Discover the latest spots to arrive on the Chicago dining scene.
Mama Delia in Wicker Park
1. Mama Delia embraces a contemporary take on Spanish cuisine while acting as a sherry bar and an ultramarino, showcasing chef Marcos Campos’ top ingredients from Spanish purveyors and his passion for new flavors and techniques from Chicago and abroad. Campos dishes out his own take on traditional dishes such as sofrito, made nontraditional by adding oysters to the mix of onions, peppers and garlic. The dessert and cocktail menus have unexpected twists too. Tarta de Santiago, a Galician almond flour cake, is reinvented with a red wine glaze and served with apple sorbet. “I always hint back to nostalgia in my desserts to create something people can relate to,” executive pastry chef Shannah Primiano says. “Then I like to throw in something people wouldn’t expect, so they can view a classic dessert or flavor with a whole new vision.” 1721 W. Division St.
2. New American restaurant Mundano in Lincoln Park blends a variety of flavors and cooking techniques to create a unique Chicago meal. Signature entrees include pork terrine with rhubarb mostarda and “Chicago Polish”-style onions; and dan dan noodles with lamb chorizo, chile morita and broccoli rabe. With a 70-seat patio, the eatery is the ideal spot for an outdoor, family-friendly weekend lunch experience. “We want Mundano to be that go-to spot that comes to mind as the perfect place to bring your family and friends—for either a special occasion or a comfortable restaurant experience for any day of the week,” co-owner Ash Abu-Taleb says. For those with an inkling to dine in the park, Mundano offers picnic kits and grill kits via Tock, which come with a variety of cheeses, a choice of ribs and salty-sweet cookies. 1935 N. Lincoln Park W.
3. With a name short for pizza, beer and jukebox, West Loop spot PB&J, naturally, serves gourmet pizzas, cold beer on tap and craft cocktails in a vibrant environment. Its playful, innovative flavors bring fresh takes on casual food staples: The poutine pizza is made with homemade fries, cheese curds and mushroom duck gravy, while the Chicago Heat Wave has spicy pepperoni, soppressata and Calabrian chili. Entertainment here comes in the form of a pool table set under neon lights, large screens showing the favorite game du jour and a state-of-the-art TouchTunes jukebox playing everything from classics to hip-hop. 205 N. Peoria St.
Photography by: Barry Brecheisen
