Still, it may not be a totally meaningful list as it reflects biases within the small group of people who people who make up the James Beard society. The James Beard Awards are basically the Oscars of American cooking. If someone wanted to create a statistical ranking of cities probably the best place to start would be the geographical distribution James Beard Award nominees over the last 5 or 10 years. To be a good fine dining food town you need some combination of expense account diners, convention goers, a strong economy, lots of rich people or lots of tourists. Madison is noteworthy because it has L'etoile which is one of the best restaurants in the country. You would have to eat in a lot of restaurants in a lot of places to really be able to say.īased on reputation in the industry I would say that for high end fine dining Detroit, Cleveland and the Twin Cities are probably the top tier (after Chicago which is the #3 food town in the country). I am not going to say which city is the best because, frankly, I am not qualified to make such judgement. Currently I am the head chef of a busy, neighborhood institution type restaurant in Uptown, Minneapolis. I am a professional chef, I have worked in kitchens in the Twin Cities for the last 15 years including some pretty good ones. If you’re hungry for more recommendations, check out our list of the best restaurants on the Chicago Riverwalk.I probably have a duty to post in this thread. What to order: Duck Gyro, Htapodaki Sti Sgara (Grilled Octopus)Īddress: 1558 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622Ĭhicago’s skyline views are not the only ones that will take your breath away. Is this the best Grilled Octopus to exist? We don’t know, but it’s hands down the best in the city!

This one will have you thinking about its flavor 24/7, with your mouth salivating each time. If you’ve never had the chance to try Grilled Octopus, the ones at Taxim’s will change your life. This spit-roasted duck breast and leg is a dish that came down from heaven- it tastes absolutely divine! You’re doing yourself a disservice if you do. You can’t come to Taxim without ordering their Duck Gyro.

With an all-Greek wine list and a full bar filled with stylish decor, you know they mean serious business here. WoodWindĪ cozy and welcoming Greek restaurant, Taxim offers a variety of delicious Greek dishes that will delight your taste buds. What to order: South Loop Omelet, Chicken ThighsĪddress: 133 E Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60616 It has just the right amount of crunch that is a delight to hear when you take a bite. The egg’s fluffiness is unlike any place you’ve ever been to.ĭid we mention VU is home to one of the best Chicken Thighs in town? Tender and well-seasoned, this chicken has the perfect kick to wake your taste buds up. Sausage, provolone, and giardiniera peppers fused into a delicious Omelet, VU Rooftop Bar’s South Loop Omelet will have you wishing you could have breakfast here every day. If you want to take eating and hanging out with friends to another level, VU Rooftop Bar is your best bet. The modern and stylish decor complements the city’s stunning views you can see from the huge floor-to-ceiling windows. A hidden gem situated in the South Loop of Chicago, VU Rooftop Bar sets a new standard for rooftop dining with their delectable selections of New American fare.

Chicago skyscraper restaurant