Chicago magazine's May Issue: Best New Restaurants

CHICAGO, April 8, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago's dining scene is world-class, able to constantly reinvent itself even as one-time culinary leaders like Charlie Trotter's close shop. More than 70 dining spots opened in the city and suburbs over the past 12 months, and the May issue of Chicago magazine ranks the 18 top newcomers. As always, Chicago's dining team has tasted their way through every promising contender to assemble this definitive list, which includes a dark Alpine den (Table, Donkey and Stick), a modest sushi BYO in Humboldt Park (Kai Zan), and an improbable kosher barbecue joint (Milt's Barbecue for the Perplexed). Most of the winners are intentionally unglamorous, focusing instead on delivering a fun and approachable dining experience. Top ranking was given to fine-dining standout Grace, followed by No. 2 Bavette's Bar & Boeuf, and No. 3 Found. Rounding out the top ten are: No. 4 Elizabeth Restaurant, No. 5 Kai Zan, No. 6 Carriage House, No. 7 Trenchermen, No. 8 Chez Moi, No. 9 Little Goat Diner, and No. 10 BellyQ.

The cover story, on newsstands Thursday, also includes the six best new budget spots—for Thai, empanadas, tacos, and more—and the six most anticipated restaurant openings in the months ahead.

Also in the May issue of Chicago:

• High Hopes – Does 23-year-old slugger Anthony Rizzo have what it takes to reverse the Cubs' curse? Once you know what he's been through to become a Cub, you might say yes. Since being drafted by the Red Sox as a high school senior, he has survived a scary bout with cancer, overwhelming hype about his potential, and a major slump that jeopardized his career. Now Theo Epstein—the same GM who brought two championships to that other long-suffering team in Boston— has handpicked him to lead the Cubs' rebuilding.
• Getting Away with Murder – Chicago made national headlines for its sky-high murder rate in 2012. Just as troubling but less reported is the city's record-low homicide clearance rate. Of the 507 homicides in Chicago last year, only a quarter have been solved. Through interviews with more than 30 police sources and internal police data, writer Noah Isackson explores why police are struggling to bring so many people to justice— leaving them free to kill again. 
• Summer Fashion – Whether digital, animal, or floral, prints are hot for summer. Here are the season's best offerings, from dresses to swimsuits.
• Shopping – This new special insert provides a seasonal guide to the best shopping in Chicago, including fresh gift ideas for Mother's Day (coming up on May 12), surprisingly chic options in kids' wear, and colorful accessories to brighten up your home for spring.

Chicago magazine's editor-in-chief Elizabeth Fenner, and other members of the magazine staff, are available for on-air interviews about stories in the May issue. Contact Allison Roche at 312-832-6774 to schedule an interview.

About Chicago magazine
Chicago magazine is the largest monthly city magazine in the country, with a circulation of more than 150,000.

About Chicago Tribune Media Group
Chicago Tribune Media Group publishes the Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune as well as related print and interactive media serving Chicagoland such as RedEye, Hoy, Triblocal, TheMash, chicagotribune.com, triblocal.com and metromix.com.

For more information, visit www.chicagomag.com/press.

SOURCE Chicago magazine