Best Dinner Places to Eat in Norridge

"Alinea’s website is clear: “Alinea is not a restaurant.” On top of delicious food, Alinea promises a performance, a spectacle of modern cuisine, and “a serving of emotions” over a modest three- to five-hour dinner of 18 to 22 courses. And ever since Head Chef Grant Achatz was featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table, the restaurant’s notoriety has exploded. Alinea plays with the presentation (driftwood topped with seaweed), sensory experience (an edible helium balloon made of green apple taffy), and sound."

"This long-time West Loop favorite is a pioneer in the business-oriented district, drawing crowds with vibrant Mediterranean cuisine. Small and large plates almost demand ordering extra, just to sample as many flavors as possible. Roasted skate wing is exemplary of the kitchen's finesse with seafood, while memories of chorizo-stuffed medjool dates will keep you up at night."

"For those of you who prefer fine dining, this is more of an upscale restaurant experience. Blackbird is a restaurant where you’ll find fantastic mid-western food showcasing farm-to-table ingredients. They offer great choices for meat eaters and vegetarians alike."

"One Off is also responsible for The Publican and Pacific Standard Time. These are all good date restaurants in Chicago. Plan the perfect outfit for your date in Chicago."

"The ultimate in adult fun, Streeterville opens on the 25th of June, but a sneak peek provided us with all we needed to know. 9,000 square feet of terrace complete with a lawn where you can while away the time playing croquet and resting your weary bones in birdcage chairs. It’s a garden party come to roost."

"Apolonia’s menu collects flavors from Europe and the Mediterranean, from grilled branzino with olives and fennel to delicate scallop tagliatelle (with pasta made in-house, of course). This South Loop spot also brings a thoughtful approach to its bar stocked with more than 75 wines, a selection of vermouths by the glass, and showstopping cocktails, such as the creme de violette-tinged Fight or Flight, whose coupe is rimmed with beautiful edible flowers. 2201 S Michigan Ave.; (312) 363-2431 or apoloniachicago.com"

"West Coast native Stephen Gillanders has found a home in Chicago and his Pilsen spot, S.K.Y., has emerged as one of the best restaurants in town. The former Lettuce Entertain You chef has followed that effort with Apolonia, a radical change as Gillanders dives into European cuisine in the South Loop. The chef takes a playful approach with pastas, a giant-sized chicken Kiev, and more."

"Stephen Gillanders’s much-anticipated new restaurant near McCormick Place debuted in April and the results have been impressive. The bright and airy space centers on European-Mediterranean cuisine and hosts brunch service on weekends. Enjoy refined versions of bucatini carbonara, frittata Florentine, salade Lyonnaise, and more."

"A funhouse of modern potables, Aviary’s cocktail craft is unparalleled. Whether they're serving a margarita with ice cubes made with Fresno chile juice, or a Manhattan encapsulated in a frozen sphere cracked tableside with a custom-designed "slingshot," mixologists don’t create drinks as much as liquid performance art. The kitchen chefs work some magic, too, and can be serving tiny complementary bites like a sea-salt-flecked dark chocolate candy bar filled with whipped foie gras nougat."

"From the owners of Alinea, the Aviary takes chef Grant Achatz’s approach to molecular gastronomy and applies it to beverages. That might be off putting to dive bar lovers, but the result is a bar with vintage spirits, unique cocktails, and prices that make the well-to-do feel like they’re spending their money on something worthy. For pure cocktail fans, the presentation, glassware, and whimsical approach to beverages is worth scoring a reservation."

"Home to some of the best and most imaginative cocktails in the world, The Aviary is more than your regular bar or lounge, it's an experience in drinking that delivers unique beverages through interactive means. From elaborate containers, sensory experi...[Learn more]"

"Located in the Lincoln Park itself, the North Pond Nature Sanctuary is yet another one of the animal exhibits that is loved and adored not just by the locals but by the tourists alike. It is believed that the same is around 130-year-old pond nature sanctuary, which in itself is an amazing thing to witness. It is located in the N Lincoln Park W, Chicago, IL 60614, USA and opens when the Lincoln Park Zoo opens as well."

"A Lincoln Park summer staple, the line at Annette’s Italian Ice is consistently longer than at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams down the street. Although they’re most famous for vegan-friendly house-made Italian ice, they also serve fat-free frozen yogurt and traditional ice cream by Ashby’s Sterling. Flavors and toppings are scrawled on a white board to choose from."

"This Lincoln Park staple only opens their outdoor window in the summer, so don’t miss out. While it has all your childhood favorite ice creams flavors, the Italian ice is the real star here. No bad flavors can be found here."

"Sadly, Annette’s is only open during the warm weather season, but their italian ices are the perfect refreshing summer treat. This Lincoln Park hole-in-the-wall is a delicious local secret."

"Carnivals can be fun and terrifying, and they tend to involve both lines and funnel cake. The same could be said of the funnel cake sundae at Sugar Shack in Bridgeport, which is exactly what it sounds like, i.e. an ice cream sundae piled on top of some funnel cake that you’re going to have to wait in line for. It’s delicious, and although you may briefly wonder what it will do to your body, you also won’t care."

"If you’re craving classic funnel cakes, make your way to Bridgeport ASAP. The 26th Street Sugar Shack doesn’t offer your ordinary carnival dessert. No, it comes in a sundae, and you can add whatever toppings you want."

"Home to the famous funnel cake sundae, this is a must-stop for every ice cream fanatic. Whether you’re getting the sundae for the taste or the Instagram, it will not disappoint."

"Among the 26 different gardens here are the three-island Malott Japanese Garden, the 5-acre Evening Island, and the Grunsfeld Children's…"