Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
59 W. Hubbard St. (between Dearborn and Clark sts.).
&
312/595-0800.
www.
brasseriejo.com. Reservations recommended. Main courses $18-$30. AE, DC, DISC,
MC, V. Mon-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm; Sun 4-9pm. Subway/El: Brown Line to
Merchandise Mart or Red Line to Grand.
Frontera Grill & Topolobampo
MEXICAN Owners
Rick and Deann Groen Bayless are widely credited with bringing
authentic Mexican regional cuisine to a wider audience. The build-
ing actually houses two restaurants: the casual Frontera Grill (plain
wood tables, terra-cotta tile floor) and the fine-dining Topolobampo
(white linen tablecloths, a more hushed environment). At both
restaurants, the focus is on fresh, organic ingredients supplied by
local artisanal farmers.
At Frontera, the signature appetizer is the
sopes surtidos,
corn-tor-
tilla “boats” with a sampler of fillings (chicken in red mole, black
beans with homemade chorizo, and so on). The ever-changing entree
list might include pork loin in a green mole sauce; smoked chicken
breast smothered in a sauce of chiles, pumpkin seeds, and roasted
garlic; or a classic
sopa de pan
(“bread soup” spiced up with almonds,
raisins, grilled green onions, and zucchini). Yes, you can also get
tacos (with fillings such as portobello mushrooms, duck, and cat-
fish). The Baylesses up the ante at the adjacent Topolobampo, where
both the ingredients and presentation are more upscale.
It can be tough to snag a table at Frontera during prime dining
hours, so do what the locals do: Put your name on the list and order
a few margaritas in the lively, large bar area.
445 N. Clark St. (between Illinois and Hubbard sts.).
&
312/661-1434.
www.frontera
kitchens.com. Reservations accepted at Frontera Grill for parties of 5-10; accepted at
Topolobampo for parties of 1-6. Frontera Grill main courses $21-$28. Topolobampo
main courses $32-$38; chef's 5-course tasting menu $75 ($120 with wine pairings).
AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Frontera Grill Tues-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm; Sat 10:30am-2:30pm;
Tues-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm. Topolobampo Tues 11:45am-2pm; Wed-Fri
11:30am-2pm; Tues-Thurs 5:30-9:30pm; Fri-Sat 5:30-10:30pm. Subway/El: Red Line
to Grand.
Osteria Via Stato
ITALIAN Like Italian? Like sur-
prises? Then you'll enjoy Osteria Via Stato's twist on traditional Ital-
ian dining. A set price of $36 buys you a full, European-style meal: a
range of antipasto plates (which could be anything from house-cured
olives to braised veal meatballs), two pasta dishes (served family style),
and a meat entree (the only dish you actually choose from the menu).
Pastas are usually a mix of hearty and light; pappardelle with free-
range chicken ragu might be served alongside gemelli with sage and
brown butter. Entrees include halibut Milanese with lemon-herb
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