1. Noriko Handroll Bar - Fulton River District
Noriko Handroll Bar recently opened in the downstairs level of Perilla in Fulton River District. Noriko immediately caught my attention because it reminds me of my favorite handroll spot in New York City, KazuNori. I love KazuNori and try to visit every time I'm in New York because the handrolls taste so good, and are also reasonably priced for the quality. The menu and pricing at Noriko looks similar to KazuNori, and the reviews look just as good too.
2. DJ's Great Room - Old Town
I have passed by DJ's Great Room a few times now, and the restaurant itself always caught my eye. I booked this for a group happy hour, and I'm looking forward to trying this! Their happy hour menu is from 4-6pm Tuesday - Friday, and includes $11 classic cocktails, $10 wine and sangria, and small bites like Crispy Tofu, Truffle Fries, and Spicy Meatballs all under $10.
3. Cellar Door Provisions - Logan Square
The menu at Cellar Door Provisions is one that looks exciting because they change it weekly, all dependent on seasonal ingredients. The restaurant looks like a cozy, simple space, and is also on Michelin's Bib Gourmand list. I’m always drawn to restaurants like this where you can trust the kitchen to surprise you, and each visit promises something new.
4. Monster Ramen - Logan Square
Not suprisingly, I have another ramen shop on the docket to try. I truly crave ramen at least 3 times a week, so I'm excited to try Monster Ramen that's been on my list for a while. After reading some reviews, it looks like the restaurant focuses on beef broth. I typically order Tonkatsu, a pork based broth, so I'm excited to try the beef broth ramen.
https://monsterramenchicago.com/
5. Chef's Special Cocktail Bar - Bucktown
Chef's Special was a recommendation that I'm looking forward to trying as well. The restaurant has Chinese‑American dishes, and has a retro ambiance. The cocktails look delicious, and they also do a happy hour every day from 5-6pm.
