This new weekly series, "Chicago Gems of the Week," is designed to highlight restaurants I have visited and really enjoyed. While this series will focus on highlighting and introducing you to more authentic, "off the beaten path" restaurants that I believe truly represent the heart of Chicago's culinary landscape, it will also feature all kinds of great spots. I want to highlight restaurants that I think do a great job of capturing the heart of Chicago's diverse food scene. Each week, this series will shine a spotlight on those restaurants that serve up incredible food with great stories, too. Welcome to The Taste Archives Chicago Gems of the Week!
La Luna - Neighborhood: Pilsen
Step into La Luna and you'll immediately notice the amazing smell of fresh tortillas being pressed by hand. This Pilsen gem puts a creative spin on Mexican dishes - including dishes like duck confit tacos and seasonal veggie combinations. The restaurant is small, but always seems to be filled with people. La Luna has a lot of unique cocktails like horchata espresso martini that was delicious, and definitely something I haven't seen anywhere else. Between the beautiful local art on the walls and the warm atmosphere, I think La Luna delivers an authentic Mexican dining experience that captures traditional flavors while adding its own modern flair. Favorite dish we ordered: Entraña - skirt steak, salsa molcajete, luna potatoes, and lemon.
Akahoshi Ramen - Neighborhood: Logan Square
Hidden on a quiet stretch of Milwaukee Ave, this Logan Square ramen shop serves great, authentic tasting ramen in Chicago. It reminded me so much of my favorite ramen shop in Kyoto! The star here is their Akahoshi Miso - a bowl of pure comfort with creamy pork broth that simmers for nearly a day. The chashu pork practically melts in your mouth. While the space is small, it captures that intimate feel of Japan's best ramen shops, where the focus is entirely on what's in your bowl. Sitting at the ramen bar was a fun experience too as we watched everyone in the kitchen preparing the amazing bowls. This restaurant is hard to get a reservation, so highly recommend staying on alert for any that pop up. Favorite dish we ordered: Akahoshi Miso - blend of misos, homemade crinkly Sapporo-style noodles, beansprouts, green onions, menma bamboo shoots, and pork chashu.
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Pilsen Yards - Neighborhood: Pilsen
I think Pilsen Yards nails the perfect blend of restaurant and lounge vibes. The big central bar in the main area of the restaurant was buzzing with energy, while the heated, string-lit patio creates a cozy atmosphere even during Chicago winters. Normally heated patios can still be pretty chilly, but this one was very warm with heated floors and ceiling heaters. Inside, you'll find plenty of comfortable seating and a DJ on the weekends. I thought the tacos were the standout here, but and the appetizers are equally impressive. I can't wait to experience their outdoor space when summer hits! Favorite dish we ordered here: Taco Arabe and Queso Fundido.
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