6 IL Restaurants Among The Top 100 In U.S., New Ranking Says

ILLINOIS — Six Chicago restaurants were among OpenTable’s "Top 100" list, which included everything from a Whiskey and Ramen joint in Anchorage, Alaska, to a large pink tavern in Savannah, Georgia, and even an Eiffel Tower-themed eatery overlooking the Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.

The list, released Wednesday, features an updated methodology using OpenTable diner reviews and new metrics, the company said in a news release. It includes some of the hottest, in-demand restaurants in the country.

Here are the restaurants that earned a spot from Illinois.

• Aba, Chicago

Aba is a Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago’s Fulton Market District and incorporates Chef CJ Jacobson’s lighter style of cooking with influences from the Mediterranean, including Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, and Greece. Signature dishes include Smoky Garlic Hummus, Muhammara, Heirloom Crispy Chicken Thigh, Shawarma-Spiced Skirt Steak, Grilled Salmon Kebab, and more.

• Alla Vita, Chicago

Serving a casual, family-style menu, Alla Vita is a place to gather and enjoy comfortable Italian cuisine. Executive Chef Lee Wolen shares his passion for fresh, delicious Italian food made simply with the best ingredients.

• Girl & The Goat, Chicago

Chef Stephanie Izard opened the trendy restaurant in the Fulton Market district of the West Loop in 2010 with the goal of serving a family-style menu of tasty, bold-flavored foods in a fun and lively setting.

• Maple & Ash, Chicago

Maple & Ash is an innovative take on the traditional steakhouse — mixing a modern aesthetic with authentic service to deliver classic wood-fired dishes. With a sumptuous menu crafted by two Michelin-star chef Danny Grant and a wine program named one of "America's Best" by Wine Spectator, Maple & Ash finds a way to celebrate every moment.

• North Pond, Chicago

Located in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, North Pond is inspired by the market with Chef Cesar Murillo utilizing exceptional ingredients at the height of their season. His cuisine reflects the Arts and crafts decor of the dining room - complex layers of subtle craft beneath a simple decorative style.

• Rose Mary, Chicago

Also located in the Fulton Market District, Rose Mary is chef and owner Joe Flamm’s debut restaurant inspired by his Italian heritage and the bold, bright flavors of Croatian cuisine. The boisterous space—named for Flamm’s grandmothers, Mary and Mary Rose, and the herb rosemary, which grows natively along the Italian and Croatian coastlines—offers a seasonal menu of rustic yet refined dishes that encapsulate what Flamm has coined “Adriatic drinking food”.

California and Florida had the highest share of restaurants on the list with 14 and seven, respectively. That includes returning restaurants Bavel and Bestia in Los Angeles, as well as House of Prime Rib and Kokkari Estiatorio in San Francisco.

This year’s list includes restaurants from 63 cities, including Brooklyn, New York; Palm Beach, Florida, and Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Foodies may also recognize some overlap with MICHELIN-starred eateries, such as Lilac in Tampa, Providence in Los Angeles and Girl & the Goat in Chicago.

"This year's Top 100 list features neighborhood gems, hotspots like Bad Roman, MICHELIN-starred venues like Jeune et Jolie, and restaurants new to the list from coast-to-coast," Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, said in a statement. "We also see representation across the culinary spectrum – with cuisines like Mediterranean, French and Japanese included."