Check, Please! A to Z
Check, Please! producer David Manilow lists his favorite restaurants from Avenues to Zia's.
A is for Avenues because of Curtis Duffy’s amazing creations
B is for Blackbird. Smart. Innovative. Memorable
C is for Cemitas Puebla - I crave Tony’s Taco Arabes
D is for Davanti Enoteca. Smart modern Italian. Also “D” for Danny’s in Melrose Park for their neckbones
When I crave ceviche, snapper & tequila, “E” is for El Barco on Ashland. For fine dining, Everest
F is for Freddy’s Pizza in Cicero. Fantastic food & gelato!
G is for Green Zebra for their amazing veggie menu. For steak lovers, G is for Golden Steer and Gibsons
H is for Honky Tonk BBQ and for the original Heaven on Seven
I is for Isla Pilipina and their amazing Philippine cuisine
J is for John’s Place. John is my brother and his restaurants are the best!
K is for Sensational sushi at Katsu and brilliant burgers at Kuma’s Corner
L is for Lula because they’re unique and excellent. Also old school La Villa
M is for Manny’s with a special mmmmention to Moto and mk
Nom nom nom! N is for Noon-O-Kabab
O how I crave those “sassy eggs”. O is for Over Easy on Damen
P is for the patio at Piccolo Sogno, the pig greatness at the Publican and the pizza at Palermo’s 95th in Oak Lawn
Q is for Quartino. Chef John Coletta’s innovative Italian gem
R is for the underrated Rootstock coupled with the charm of Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant
S is for so many... Sabatino’s, Silver Seafood, Spiaggia, Sweet Maple Cafe, SuperDawg
T is for Tre Kronor. Smart, warm and wonderful. An outstanding breakfast spot and more
U is for Urban Belly and to Bill Kim for pioneering the amazing-chef-lower-cost-food craze in Chicago
V is for Viaggio. Maybe the best calamari in the city and Vie for excellence
W is for Wishbone on Washington. Wonderful, diverse, my favorite place for Thurs porkchop specials
X - I liked Xni-Pec when it was in Cicero. It moved to Brookfield and I haven’t been there yet
On the north side Y is for Yoshi’s café and on the south side is for Yassa
Z is for Zia’s Trattoria In Edison Park simply because I sent President Obama there in 2001
