Walking down the main stretch of Wentworth Avenue in Chinatown, the large green sign for Won Kow is recognizable from blocks away.

Location: 116 W. Hubbard Phone: (312) 464-0466 Website: http://slurpingturtle.com/home.php Cuisine: Noodles Reservations: Not Taken Slurping turtle was an answer to my prayers. [...]

My first thought after one minute of browsing Publican Quality Meats was simply “how did it take this long for a place like this to exist?”

A standout Mexican restaurant in the heart of Wicker Park, Las Palmas offers intimate dining and an outdoor patio, the perfect place for a date or a giddy Margarita Night.

When thinking of great BBQ in Chicago, Smoke Daddy is one of the first places that comes to my mind.

Hagen’s Fish Market has operated in Portage Park since 1946 and is home to Chicago’s last natural hardwood smokehouse. They sell a variety of fresh, smoked and fried seafood, all prepared with a care and skill unrivaled in the city.

Tucked into a residential street in Ravenswood just a few blocks from the center of Lincoln Square, this is the type of place at which I could see myself becoming a regular. It’s Italian. It’s BYOB. And it’s inexpensive. A triple threat in my book.

Oprah’s famed personal chef, Art Smith, is still taking the Gold Coast by storm with his restaurant, Table Fifty-Two.

The Purple Pig’s slogan sums up the experience perfectly: “Cheese, Swine & Wine.” This Magnificent Mile restaurant is for the adventurous meat lover who enjoys sharing a great meal with friends over many bottles of wine. Sound up your alley? Yeah, we thought so.

Located next to the Cadillac Palace Theatre, Encore Liquid Lounge is great place for theatergoers to grab some pre or post show cocktails.

Showcasing traditional Catalan tapas dishes updated with contemporary flourishes, Mercat offers an outstanding dining experience in a beautiful setting.

Nestled on Wrightwood between Southport and Racine is a little piece of Italian heaven known as Rose Angelis.

This quaint cafe on Division street serves up great breakfast, brunch, and light lunch everyday of the week.

As a fan of DMK Burger Bar, I had high hopes for their next door neighbor by the same owners, Fish Bar. Another creation by Chef Michael Kornick, this little seafood spot doesn’t disappoint.