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30. Apple tarte | Brasserie Ruhlmann
Even if you didn’t know chef Christian Delouvrier was heading up Chicago’s newest big-deal brasserie, you’d have a hunch there were some Frenchies in the kitchen once you tasted the duck rillettes or the steak frites. But it’s pastry chef Ann Giles’s grand finale of endlessly flaky, puffy pastry crust topped with thinly sliced apples sporting caramelized edges that shows you’re not just dealing with any old French folks, but a couple who really know their stuff. 500 W Superior St (312-494-1900). $9.
31. Beer-braised rabbit | Bluebird
The plan at Bluebird was for a great beer-and-wine bar, with some food thrown in to sustain the drinking. But what the owners didn’t realize is dishes such as these irresistible morsels of hearty rabbit, braised in Ambrio Ale and served over pasta, would immediately put the drinks in the backseat. 1749 N Damen Ave (773-486-2473). $14.
32. Toum (garlic spread) | Caravan
A year ago we wouldn’t have dreamed of sending you into Under 55, a subterranean food court in the Loop. Then again, a year ago this food court didn’t have Caravan or its silky, piquant toum. 55 E Monroe St. Free with sandwich order.
33. Wisconsin Electric butter cookie | La Madia
Don’t ask about the name; the story isn’t nearly as exciting as it should be, and it’d be a shame for anything about these crumbly, two-bite, pine nut–studded affairs to disappoint you. 59 W Grand Ave (312-329-0400). $4 for five cookies.
34. Alpha Kong | Three Floyds
You can have your dessert. We’ll take this intense sextuplet. For you non–beer geeks, that means the Indiana boys make a knockout Belgian-style beer, with a whopping 16 percent alcohol and some hefty hits of banana, brown sugar and caramel. This stuff sees your crème brûlée and raises it one helluva hangover. Available at liquor stores and bars citywide for about $15.99 a 22oz bottle.
35. Tasmanian salmon | BOKA
This year Giuseppe Tentori left the kitchen at Trotter’s and transformed BOKA—already a perfectly good restaurant—into something extraordinary. He exhibits a European sensibility in most of his dishes, but occasionally, like with this buttery rendition of salmon paired with tender, green tea–infused soba noodles, he goes East Asian. Which makes us wonder if there’s anything the man can’t do. 1729 N Halsted St (312-337-6070). $27. Seasonal.
36. Mujver | Nazarlik
Lahmacun, the pizzalike dish where thin pita is topped with tomatoes and beef, seems to get all the attention at this Lebanese joint. But to us it’s the mujver, a golden, ethereal pan-fried zucchini patty, that puts this place on the map. 1650 W Belmont Ave (773-327-5800). $4.25.
37. Jungle Cacao | Butterfly Social Club
According to Butterfly owner Mark Klemen, this “elixir”—a sweet, slushy, nonalcoholic mixture that includes coconut, coconut milk, cacao beans and goji berries—imparts energy and aphrodisiacal benefits. But the only side effect we felt was a craving for more. 722 W Grand Ave (312-666-1695). $6.
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! ??!!!
