This teeny tiny (emphasis on tiny) sushi spot west of Western on Chicago Ave. is a gem. Yes, you will have to spend $15 on a cab getting there from downtown, but it is well worth the distance for the little morsels of sushi and sashimi this place dishes up for the six or so tables it fills.

It is kind of Antique Taco-meets-Japanese in terms of the decor and feel… The adornments are adorable, making this a great date spot (as my friend Trevor says, this would be a good fourth date spot once you know the person well enough to spend the evening with him or her “on an island”) or a place for a small girls dinner.

None of the tables here has more than room for about four, and there are ample bar stools for anyone wishing not to make a reservation but instead to pony up and watch the chef prepare his tasty creations.

Do not miss the maguro pearls or the flaming tuna. Oh, and it’s BYOB. Our table of four set us back a collective $100. Seriously? What’s not to like.

Kai Zan

2557 1/2 Chicago Ave. / Humboldt Park

This weekend, my friend Robin and I ran the CARA FirstMerit Bank Lakefront 10-Miler. We did the run as a fundraising effort for EGBOK Mission—an organization that is important to us both. EGBOK is devoted to connecting young adults with their potential as hospitality professionals. Currently, the organization is working with students in several countries in Asia, and we decided to run for their education.

We are happy to say we reached—and surpassed—our fundraising goal of $2,000.

What does this have to do with food? you might ask. Well second to our EGBOK contribution, the best thing about race day is the glorious post-run brunch that follows. I wanted to pick a place that is tried and true, and since we were already up at Montrose Harbor, we decided to go the extra mile (literally) and make it an M. Henry morning.

If you don’t know if, M. Henry is a brunch spot in Andersonville. It is reasonable, delicious and byob. I could eat M.Henry’s black bean cakes every morning. I might even try it, if it weren’t for the sometimes long-ish wait that can happen outside of M.Henry. Luckily, we arrived by 10 am and our party of six sat right down.

My recommendations: bring champagne if you are in the mood for a mimosa. M.Henry has big carafes of OJ that are great for mixing. You can never go wrong with the Latina Omeleta or Black Bean Cakes. The breakfast sandwich is another highlight.

However, word to the wise: if they are serving breakfast bread pudding (shown with berries) that is a must. Get it for the table, or for yourself. It is worth the “extra mile.”

Also, I am happy to hear that M.Henry has opened a sister spot. M. Henrietta! Located at Granville and Broadway, I’m thinking this might have had something to do with our minimal wait time…

M. Henry

5707 N. Clark / Andersonville / Chicago

No reservations / BYOB

Greetings from Brooklyn, where my friend Judy and I assembled this delightful and easy cocktail before our dinner out on Saturday night.

This sour cherry spritzer is refreshing and light, and with the exception of the sour cherry juice, you probably have all (two) ingredients already at home. We found the sour cherry juice at the corner grocery, but you can use any kind you like, such as this version from Trader Joe’s:

Photo: Courtesy of Trader Joe’s

Combine two parts red wine with one part sour cherry juice and a splash of plain seltzer water. Garnish with fresh mint (if on hand) and serve over ice. Delicious!

Because it has been almost summer-like in New York, a cold, refreshing cocktail was in order. Next stop: Franny’s…

Let’s just say I was extremely skeptical when Jam moved to Logan Square. First, they said at the old Ukrainian Village location it was uncertain as to whether they’d continue offering dinner (never happened). Then, it seemed before our eyes, it was just gone. Well, moved.

Huge bummer for me, because Logan Square is a bit of a hike from where I live. Also, because the old Jam patio had to be one of my favorite patios in the entire city (aside from Birchwood Kitchen, which technically has a back porch, but that is another story entirely).

The good news is, the new Jam is almost exactly like the old Jam, in most ways. Same bright and airy space, same lime green accents and sleek-but-comfortable interior, beautiful plating, yummy little amuse bouche muffins, even lots of the same staff…and now with even more menu offerings.

(The bad news? No more Spanish omelete. I guess it could have left the menu regardless of the location, but I am still very sad to see it go.)

Even though I’m fine with this move and I know Jam did what Jam had to do, two other quick downsides aside from the aforementioned patio travesty: no more proximity to Black Dog Gelato (and most certainly too much of a trek for my old favorite Jam-BDG alley-oop) and so many other options in Logan Square that could be potential competitors for me. With Longman and Eagle, Lula Cafe and the new Telegraph (which I have yet to try but my next Logan Square adventure will feature a stop), I have just a 1/4 chance of hitting up Jam, all other things being equal. Which, I’m not necessarily saying they are, but this is some serious competition, people. Maybe Jam was thinking the same thing…

Jam

3057 W. Logan Blvd. / Logan Square / Chicago

Dear Urban Belly: Thank you for making your rice cake with chicken, mango and Korean chili sauce the exact same every time. It truly is one of my favorite bites of food in the entire city of Chicago. I am convinced of it more and more each time I visit your bustling BYOB establishment (even though sometimes when I have to wait for a table I’m tempted to leave and go somewhere else). Please never take it off the menu!

Seriously, top-five single bites in the city. Asian delight.

On the one hand, it’s kind of a tease. Everything else on the menu from fried rices to dumplings, ramen, udon and regular specials cries out “try me” but it’s one of those places that I just know, if I don’t get the #15…I will end up going back for a second order (and we all know how that ends). My advice? Go here with at least one friend so one person can order this dish. OK, rave over.

Urban Belly is one of those almost too casual, but kind of just right-type places. It’s counter service, so no fuss over waiting, bussing, etc. (Similar to one of my other favorites, Milk and Honey, this really cuts down on what could be an unbearably long wait time for a table.)

DON’T go here if:

• You are not a fan of sharing a table with strangers. You will share a table with strangers.
• You like being waited on.
• You like bland and uninteresting food.
• You don’t like seafood or meat.
• You can’t use chopsticks (OK, you will survive if you can’t use them, but the skills will come in handy)
• You need a reservation (UB doesn’t take them)

GO here if:

• You are into really vibrant and exotic flavors and textures
• You love noodle bowls
• You love dumplings
• You love kimchi
• You enjoy adventure (this place happens to be in a strip mall-esque local near Belmont and California i.e. not River North or anywhere remotely near it)
• You like paintings made by elephants!

I think that just about sums it up. Oh, did I mention it’s BYOB? Not good for a first date, mainly because of that table-sharing thing I mentioned, but great for small groups (or you seriously will wait a while), dates, friends, family, anyone really!

Oh, and this Chef Bill Kim spot got a nod from Michelin this year as a Bib Gourmand—affordable eat in Chicago.

Urbanbelly

3053 N. California / Chicago

I will start by saying that Chicago is filled with good burgers. I sort of think of Kuma’s as one of the early trendsetters when it comes to a burger place with some edgier concept (in Kuma’s case, heavy metal and burgers named after the bands that perform it). Now we have Urban Burger Bar, DMK Burger Bar (with its numbered selections and a la carte menu), M Burger (Tru’s fast-food spinoff), Paramount Room (shhh, don’t tell anyone because I seriously never want it to become “discovered”!), the Counter (never really found a place in my food travels for this one)…and now enter: Butcher & the Burger.

From what I understand of this place, it’s the brainchild of Duchamp’s Al Sternweiler (also a burger very much worth mentioning) and a partner/restaurateur. Apparently, they know their burgers.

It has received a lot of buzz since opening its doors in what once was Armitage’s Out of the West boutique (sigh—to have tried on jeans in the same space where I now scarfed down massive quantities of hand cut fries and red meat seems sadly unfitting), touting more than 10,000 burger combos with its signature, and often exotic, spice blends, toppings, buns and various meat selections.

What I wish I had known going into this place: c-a-s-u-a-l. It’s counter service, order as you go, no-liquor-license-to-speak-of-so-please-BYOB and maybe even feel free to wear comfy, all-elastic waistband pants if you plan to sample B&B’s frozen custard for dessert. You won’t feel under-dressed, I promise.

The place has such a neighborhood feel that it almost worries me with its quiet location just west of the bustling area of Armitage Ave. I guess with burger combos like salmon with umami Asian spice and wasabi mayo (ordered by yours truly), it will be hard to stay too quiet, though.

P.S. Is anyone else finding the ampersand a little bit tiring? Between Girl & the Goat, Bangers & Lace and now…

The Butcher & The Burger

1021 W. Armitage / Lincoln Park

I will never, ever grow tired of Bucktown’s Birchwood Kitchen. Sunday’s visit was a special brunch outing with my friend Caitlin and her baby daughter. As always, it was fresh, organic and delicious. With the heat and humidity, we opted for indoor seating, but Birchwood’s back porch/patio area is my #1 favorite in Chicago.

Open-faced GBLT

The “G” in the open-faced GBLT sandwich on sourdough stands for gravlax, which was house-cured and fit the bill for my Sunday smoked salmon fix.

Also, Birchwood is an A La Carde destination, which is great if you haven’t already used your Birchwood card this year!

Birchwood Kitchen

2211 W. North Ave.

If you are a fan of the Korean dish called Bibim Bop—or even if you are just jonesing for a tasty and filling Asian-inspired dish in Lakeview, look no further than Crisp. Crisp features a variety of “Buddha Bowls,” which strongly resemble the Korean specialty, sans hot stone bowl. Crisp’s rice/veggie/egg/meat dishes are served in a big metal bowl that can often span two hungry diners, depending on whether you opt to sample some of Crisp’s other specialty: Korean BBQ’ed chicken. The chicken can often satisfy even my spice-seeking palate (which is saying a lot).

Crisp's Baby Buddha Bowl

This spot is perfect as a pre-Landmark Theater dinner if you are looking for something quick before a movie, or a casual spot for take-out, date night or a group of friends. Oh, and it’s BYOB!

Crisp

2940 N. Broadway, Chicago

I love Jam brunch. Always have, always will. Jam contains one of the tiniest kitchens in the city and it’s right there for the looking. But the food…that is the best part. (Actually, maybe it’s a tie between the food and the patio—a quaint and lush little haven tucked into its Ukrainian Village corner.) How the food comes out of that tiny open kitchen, though, I’ll never know. From the Spanish omelet to the cheddar and pork belly scone I sampled on this past visit, the menu is not to be missed.

But I have a bone to pick with Jam. Until, oh, Sunday, I was getting really excited for a Jam dinner outing. The restaurant has offered a seasonal dinner menu in the past during the warmer months only. When I asked about the dinners coming back, the hostess told me it’s uncertain, and it sounded very unlikely, that they would be coming back at all.

Devastation.

I guess it’s good news for Logan Square locals; Jam says it won’t be bringing dinner back to its Damen Ave. location because it has big plans for a new location in Logan Square. And yes, dinner will be served at that one.

Jam

937 N. Damen

Cash only, BYOB, no reservations

Ninety miles is the distance from Cuba to Key West. But actually, this “Logan Square” BYOB spot is a lot closer—just past Western on Armitage. Be prepared for: really good mojito and sangria mix, a cozy fireplace and tent-like dining area that really does feel like somewhere off the coast.

You definitely will want to stock the Bacardi and/or a good bottle of grenache before heading to 90 Miles—the drinks are pretty serious stuff. For adventurous eaters, you’ll find frog legs (they really do taste like chicken!). For something less . . . swimmy, the menu has a long list of Cuban entrees, almost all served with black beans and rice and yummy plantains on the side.

All reasonably priced at around $12 to $25, the food was good, but it was the vibe of the place that will bring me back. Our party of seven made it to a great table, no problem and no reservation (they don’t take resos) around 8:30 on a Friday. But the place was still adequately packed and definitely bustling. Good mood lighting; not too dark. We kept remarking at what a perfect spot it would be for a birthday party (a nearby party of 20 was welcomed—although I do suspect they called ahead). GREAT for groups. An outdoor patio also looked pretty perfect for a warmer weather visit.

2540 W. Armitage

www.90milescubancafe.com