Some of my favorite meals in 2012

The other passion I have, in addition to contemporary art and music, is food and drink. Typically together. And almost always shared with Richard and close friends. Living in Chicago allows me to easily and eagerly satisfy this passion. And what I love best is that I can eat and drink very well across the spectrum, from simply inexpensive and on the run, to high end and over multiple courses. It is one of the reasons I truly love my adopted home city - to eat here is to live well.

To honor this passion, I now list some of the best places I dined at over the past year. Take it as solely one man's opinion ... but definitely enjoy the options, if you've failed to get to one of these spots.  You'll be pleased if you do!

Listed by neighborhood:

Avondale/Logan Square:
Yusho, hands down, is a new favorite - from the creative drinks to the really fine bites, this is Asian fusion that sings.  And it is now quite readily complemented by Fat Rice, just a skip down Diversey. This Portuguese-Chinese upstart had me smitten from the moment I first sat down and encountered its exciting menu.  From the small bite starters to the best gin and tonic (called, of course, a Gintonic, and served with Thai basil) I've ever had, and the truly amazing Arroz Gordo, this place is a true star. I can only add that both of these restaurant choices serve to increase my love affair with Logan and its amazing culinary offerings that are already well established: Michelin-star award winning Longman & Eagle, longstanding Lula's, and the always fantastic Sunday Dinner underground restaurant I've come to adore (thank you Angel for that introduction, hands down).

Randolph Street/West Loop:
The best experiences with food Richard and I had this year were, without question, at Next. After loving the introductory's year's adventure with Thai street food, we eagerly ponied up and did the elBulli homage.  It was truly sublime, from the minimalist environment to being shown just how amazing true molecular gastronomy can be.  This was followed up, about three months later, with the fantastic Sicilian dinner, where we were stunned by the flavors and a set of wine pairings that truly opened up Italy.  Finally, with Kyoto, we were thrilled by the kaiseki dinner, where beauty and taste merged. Each meal was simply outstanding and worth every bit of the cost of the season's tickets we acquired (thanks to Richard's diligence and persistence with the crazy online purchase process). Grant Achatz is hands down one of the best things about Chicago.

OK, so I will have to admit that even though it is a restaurant often filled with the kind of douchebags I try to give a wide berth, I found Nellcote to have some fine offerings in terms of drinks (best enjoyed while sitting at the bar) and fun pizzas to share. I will chalk it up to the company I've been with while there (hello Rafacz and Speh), but hey, it is a reminder that when you're with the right people, you can have fun anywhere.  But the real plum along Randolph these days is BellyQ, which is up there now as one of my favorite Chicago restaurants.  Chef Bill Kim has actually allowed me to enjoy Korean-fusion almost as much as I love simple Korean.  While it is a whole different experience than his star turn, Urban Belly, it is one well worth taking in.

I cannot forget to mention Au Cheval.  Another way too packed setting, that is also too often filled with douchebags (try to avoid at the end of the week), it is Chicago's high end answer to the diner, where some very fine grub and excellent drinks can be readily found and happily consumed. Again, with the right friends, it is a totally enjoyable experience, because it becomes all about the company and the food.

Finally, I will add Embaya to my list of new favorites in the West Loop.  The bar alone is worth the trip over, as it is truly a setting for hanging out, talking and drinking.  And while I've only sampled a little of the offerings available, what I had was quite lovely.  I will definitely be heading back for a true immersion in the food.

So now, with the opening of Little Goat (I've taken in the sandwiches and find them just fine), the options in the Randolph corridor just keep growing ... adding to established favorites Publican, Girl and the Goat, La Sardine, and Sawtooth.

South Loop:
As much as I truly enjoy living south of Roosevelt, there remains a paucity of truly good eating down here these days.  Yes, there are some very fine standups (Eleven City Diner, the re-emerging Gioco, Mercat a la Planxa, Oysy, Zapatista, and our Chinatown faves Moon Palace and the Lao offerings), but these are old standbys, and they are sadly surrounded by mostly new openings in the sports bar category (hence the rapidly appropriate "Lincoln Park South" moniker that is coming to define the South Loop ... yep, those dreaded Chads and Trixies are showing up in droves here now). But with regard to fine dining, not really much has changed in the past couple of years.  Except Acadia.  Which was really quite a surprise to find on Wabash south of Roosevelt.  Because it was a simply lovely dinner that Richard and I had in honor of his last birthday, with excellent wines and an accomplished chef's tasting menu, coupled with superb service.  We will definitely be back!

North Side:
Truth be told, when it comes to the north side, there are a number of favorite spots we regularly hit (across the taste spectrum), but sadly, we just haven't spent as much time hitting any of the new spots that have opened up on the north side this past year as we have with the West Loop.  I am definitely psyched to finally check out some of the new options that have recently opened, like Kai San in Humboldt and Carriage House in West Town, as well as the new offering by Chilam Balam over on Chicago Avenue. But hey ... those recommendations will have to wait until tastes have been taken.  And do know this, if I can get into Schwa again, you know I will be there. And raving highly.