Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Woodridge

"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."

"Alinea is Chicago’s only three-star Michelin restaurant, but sister restaurants Next and Roister each have a star of their own (and offer takeout); the Alinea Group is the most decorated restaurant group in the city. Founded in 2005 by Chef Grant Achatz and Tock creator Nick Kokonas, Alinea is more of an immersive flavor experience than a conventional restaurant. Which makes it all the more impressive that they have translated their food-art into a take out format."

"This is one of the most famous restaurants in the world, and its tasting menus can cost anywhere between $200 and $400 per person. So you definitely need to plan ahead if you want to come here. Your meal won’t just be expensive - it’s also guaranteed to be pretty dramatic (expect lots of theatrics, like edible balloons and fog machines)."

"End your evening with dinner at Avec, an adorable, modern and warm spot where you can dine tapas-style. You absolutely must order the chorizo-stuffed dates. Holy moly, they are incredible!!!. You can thank me later."

"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"

"Located in the Art Institute of Chicago, this Italian-Mediterranean fusion is both exotically delicious, chic, and partially open-air. If you’re looking for a fancy restaurant to have dinner with a beautiful view of Chicago, you’ll enjoy the glass canopy hanging over the restaurant. Dining here in any weather is totally acceptable, and you’ll still find yourself in the midst of beautiful views."

"Rooftop restaurants Chicago, Terzo Piano | Photocredit: http://www.terzopianochicago.com/. Located on top of the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Terzo Piano rooftop restaurant is a given lunch destination for anyone visiting the museum. Or anyone else for that matter, as it is open to all, museum-visitor or not."

"This farm-to-table BYOB puts a "punk rock twist" on Mexican small plates, including grilled pork ribs with honey-pasilla sauce, and Duck Tinga. Guy's favorite was the flautas stuffed with chicken thighs in chipotle sauce. Watch the Video: Scratch-Made Chicken Flautas"

"So come here for the pancakes, but stay for the Gallagher flashbacks. Plus the friendly staff is awesome, and will instantly make you feel like a regular. View this post on Instagram"

"It’s an international law of the universe that kids love pizza. At Forno Rosso, adults get just as excited about what comes to the table. They serve up authentic Neapolitan-style pizza with some awesome flavor combinations."

"Celeste is a contemporary, chic lounge, restaurant and bar that echoes the glamorous era of turn-of-the-century Chicago. Beautifully designed interiors, stylish décor, and tranquil lighting combine to create an elegant and refined ambiance while three separate dining spaces offer multi-faceted atmospheres. The bar serves a range of classic and inventive cocktails, wines and craft brews, as well as a selection of refined small bites of sophisticated, seasonal American cuisine."

"The rooftop garden, located four floors up, allows a dose of escapism under a glass-enclosed roof, decorated with Victorian-style furniture, tropical greenery and vine-covered brick walls."

"Located in one of Chicago’s quieter neighborhoods, Ada Street is a stylish and contemporary restaurant that serves New American-Mediterranean cuisine in a refined and elegant setting. Owners Michael Kornick and David Morton provide guests with a menu of Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as pan-seared Arctic char, grilled baby octopus, and agave glazed lamb ribs. Ada Street also has an eclectic selection of handcrafted cocktails, local and imported brews and beers on tap, and fine red and white wines."

"Twinkly nights and a pretty patio are pretty much a slam dunk for any successful date night, and Ada Street delivers on it all. Sit outside and share small plates in a cute little courtyard if you can, but know that the inside offers a similarly pleasant experience."

"If you weren’t actively looking for this restaurant, you wouldn’t find it. But you should look for it, because the food is delicious and the cozy interior is the perfect escape on a winter night."

"Four-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner Sushi Dokku is located in the heart of West Loop’s restaurant row. The menu features a large selection of standard nigiri and sashimi, as well as chef-driven nigiri, such as the South Pacific sea bream with smoked tomato and black sea salt. After dinner, head downstairs to Booze Box for a sake-based cocktail."

"The Michelin Bib Gourmand title is given to restaurants serving superior food at a moderate price, and Sushi Dokku was awarded this honor more than once. Sushi Dokku’s menu is big, from standard appetizers like agedashi tofu to ramen noodles, to variety of fresh sushi. One of the main attractions here is the chef’s special nigiri sushi."

"Description: Sushi Dokku is a Michelin Guide restaurant that has TO DIE FOR sashimi and nigiri (no exaggeration). Featured above is the tuna with cilantro and yuzu. What more could anyone want?"

"The MCA is one of the city’s museums that’s in a near constant state of transition. With its relatively small permanent collection, it relies on special shows—from large scale installations to video, fashion, music, photography, and more—that showcase just as many rising local talents and underground, avant-garde renegades as recognizable names. Past exhibits include David Bowie Is, Takashi Murakami: The Octopus Eats Its Own Leg, and Virgil Abloh: Figures of Speech."

"Another great family-friendly art museum is the Museum of Contemporary Art. Their belief is that it’s never too early to enjoy contemporary art and they have two great programs to help accomplish their mission. On the second Saturday of the month, the museum hosts Family Day with open-ended activities inspired by current art exhibits."

"Intuit: The centre for intuitive and outsider art is the only non-profit organization in the United States that presents intuitive, outsider and contemporary self-taught art. The Henry Darger Collection holds a permanent spot in this gallery, which also features a permanent collection containing more than a thousand artworks. There is a study centre at the gallery: Robert A. Roth Study Center, which conducts educational programs and is open for the public."

"Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art features a large number of artworks presenting intuitive and outsider art. They have been featuring various artworks since 1991. Their world-class exhibitions give an opportunity for the public to explore this kind of art."