One counter, 12 seats, and a story to tell. At C.12, I honor my Lebanese upbringing with an intimate counter-dining experience. Our menu celebrates the flavors of Lebanon, cooked with the same fire, simplicity, and love I grew up with.This winter, C.12 offers a smaller seasonal à la carte menu — inspired by the food that raised me, shaped me, and continues to spark my passion.
OLIO E PIÙ brings Italian tradition and true sense of Mediterranean liveliness to the vibrant neighborhood in Chicago.As an authentic trattoria, its cuisine is based on classic Italian dishes. As you dine at OLIO E PIÙ, you’ll be transported not just by the flavors of Italy but also by the authentic atmosphere that surrounds you. It’s a place where time slows down, and conversations flow freely, just as they do in a true Italian household. Here, the spirit of 1970s Italian elegance lives on, and every meal is a celebration of life, love, and the joy of shared moments, especially with the open kitchen concept.OLIO E PIÙ is more than just a restaurant; it’s a portal to a different time and place, where the essence of Italy’s rich culinary and cultural heritage is captured in every detail.*Please note that kitchen hours may differ.
Gaijin by Chef Paul Virant is Chicago’s first okonomiyaki restaurant, offering both Hiroshima and Osaka styles of the savory Japanese pancake. A self-described gaijin, or “outsider” in Japanese, Virant playfully embraces this perspective and honors traditional preparations and techniques, as well as his well-known passion for pickling and preserving. Designed to deliver a lively and interactive culinary experience, the 60-seat space is anchored by a custom 12-foot griddle and chef’s counter and offers individual Hiroshima teppan griddles for table service.The dessert menu features kakigori, a shaved ice dessert, along with mochi donuts and other Japanese-inspired treats. The bar program showcases highballs and a focused selection of beer – including a Moody Tongue-Gaijin collaboration house lager, sake, Japanese whisky, and wine.We can’t wait to see you at Gaijin!
John’s Food & Wine is a chef-owned restaurant in Chicago’s Lincoln Park from chef-owners Adam McFarland and Tom Rogers. The cooking is seasonal, modern American with a big focus on vegetables, pristine seafood, handmade pastas, and dry-aged meats. John’s is a MICHELIN-recognized restaurant with a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and praise from local and national press. The wine list leans toward small producers, thoughtful grower Champagne, and bottles meant to be enjoyed, not just collected. Close to Lincoln Park Zoo, Oz Park, DePaul’s campus, and Steppenwolf Theatre, it’s an ideal stop before or after exploring the neighborhood. The room is bright and intimate with a long marble bar, open kitchen, and relaxed, genuinely engaged hospitality.
