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95. Guinea hen roulade | Café 103
All the snobbery we had about how fantastic contemporary food couldn’t possibly exist in Beverly evaporated after one bite of this dish. Chef Thomas Eckert brilliantly matched a perfect guinea hen roulade with smoky lardons, sweetish kohlrabi puree, meaty morels and a peppery watercress sauce. It was good enough to keep us coming back to Beverly monthly to check up on his creations. 1909 W 103rd St (773-238-5115). $24. Seasonal.
96. Ikamaru squid | Katsu
Our favorite cooked dish at this stellar sushi spot is about as simple as it sounds, with no adornment other than being served with freshly grated ginger (which you should splash with a bit of soy and use as a dipping sauce). But Katsu’s keen eye for fresh seafood ensures this is the best squid you’ll ever eat. 2651 W Peterson Ave (773-784-3383). $9.
97. Chicken “Yassa” | Yassa
Ever wonder how certain cooks can make grilled chicken so damn juicy? At this Senegalese standout, they marinate the bird in mustard powder, vinegar and lemon juice, giving it a tart bath that just about shocks the moisture into somehow staying within. Now you know. 716 E 79th St (773-488-5599). $10.
98. Damn Good Cookies | Chocolate Gourmet
Mary Winslow has serious cojones to call her line of cookies Damn Good, but try as we might, we can’t prove her wrong. The Chubby Wubby Chocolate is a cakey, gooey, chocolate-lover’s dream; the Overprotective Pecan has lacy edges and nutty richness; Rockabye Raspberry is one of the best thumbprint shortbreads we’ve had; and the apricot-filled rugalach can compete with any of the city’s Jewish bakeries. 5247 N Clark St (chocolategourmet.com). $26 for a 20-piece assortment.
99. Nonna Zanella’s gnocchi | 312 Chicago
This dish proves, unequivocably, that Dean Zanella is a decent guy. Because, honestly, if we had cooked these pillowy gnocchi topped with braised lamb, we would have taken all the credit. And Grandma would just have to get over it. Hotel Allegro, 136 N LaSalle St (312-696-2420). $17.
100. Chiles en nogada | Mundial–Cocina Mestiza
Every family has a holiday tradition. At this husband-and-wife–run Mexican restaurant in Pilsen, the Garcias serve these stuffed peppers from Christmas until spring. The roasted poblanos are filled with ground beef and pork sautéed with onions, tomatoes, plantains, apples, pears, peaches, almonds, raisins, clove and cumin. The peppers are dipped in egg wash and pan-fried, then topped with pecan-cream sauce, queso fresco and pomegranate seeds. Yeah, that trumps our family tradition of dry date bread. 1640 W 18th St (312-491-9908). $16. Seasonal.
 | Did we miss your favorite dish?: Visit our feedback page and tell us the top five things you ate this year. We’ll post our favorite reader suggestions on our website, along with the Eat Out staff’s take on those dishes. Plus, the chosen few will score a copy of our Eating & Drinking 2008 guide. |
Winston
Tue, Apr 15, at 03:21pm
Where is Kuma's? I learned about them from you . And how about Scooter's Frozen Custard??? Also from you! ??!!!
