Time Out Takes Notice of Local Eateries

The end of the year beckons "Best of" reports when it comes to anything from photographs to customer service.

We'll be the first to admit that not all lists are worth a look. But this one is. Time Out Chicago recently released—a tad early, this year—its 100 Favorite Things we Ate or Drank in 2012 rundown. , but so did other North Side neighborhoods.

Be sure to visit Time Out for a printable wish list that includes every nugget that made the cut.

Until then, we've plucked out the Lincoln Square, Northcenter and Ravenswood (just for the heck of it) foods that ranked, along with comments from Time Out food reviewers, Julia Kramer, Heather Shouse and David Tamarkin. Bon appétit!

Northcenter

Half Acre Beer Company, 4257 N. Lincoln Ave.

• Big Hugs
  • Comments: "Even stout superfans struggle with sucking down thick, creamy, inky-black Imperial stouts in summer, but come cooler weather, there are few better beers to drink. Hence, Half Acre limits this big badass to holiday availability (look for it by December 15), slapping on oddly festive labels such as a gigantic cat ravaging the North Pole."

Ravenswood

Julius Meinl Patisserie, 4115 N. Ravenswood Ave.

• Krapfen
  • Comments: "If Doughnut Vault’s glazed treats are the prom queens, these under-the-radar, puffy, yeasted doughnuts (with seasonal fillings like raspberry jam and apple butter) are the awkward indie girls in the corner who no one pays attention to. Guys, notice her, she is so beautiful when she takes off her glasses!"

Ravenswood

Monti’s, 4757 N. Talman Ave.

• Jumbo buffalo wings
  • Comment: "Chef James Gottwald and wife Jennifer Monti’s neighborhood spot is an homage to Philly, so, um, no one tell them the origin of these impressively meaty wings."

Lincoln Square

Goosefoot, 2656 W. Lawrence Ave.

• Chestnut-mushroom soup
  • Comment: "Between the scent of truffles and the creamy chestnut flavor, this soup bespeaks richness and luxury. Yet adorned with a few delicate crudités over celery-root puree, it’s just as much a display of chef Chris Nugent’s delicate, restrained sensibility."

Northcenter

Big Bricks, 3832 N. Lincoln Ave.

• BBQ chicken
• Comment: "We never anticipated going to the new location of this thin-crust pizza spot for barbecue…until we tried the juicy, pleasantly smoky chicken from the wood-burning Oyler smoker."