Chicago Weekend Fun!

If Chicago is known for anything at all, it is for good food. (and a lot of it) We have a bit of a revolving door with restaurants though. Most only last about 5 years and then perish to newer trends and styles of food. The ones that do survive either have an iconic brand, unique offerings or an ability to morph their menu with the changing times. These new restaurants are opening or have recently opened in and around Chicago. I have not had dinner at any of them yet, but I will add them to my list of places to try if I can get out of work at a decent hour in the next few months. They also may be the new hot places to book company Christmas Parties and Holiday gatherings in Chicago. Here is a taste of what’s new in places to eat in the city.

1. Brasserie Ruhlmann Steakhouse - Located in River North neighborhood @  500 West Superior Street, at Kingsbury Street (312-494-1900). This is the first restaurant in Chicago from four-star chef Christian Delouvrier (Lespinasse, Alain Ducasse). With a 10,000 sq ft space, seats for 500, and the city’s largest outdoor patio and bar, this should be a hot spot for many. The interior is an art deco design with alabaster chandeliers, hand-laid mosaic floors, and red velvet covered banquettes that set the stage for fine french cuisine. Delouvrier blends classic and contemporary French style, giving meat center stage. The 26-ounce Châteaubriand fillet for two, Niman Ranch pork chops, and roast organic chicken are recommended. The raw bar mimics a Parisian fish market, although Chicago is not known for Fish with it’s distance from the coasts, and it’s debatable how long any fish specialty will last in this town. We like our beef thank you.

2. Maya Del Sol - In Oak Park, IL on Oak Park Avenue near South Blvd and the Green Line El Stop. This new revamp of the old Vivaldi space is distinctive in its cuisine and in it’s offering in Oak Park. The decor is modern, upscale and yuppie with it’s pub style tables and small amber glowing lamps. The bar is central to the restaurant and a place to go just for drinks to meet someone. The dining room on both sides of the bar offers a more intimate setting. The food is a mix of New Latin style offerings like ceviche, tostadas, enchiladas. Think Rick Bayless style Mexican food.  It has only been open a week, and it has gotten several 4 star ratings on Yelp. Check it out for some suburban eats. 144 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park Telephone: (708) 358-9800

3. Paramount Room Pub - River West Neighborhood; Located at 415 North Milwaukee Avenue and Kinzie Street; Phone: 312-829-6300 or paramountroom.com. Beer is always a popular draw for sports game nights, Friday Nights and college grads. The Paramount Room has evolved the Bar Pub Restaurant genre to a higher level. A gastro-pub level. That may sound like a type of indigestion, but it means high quality niche food with your microbrews. Stephen Dunne brings Mussels, Grilled Organic Chicken and Seared Kobe Steak to a well rounded menu.  The beer is up to par too, with 12 beers on tap and 20 more in bottles or cans this has enough variety to come back again and again. The 2 levels and swanky style offer even more than elegant pub dining with a pool table and plasma TV’s to keep up on those sports scores. (some things never change)

Got a new restaurant you want us to mention? Email us at chicago weekend fun 1 at yahoo dot com or post a comment about your place below. Happy Eating!