THE AVIARY The ramen with housemade noodles here might be the closest we can get to Next: Kyoto. 955 W Fulton Mkt (312-226-0868).
file under: japanophilia
BAVETTE’S Upstairs is grand, downstairs is intimate, and both levels make excellent old-fashioneds. 218 W Kinzie St (312-624-8154).
file under: let them eat steak
FATPOUR The name refers to the 22-ounce draft pours—and the selection of 50 draft beers. 2005 W Division St (773-698-8940).
file under: badger bar, beer geeks
JELLYFISH Harold Jurado’s new spot is open late and serves a shochu-yogurt cocktail called the More Cow Bell. 1009 N Rush St (312-660-3111).
file under: jokes that never get old, sushi, swank spots
MEZCALINA We assume you can guess which spirit this Oaxacan restaurant specializes in. 333 E Benton Pl, suite 100 (312-240-5000).
file under: smoke on the water
THE RESERVOIR Craft beer and gastropubby food, makin’ their way to Uptown. 844 W Montrose Ave (773-275-4000).
file under: neighborhoodie, uptown update
ROCK BOTTOM BREWERY The brewpub chain revamped its roofdeck—check it out before we all freeze. 1 W Grand Ave (312-755-9339).
file under: beer geeks, the great outdoors
TRENCHERMEN Those clever cocktails? Now you can order snacks (housemade jerky) along with them. 2039 W North Ave (773-661-1540).
file under: cocktailians, it gets better