Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Wood Dale

"Though Chicago is a city that prides itself on tradition, it is also a city that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Enter Alinea, a Michelin-starred restaurant that has consistently been named one of the Top 50 restaurants in the world. Since its opening, Alinea has redefined what fine-dining can be and nothing exemplifies that better than its edible balloon made from green apple taffy."

"The cuisine is a lesson in mastery, but also a blend of modern science and practical magic. Air-filled balloons are edible, senses of taste, touch, smell are tested, mental and emotional boundaries are pushed. The menu, an ever-shifting chameleon, is a reflection of the wizards in the kitchen, led by chef Grant Achatz himself—no two meals are ever alike."

"Chicago's lone three-Michelin-starred restaurant, helmed by the great chef Grant Achatz. Why we love it: Arguably Chicago's finest fine dining restaurant, Alinea is as focused on the experience of having a meal as it is about what you consume. Settle in for an evening of deconstructed dishes, billowing dry ice and edible balloons filled with helium."

"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."

"Go to this Euro-style wine bar when you're feeling gregarious; the rather stark space has seating for only 48 people, and it's a tight fit....Read More"

"Il Culaccino – Chicago Italian Restaurant has a full-service restaurant, bar, outdoor patio, and offer carryout, private events, and catering. A part of Franco’s Restaurant Group, IL Culaccino’s idea includes a luxurious casual dining restaurant, full-service bar, outdoor patio, and a vast list of fine and award-winning wines. Il Culaccino offers catering and private events."

"Funkenhausen is a unique Chicago eatery that opened in 2018 in the city's West Town district, housed within a restored 1920s-era building that once housed a warehouse and gymnasium. The restaurant is helmed by executive chef Mark Steuer, who draws upon his German heritage and upbringing in South Carolina to create unique fusion fare offerings at brunch and dinner. A charming bier hall atmosphere was designed by Daniel Boyd, featuring high arched ceilings, playful brass light fixtures, and unique decor elements like cuckoo clocks and vintage travel posters."

"Regardless of what certain chains might say, Jeni Britton Bauer is the real "dairy queen." The woman who ignited an ice cream renaissance in Columbus, Ohio with her namesake ice cream shop has become synonymous with seasonal and innovative ice creams. With several locations in Ohio, she brought her charming wares to Chicago via a sleek scoop shop on Southport. What sets Jeni apart is her unique approach to flavor combinations and textures."

"A post shared by Jenny Tully (@fred_burkle) on Dec 28, 2018 at 10:21am PST. Jeni Britton Bauer has created a niche for herself with her affordable scoops and an array of unusual but delicious flavors such as sun tea sorbet and cantaloupe. Jeni owns two ice cream shops in the city of Chicago, which offer her exceptionally creamy and mouth-watering ice-creams, new sundaes, and cookies."

"Must Try:Wildberry Lavender Jeni’s is always adding new and exciting ice cream flavors to the line-up in their Wicker Park and Lakeview store. From Goat Cheese and Cherry to the Whiskey Bacon Gelato Bar, you will not be short of delicious choices at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream. Jeni’s has a unique recipe with a smooth texture and buttercream body."

"I’ll admit, it’s still super weird to buy salad from a vending machine, even ones as handsome as these brightly lit ones. But after trying a host of other salad-slinging operations downtown, I came to realize how nicely done these jars of vegetables really are. The quality of the produce is impeccable and the toppings nicely chosen."

"And as always, you can find more photos of our adventures on Instagram @VoyagingHerbivore and to get updates straight to your inbox, enter your email below in the footer, or to the right on the sidebar. If you want to help us out even more, you can buy us a bit of fuel!. If you have any questions, comments, or other vegan restaurant recommendations for Chicago, be sure to comment below."

"Eden Chicago is a delightful offering on Chicago's West Loop dining scene, opened in 2016 by restaurateur Jodi Fife and her husband, executive chef Devon Quinn. The charming Mediterranean-style eatery serves up excellent brunch and dinner fare from the week, pulling from a variety of regional culinary traditions, including Israeli, Lebanese, and Spanish cuisines. Diners can enjoy delicious selections like baked shrimp paccheri, curried lentil brik, cumin-grilled lamb with couscous and merguez, and mushroom matzo ball soup with miso corn broth."

"At Eden, fresh, local, and sustainable fare is the focus, an approach that chef Devon Quinn accomplishes with the help of an onsite greenhouse, which stocks everything from arugula and oregano to fennel and figs. See them employed in a range of daytime dishes, such as breakfast bowls with Spanish fried eggs and jasmine rice, smoked ham crepes with gruyere and caramelized onions, and a Philly cheesesteak torta with peppers and provolone."

"Another restaurant with an appealing exterior facade, Eden goes for a more nature-filled ambiance to help you forget for a minute that you’re actually surrounded by skyscrapers, not trees."

"Plant Based Junkie takes your favorite burgers and other fast food and adds delicious plants to the mix. The "Chicken" sandwich comes in mild or spicy and their vegan cupcakes are the talk of the town!"

"I think all of Chicago was pumped when the cubs won the World Series (probably more than just Chicago, and pumped is probably an understatement). But other than our beloved Cubbies, Wrigley’s savory snacks make us fly the W. Nachos do taste better in a Cubs hat, actually."

"LaSalle St.Architects: Daniel Burnham & John Root/Frank Lloyd Wright. On the National Register of Historic Places and designated a Chicago Landmark in 1972, The Rookery is located in Chicago’s downtown Financial District. It was constructed during a transitional period in architectural history, using both load-bearing masonry and a skeletal frame, which are distinguishing elements of the Chicago School of Architecture."

"Before even visiting Chicago I knew about the famous stairs of the Rookery Building. If you want to take a picture of them (from the bottom) you’ll need to go on a tour of the building. Since the whole building is amazing, it’s well worth the admission…plus it goes to a good cause."

"Known for its limestone gatehouse and highly decorated columbarium niches, which are composed of photographs, artwork, flags, and other mementos of individuals whose ashes are stored there, this cemetery, established by Chicago's Czech community in 1877, also features storied mausoleums, stained glass images and a special dedication to Chicago Cubs fans. It's a quieter, welcome alternative to public parks that often draw rambunctious young children."