With just a dozen seats and five main courses, this shoebox of a restaurant seems to traffic in smallness. But slurp rice noodles in a Thai chili-scented broth, or take a bite of the complex curries or juicy bulgogi in one of the namesake bento boxes, and you’ll be hit by big Asian flavors, fresh ingredients (such as Jidori chicken) and the sense that the chef—Rick Spiros—is cooking with some real gusto. Tip: The menu changes daily, and when Spiros says barbecue-pork steamed buns, you better run.
Long a dining destination, Wicker Park and Bucktown have a mix of old-school classics and a steady stream of newcomers keeping things fresh. Whether you're looking for a nouveau Mexican diner, a Greek feast or a vegetarian menu that appeals to more than just vegetarians, here's where to go.
RECOMMENDED: Wicker Park and Bucktown guide