Exploring Chicagoland’s New Restaurant Scene

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As the year progresses, three notable restaurant openings have caught attention in the Chicagoland area. These include Da Local Boy in The Loop and Highwood, The Greggory in South Barrington, and The Radicle in Logan Square. Here’s a closer look at what each restaurant offers.

Da Local Boy

Two years after the initial launch on the North Shore, Dianne Antonio and Nate Domingo introduce Da Local Boy to The Loop. This eatery serves Hawaiian-inspired platters offering diners an authentic taste of the islands. The menu features popular items such as pork belly, huli huli chicken, and pulehu short ribs. Smoke fills the air, complementing the scent of traditional island dishes cooked over a char grill.

The new Loop venue, once home to the Asian-Latin fusion restaurant Saucy Porka, opened in April. Hawaiian cuisine in this locale draws from indigenous Polynesian and diverse immigrant food traditions from various parts of the world, including Asia and Europe. For a hearty meal, opt for the OG Plate priced at $19, which combines meats like huli huli chicken and pork belly, alongside rice and creamy macaroni salad. This dish accentuates flavors with an umami shoyu marinade and showcases a firm local food tradition.

Tuna poke bowls are another staple, priced at $18, offering simplicity with bold seasoning atop rice. A unique feature is the use of Hawaiian red clay salt, enhancing the raw fish’s taste. Drinks include Hawaiian Sun juice blends and the tropical “Lava Flow” at the Highwood location, invigorating the taste experience as if being at a Hawaiian resort.

The story of Da Local Boy traces Domingo’s journey from a resort chef in Hawaii, following his wife Antonio to the Great Lakes region during the pandemic. After success with a food truck and their first restaurant in Highwood, the couple expands to bring a taste of home to new locations. The name “Da Local Boy” resonates with their son, Sky, while connecting to Hawaiian roots and culture, offering a genuine sense of home and community.

Address: 335 S. Franklin St., Chicago — 312-423-9957; 320 Green Bay Road, Highwood — 847-748-8715.

The Greggory

The Greggory in South Barrington stands out for its welcoming atmosphere towards families, making it distinct from other high-end steakhouses. At this venue, diners experience a pleasant dining atmosphere facilitated by attentive staff like server Yanni Reglis, who creates a seamless experience for guests of all ages.

Offering halal steaks, such as the 16-ounce wagyu strip, The Greggory fills a niche in the American steakhouse scene that few do, catering to dietary preferences without detracting from the dining experience. The founders — including Gregg Horan, Bill Veremis, and chef José Sosa — aim for more than just another suburban steakhouse; they seek to establish a destination restaurant, much like popular venues in major cities.

The menu features standout dishes like the rich truffle double-baked potato and Gruyere popover rolls. The restaurant balances the grandeur of a massive space with intimate dining areas across its 10,000 square-foot location, ensuring every meal is memorable. Desserts like chocolate praline cake promise a sweet conclusion to any dining experience, echoing the restaurant’s commitment to quality and hospitality.

Address: 100 W. Higgins Road, Unit C1, South Barrington — 847-551-5740.

The Radicle

The Radicle, taking over the old Daisies spot on Milwaukee Avenue, embraces seasonality and sustainable practices with a twist. Executive chef Joe Frillman envisions a blend of Midwestern flavors with Italian coastal influences. Its menu includes items like thin-crust pizzas and a raw bar, presenting itself as a community-focused destination.

Frillman’s culinary direction takes inspiration from Italy’s Adriatic tradition. Dishes like fritto misto offer adventurous tastes, combining shrimp heads and fish skin with accompaniments like saffron aioli for a balanced savor. The rhubarb pizza melds the tartness of rhubarb with guanciale and ricotta, making a standout choice.

The Radicle also links with its sister restaurant, Daisies, through desserts like the chocolate slab pie, ensuring a cohesive dining theme. The cocktail menu aligns with this creative approach, providing intriguing flavors at affordable prices, with the Blue Moon cocktail drawing particular interest for its unique presentation.

Frillman underscores The Radicle’s role as more than a dining venue. With a focus on community interaction, it maintains a family-friendly environment, punctuated by its commitment to transparency via a standard service charge. The upcoming summer menu promises more diverse offerings, enriching its appeal further.