In no particular order, here's my 2013 list of Chicago-area dining-out highlights. For places where multiple dishes are listed, that usually means multiple trips were made (but not always) . . .
Food:Liver, Onions & Fried Potatoes, Ezme, Eggplant Salad, Lentil Fingers -
Cafe OrchidSpicy Tendon, Dry Chili Chicken, Mapo Tofu -
Sze Chuan CuisineGuapichosa, Fries, Migas, Chopped Salad -
ScofflawFregola Sarda with cured, bacon-wrapped rabbit loin, Farfalle with north Italian ragu, spaghetti all chitarra with house ricotta-stuffed veal meatballs, Chicken-fried Sweetbreads -
NightwoodFried Belly Clams, Black Sea Bass, Greek Salad -
Boston Fish MarketNaem Khao Thawt, Mushroom Salad, Raw Shrimp, Pad Kra Prow, Jungle Curry, Green Curry with Fish Balls -
Rainbow ThaiWhite Truffle Risotto, Tarte Flambe -
GuildhallTips/Links Combo, Spare Ribs, Beef Ribs -
Ben's BBQNduja, Mortadella Pizzas -
CoalfireLentil Soup, Spanakopitakia, Meatball Sandwich, Sliced Leg of Lamb Sandwich -
PsistariaReno, Kenny Bell, Southern -
RenoArancini -
Forno RossoSoondubu -
Cho JungTaco de Tripas, Longanisa -
La ChaparritaRoasted Eggplant Salad with Raw Shrimp, Grilled Pork Neck Salad, Chou Chi Ground Pork, Wings -
Aroy ThaiFried Chicken, Heart, Gizzards, Jowl, Tongue -
Sumi Robata BarSalmon, Pork Belly & Sausage, Potted Pork, Foie Gras -
MonarchFried Chicken, Fried Fish, little gem salad, shaved vegetable salad -
Parson'sFish Taco, Lomo Taco, Guacamole & Chips -
L PatronMackerel, Porchetta, Short Ribs, Beef Heart Tartare, Plums, Romano Beans, Smoked Arctic Char, Fried Clams, Mussels, Scallops, Broccoli & Burrata, Hashbrowns -
PublicanLinguisa, Octopus, Arroz Gordo, Potstickers, Chilli Clams, Piri Piri Chicken, Sichuan Asparagus, Serradura, Macau Shrimp & Okra, Sesame Jellyfish, Smoked Seafood Escabeche, Chilli Clam, Crazy Squid, Chacuti, Bacon-Egg-Ramp stir-fry, Goan Pomfret Curry -
Fat RiceCaneles -
Bad Wolf CoffeeAvocado Pine Nut, Puree, Trio of Salsas, Yucatan Chicken Soup, Crispy Redfish Tacos, Lamb Chorizo Tacos -
TakitoJeuk Suk Yum So Bok Um (Goat Stew) -
Chun Ju/Golden ChopstickCheesey Corn Fritters -
Big JonesOysters, Frites, Lentils -
Maude's Liquor BarBadou Soul Food Delight, Spicy Salmon Boulette -
Badou Senegalese CuisineBig Fries, Udon Noodles & Crispy Pork, Handmade Shells, Wild foraged Mushrooms, Slow Cooked Pork & Grits, Roasted Duck and Pistachios -
InovasiUni Risotto, Squid Ink Fettucine -
Abigail'sAged Ribeye, Hash Browns, Elote -
Bavette'sSeafood Stew -
Prairie Grass CafeTruffle-Foie Gras Royal-Celery Root, Butternut Squash Soup-White Truffle Cream, Kobe Beef in Two Forms, Vanilla Parfait-Orange Confit -
TruCheddar Burger and Fries -
Wiener & Still ChampionCrispy Black Eyed Peas, Lamb Ribs, Chocolate Ganache/red hen baguette -
Ada StreetMushroom Broth, Smoked Fish Platter (Catch of the Great Lakes), Cellar Aged Carrots and Onions, Duck Tongue/Cider Vinegar, Fallen Leaves & Kidney, Sturgeon & Caviar, Pressed Squab, Potato (Purple Majesty), Hunter's Stew, Marrow Brulee -
Next/The HuntSpecial Duck Course, 60 garnishes, Black Truffle Explosion, Hot Potato -
AlineaLiver Dumpling Soup -
MirabellLobster Chawanmushi -
YushoBeverages:Half-Sweet OGD 114 Old Fashioned, Griffin Elliott's Hot Buttered Rum, Four Roses’ 2013 Limited Edition 125th Anniversary Small Batch Bourbon -
ScofflawTi Punch -
3 Dots & A DashMichelada -
Parson'sWillett 21-year, 101 proof "Eagle" Bourbon Whiskey -
Longman & EagleHouse-Barrel Elijah Craig 12-year Old Fashioned -
Barrelhouse FlatBarrel-Aged Old Money -
Berkshire Room=R=
Same planet, different world