizza's buttery crust makes it unique in its own right. For typical deep-dish pizza, this is more than typical.

Image via: Lou Malnati's on Instagram

Best Late-Night Spot

theWit Hotel — ROOF on theWit
201 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60601
312-467-0200

This is a great scene after the scene; there is no other place to be for a rooftop view, and there's nothing better than this place for a late-night shindig.

Image via: ROOF on theWit on Facebook

Best Fine Dining

Blackbird Restaurant
619 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60661
312-715-0708

Blackbird is one of the spots that is truly about the food and the experience. From my point of view, this is the epitome of what fine dining should be.

Image vai: Blackbird

Best Family-Friendly Spot

Honey Butter Fried Chicken
3361 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
773-478-4000

I like this restaurant particularly because the menu is creative and serious. It creates a fun, exciting atmosphere for the whole family. When it comes to making fried chicken, this place is doing it the way it should be done.

Image Via: Honey Butter Fried Chicken

Best Date Spot

Japonais by Morimoto
600 West Chicago Ave.

Chicago, IL 60654
312-822-9600

I'm a guy who likes for a date to be fun but not too serious. The food is really good, but, wow, what a scene!

Image Via: Japonais

Best Tasting Menu

Tru Chicago
676 N. St. Clair St.

Chicago, IL 60611

312-202-0001

This restaurant showcases food in such a creative way; it's worth the splurge. Choose the seven-course Experience Menu with the wine pairings.

Image Via: Tru Restaurant

Best New Restaurant

The Purple Pig
500 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-464-1744

New restaurants pop up all the time, but certain restaurants have a way of standing out. My visit to The Purple Pig left an impression unlike any recent restaurant visit. A must-try is the crispy pig ear salad with kale.

Image Via: esimpraim on Flickr

Best Brunch

Public House
400 N. State St.
Chicago, IL 60654
312-265-1240

Public House is a great neighborhood gem with great menu choices, fresh ingredients and housemade French doughnuts.

Image Via: Public House on Facebook

Best Cocktails/Bar Scene

The Aviary
955 West Fulton Market
Chicago, IL 60607
312-226-0868

Talk about innovative! This place gives as much attention to cocktails as a Michelin-rated restaurant gives to food. Presentation is everything, as cocktails are the focus served with small bites.

Image Via: The Aviary on Facebook

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