Chicago's Best New Restaurants & Bars
from November
BY KAILLEY LINDMAN THRILLIST
NOVEMBER 30, 2025
There will be no bigger roller coaster month than November of 2016 between the World Series and the presidential election. The emotions that rode on both historic events were a topsy-turvy thrill ride. Now that the dust has started to settle, our attention turns to food and booze (as it so often does this time of year). Chicago's dining and drinking scene opened up seven key spots in November including a Found follow up in Evanston and a dive bar revival in Logan Square.
CITY SOCIAL
LOOP
2016's Loop dining renaissance marches on with the arrival of this inviting new bar, where both the food and beverage programs demand to be taken seriously. Belly up to the seemingly endless marble bar for some hard-earned post-work bliss in the form of a frothy glass of craft beer, chorizo poutine laden with Tabasco-spiked gravy, steak tartare crowned with a quail egg, and ahi tuna poke.
. . . . .
After Work, You Go Here Now
There’s Beer, Steak Tartare and a Bar That Has No Business Being As Long As It Is
BY SAM EICHNER URBANDADDY
NOVEMBER 18, 2025
Let’s assume you’ve had a long week.
And that you’d like to end it on a high note.
And that you want your high note to include some cola-braised carnitas tacos.
Great.
Now let’s stop all this assuming business and direct you to City Social Kitchen & Bar.
It’s a comely new tavern in the Loop where you and some other people can unwind over draft beers and a former GT Fish & Oyster chef’s worldly brand of bar food. It’s open now, and this is what it looks like.
The people behind this rather lengthy drinking den—which houses a half-block-long marble bar, ample booths and an open kitchen—are also behind nearby taverns Jackson, Randolph and Madison. You could say they’re well versed in the art of post-work leisure.
So on any given evening not unlike this one, you’ll position yourself at that bar and request a beer or reserve-rum-and-sherry libation. For a snack, maybe go with the quail egg steak tartare or some ahi tuna poke. If you’re in the mood for something heavier, there’s always the chorizo poutine doused with Tabasco gravy.
And there’s your Thanksgiving tie-in.
. . . . .
New City Hall Happy Hour Spot, City Social,
Opens in the Loop
by Ashok Selvam EATER CHICAGO
Nov 17, 2025
Trips to City Hall can be draining downtown, but a new bar/restaurant has opened to give city employees and the folks they work for a place to refuel. It’s called City Social Kitchen & Bar, and it represents an extension of the same formula owner Rachel Dennis has employed at her other Tavern Collective bars which include Randolph Tavern, Madison Tavern, Jackson Tavern.
The formula means a place for work colleagues to gather and catch up or somewhere to comfortably watch sports without being decked out fully in a team’s regalia. There are 14 plasma TVs in the 250-seat space. The bar brings a solid beer list—20 on tap and 20 in bottles/cans—and a comfortable menu of bar food. The cocktail menu consists of 11 drinks including sangria by the glass.
They’ve charged chef Anhuar Pantoja with building the menu, who left Alpana Singh’s The Boarding House where he was chef de cuisine. He was also sous chef at Singh's Seven Lions. The menu covers Mexican flavors, burgers and a healthy amount of seafood items.
Tavern Collective also includes Tapworks Tavern in Greektown, Lake Street Kitchen and Bar in suburban Oak Park and Piggyback Tavern in suburban Forest Park.
City Social Kitchen & Bar, 120 N. LaSalle St., (312) 888-2968, open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays.
. . . . .
Randolph Tavern owner opening
another Loop restaurant
PETER FROST CRAIN'S DINING
November 15, 2025
The team behind a trio of downtown taverns (Randolph, Madison and Jackson) plans to open another bar and restaurant tomorrow that's cut from the same cloth.
City Social Kitchen & Bar, a 250-seat modern American restaurant at 120 N. LaSalle St., has a "please everyone" menu stocked with charcuterie, tacos, burgers, salads and steak. The bar will mix craft cocktails with Chicago-centric names; pour 40 beers, with a focus on local and craft; and serve 30 wines by the glass.
The kitchen, led by chef Anhuar Pantoja (Seven Lions, Boarding House), will feature entrees such as octopus a la plancha with papas bravas; a Brussels sprouts and burrata toast with apple saba and charred radicchio; and a burger topped with poblano peppers, onion and pepper jack cheese.
With wood-planked walls, a long marble bar and floor-to-ceiling windows, the space is in the same mold as owner Tavern Collective's other restaurants, which include Lake Street Kitchen & Bar in Oak Park, Piggyback Tavern in Forest Park and the three downtown-area taverns.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20161115/BLOGS09/161119921/randolph-tavern-owner-opening-another-loop-restaurant
. . . . .
Tavern Collective brings hip new gathering place
to the heart of downtown Chicago
(CHICAGO; November 14, 2025)--Tavern Collective (Randolph Tavern, Jackson Tavern, Madison Tavern) introduces City Social Kitchen & Bar to downtown Chicago at 120 N LaSalle. Directly across the street from City Hall, and steps away from the James R Thompson Center, Cadillac Palace and Oriental theatres, and all major transit, the 250-seat City Social Kitchen & Bar is a hip, urban gathering place serving genuine food, craft beer, elevated cocktails and fine wine in the heart of the Loop.
City Social's kitchen is led by Chef Anhuar Pantoja. During his impressive culinary career, Chef Anhuar has worked for many of Chicago's recognized restaurants including Seven Lions, The Boarding House, and GT Fish & Oyster. A blend of contemporary and classic offerings, City Social offers something for everyone including charcuterie, tacos, specialty burgers, diverse salads, and steak.
Signature items include Octopus a la Plancha with papas bravas, shishito peppers, and chipotle romesco; Crispy Brussels & Burrata toast with brussels sprouts, burrata, apple saba, and charred radicchio; the Green Chili Burger with poblano peppers, onion, and pepper jack on a potato bun; the Flank Steak Sandwich featuring gyro-spiced flank steak with dill crema, red onion, and roasted tomato on ciabatta; Cola Carnitas Tacos featuring cola-braised carnitas with salsa de arbol, cabbage, onion and cilantro; Salmon Marinated Poke or Ahi Tuna Fresh Poke with ponzu, seaweed, black lava salt, and spicy green peas; Little Gem Caesar salad with little gem greens, seared ahi tuna, celery leaf, egg, queso oaxaca fritter, red shisho dressing, and togarashi; and Ancient Grain salad with chickpea, freekeh, quinoa, farro, fennel, pepita, and pumpkin vinaigrette. Vegetarians will be pleased with several options from small plates to entrees. City Social's cuisine is an eclectic mix of multi-cultural dishes, matching the richness and diversity of Chicago. Appetizers range from $9-14, sandwiches from $10-18, and entrees from $14-30.
City Social’s half-block-long marble bar offers over 40 beers—20 on tap—featuring local and craft brews as well as mainstays. The wine list offers both old world and new world, with 30 wines available by the glass. House-crafted cocktails include The LaSalle with reserve rum, sherry, apricot liqueur, and lime; Big Shoulders with St. George Bruto Americano, Journeyman Last Feather Rye, and alessio; and The Blue Line with plum sake, violet liqueur, and plum bitters.
An all-welcoming layout allows guests to choose from a variety of seating options including booths, large group and community tables, bar seating, and traditional tables. The restaurant’s design is relaxed with natural features including a marble bar, wood tables, and wood plank walls. Fourteen large plasma televisions line the half-block long bar for catching games or the latest news. Other design touches include hand-painted street art and the floor-to-ceiling windows are adorned with the lost art of hand-applied gold leaf.
About City Social
This urban kitchen is bustling with power lunches, workday happy hours, dinner, and theatre dining. City Social is located in the heart of downtown Chicago steps away from City Hall, State of Illinois building, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and all major transit. City Social plans to open its doors November 15th and will serve lunch, happy hour, and dinner five days a week. Hours of operation are scheduled to be 11:00 am – 9:00 pm Monday through Friday. For directions, menus and more, please visit City Social at www.citysocialchicago.com or call 312.888.2968.
About Tavern Collective
Tavern Collective consists of Lake Street Kitchen + Bar in downtown Oak Park, Piggyback Tavern in downtown Forest Park, Randolph Tavern in the theatre district, Jackson Tavern in the Loop, and Madison Tavern at Ogilvie Transportation Center.
from November
BY KAILLEY LINDMAN THRILLIST
NOVEMBER 30, 2025
There will be no bigger roller coaster month than November of 2016 between the World Series and the presidential election. The emotions that rode on both historic events were a topsy-turvy thrill ride. Now that the dust has started to settle, our attention turns to food and booze (as it so often does this time of year). Chicago's dining and drinking scene opened up seven key spots in November including a Found follow up in Evanston and a dive bar revival in Logan Square.
CITY SOCIAL
LOOP
2016's Loop dining renaissance marches on with the arrival of this inviting new bar, where both the food and beverage programs demand to be taken seriously. Belly up to the seemingly endless marble bar for some hard-earned post-work bliss in the form of a frothy glass of craft beer, chorizo poutine laden with Tabasco-spiked gravy, steak tartare crowned with a quail egg, and ahi tuna poke.
. . . . .
After Work, You Go Here Now
There’s Beer, Steak Tartare and a Bar That Has No Business Being As Long As It Is
BY SAM EICHNER URBANDADDY
NOVEMBER 18, 2025
Let’s assume you’ve had a long week.
And that you’d like to end it on a high note.
And that you want your high note to include some cola-braised carnitas tacos.
Great.
Now let’s stop all this assuming business and direct you to City Social Kitchen & Bar.
It’s a comely new tavern in the Loop where you and some other people can unwind over draft beers and a former GT Fish & Oyster chef’s worldly brand of bar food. It’s open now, and this is what it looks like.
The people behind this rather lengthy drinking den—which houses a half-block-long marble bar, ample booths and an open kitchen—are also behind nearby taverns Jackson, Randolph and Madison. You could say they’re well versed in the art of post-work leisure.
So on any given evening not unlike this one, you’ll position yourself at that bar and request a beer or reserve-rum-and-sherry libation. For a snack, maybe go with the quail egg steak tartare or some ahi tuna poke. If you’re in the mood for something heavier, there’s always the chorizo poutine doused with Tabasco gravy.
And there’s your Thanksgiving tie-in.
. . . . .
New City Hall Happy Hour Spot, City Social,
Opens in the Loop
by Ashok Selvam EATER CHICAGO
Nov 17, 2025
Trips to City Hall can be draining downtown, but a new bar/restaurant has opened to give city employees and the folks they work for a place to refuel. It’s called City Social Kitchen & Bar, and it represents an extension of the same formula owner Rachel Dennis has employed at her other Tavern Collective bars which include Randolph Tavern, Madison Tavern, Jackson Tavern.
The formula means a place for work colleagues to gather and catch up or somewhere to comfortably watch sports without being decked out fully in a team’s regalia. There are 14 plasma TVs in the 250-seat space. The bar brings a solid beer list—20 on tap and 20 in bottles/cans—and a comfortable menu of bar food. The cocktail menu consists of 11 drinks including sangria by the glass.
They’ve charged chef Anhuar Pantoja with building the menu, who left Alpana Singh’s The Boarding House where he was chef de cuisine. He was also sous chef at Singh's Seven Lions. The menu covers Mexican flavors, burgers and a healthy amount of seafood items.
Tavern Collective also includes Tapworks Tavern in Greektown, Lake Street Kitchen and Bar in suburban Oak Park and Piggyback Tavern in suburban Forest Park.
City Social Kitchen & Bar, 120 N. LaSalle St., (312) 888-2968, open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays.
. . . . .
Randolph Tavern owner opening
another Loop restaurant
PETER FROST CRAIN'S DINING
November 15, 2025
The team behind a trio of downtown taverns (Randolph, Madison and Jackson) plans to open another bar and restaurant tomorrow that's cut from the same cloth.
City Social Kitchen & Bar, a 250-seat modern American restaurant at 120 N. LaSalle St., has a "please everyone" menu stocked with charcuterie, tacos, burgers, salads and steak. The bar will mix craft cocktails with Chicago-centric names; pour 40 beers, with a focus on local and craft; and serve 30 wines by the glass.
The kitchen, led by chef Anhuar Pantoja (Seven Lions, Boarding House), will feature entrees such as octopus a la plancha with papas bravas; a Brussels sprouts and burrata toast with apple saba and charred radicchio; and a burger topped with poblano peppers, onion and pepper jack cheese.
With wood-planked walls, a long marble bar and floor-to-ceiling windows, the space is in the same mold as owner Tavern Collective's other restaurants, which include Lake Street Kitchen & Bar in Oak Park, Piggyback Tavern in Forest Park and the three downtown-area taverns.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20161115/BLOGS09/161119921/randolph-tavern-owner-opening-another-loop-restaurant
. . . . .
Tavern Collective brings hip new gathering place
to the heart of downtown Chicago
(CHICAGO; November 14, 2025)--Tavern Collective (Randolph Tavern, Jackson Tavern, Madison Tavern) introduces City Social Kitchen & Bar to downtown Chicago at 120 N LaSalle. Directly across the street from City Hall, and steps away from the James R Thompson Center, Cadillac Palace and Oriental theatres, and all major transit, the 250-seat City Social Kitchen & Bar is a hip, urban gathering place serving genuine food, craft beer, elevated cocktails and fine wine in the heart of the Loop.
City Social's kitchen is led by Chef Anhuar Pantoja. During his impressive culinary career, Chef Anhuar has worked for many of Chicago's recognized restaurants including Seven Lions, The Boarding House, and GT Fish & Oyster. A blend of contemporary and classic offerings, City Social offers something for everyone including charcuterie, tacos, specialty burgers, diverse salads, and steak.
Signature items include Octopus a la Plancha with papas bravas, shishito peppers, and chipotle romesco; Crispy Brussels & Burrata toast with brussels sprouts, burrata, apple saba, and charred radicchio; the Green Chili Burger with poblano peppers, onion, and pepper jack on a potato bun; the Flank Steak Sandwich featuring gyro-spiced flank steak with dill crema, red onion, and roasted tomato on ciabatta; Cola Carnitas Tacos featuring cola-braised carnitas with salsa de arbol, cabbage, onion and cilantro; Salmon Marinated Poke or Ahi Tuna Fresh Poke with ponzu, seaweed, black lava salt, and spicy green peas; Little Gem Caesar salad with little gem greens, seared ahi tuna, celery leaf, egg, queso oaxaca fritter, red shisho dressing, and togarashi; and Ancient Grain salad with chickpea, freekeh, quinoa, farro, fennel, pepita, and pumpkin vinaigrette. Vegetarians will be pleased with several options from small plates to entrees. City Social's cuisine is an eclectic mix of multi-cultural dishes, matching the richness and diversity of Chicago. Appetizers range from $9-14, sandwiches from $10-18, and entrees from $14-30.
City Social’s half-block-long marble bar offers over 40 beers—20 on tap—featuring local and craft brews as well as mainstays. The wine list offers both old world and new world, with 30 wines available by the glass. House-crafted cocktails include The LaSalle with reserve rum, sherry, apricot liqueur, and lime; Big Shoulders with St. George Bruto Americano, Journeyman Last Feather Rye, and alessio; and The Blue Line with plum sake, violet liqueur, and plum bitters.
An all-welcoming layout allows guests to choose from a variety of seating options including booths, large group and community tables, bar seating, and traditional tables. The restaurant’s design is relaxed with natural features including a marble bar, wood tables, and wood plank walls. Fourteen large plasma televisions line the half-block long bar for catching games or the latest news. Other design touches include hand-painted street art and the floor-to-ceiling windows are adorned with the lost art of hand-applied gold leaf.
About City Social
This urban kitchen is bustling with power lunches, workday happy hours, dinner, and theatre dining. City Social is located in the heart of downtown Chicago steps away from City Hall, State of Illinois building, Cadillac Palace Theatre, and all major transit. City Social plans to open its doors November 15th and will serve lunch, happy hour, and dinner five days a week. Hours of operation are scheduled to be 11:00 am – 9:00 pm Monday through Friday. For directions, menus and more, please visit City Social at www.citysocialchicago.com or call 312.888.2968.
About Tavern Collective
Tavern Collective consists of Lake Street Kitchen + Bar in downtown Oak Park, Piggyback Tavern in downtown Forest Park, Randolph Tavern in the theatre district, Jackson Tavern in the Loop, and Madison Tavern at Ogilvie Transportation Center.