The 8 new spots you need to know about

Jimmy in River North
Fogelson/Jetel
Fogelson/Jetel

It's been a busy month of chasing around hybrid pastries -- but that doesn't mean we've taken our eye off of the other tastiness popping up around Chicago. In our ongoing effort to keep you fed (and quenched), here are eight new eateries around town worthy of your belly's attention.

FAME bar in Wicker Park

FAME Bar
Wicker Park
Coming on the heels of Gallery Bar in River North, the part-bar, part-art gallery FAME aims to keep your eyeballs occupied with pop art and graffiti murals, as well as your tastebuds with small plates of tuna tartare nachos (served on plantain chips) and bao-bunned BLT’s. Wash it all down with a bacon-fat infused Manhattan or Bloody Mary, because combining pork with booze is truly an art form.

Jimmy in River North
Fogelson/Jetel

Jimmy
River North
Tucked into The James Hotel, adjacent to Burke’s Bacon Bar, Jimmy is a retro cocktail bar with a Soho sibling in NYC. Walnut paneling and beaded curtains convey a '70s atmosphere where you can dip into cocktails like the Dirty Little Secret (vodka, vermouth, Burke’s steak sauce) or the Black Sabbath (bourbon, rosemary syrup, black berries) -- all to be enjoyed with bites like Beef Wellington.

Revel Room in Wicker Park

The Revel Room
Wicker Park
Matt Eisler & Kevin Heisner (Trenchermen) and the Five Star Bar folks have turned the former Empire Liquors space into The Revel Room, a shabby Parisian pub with vinyl booths, Victorian oil paintings, and a back room library (don’t worry, no one will be reading in this bar, the books are wooden). The Bangers & Lace ciccerone has curated an extensive canned beer selection (Oskar Blues, Ballast Point, Half Acre), while cocktails come courtesy of a Bar DeVille vet.

The Refinery in Old Town

The Refinery
Old Town
If you’re searching for a refined restaurant that doesn't require an ascot or monocle, here’s your spot. Help yourself to deviled eggs with bacon and truffles, a short rib burger on homemade brioche courtesy of Chef Lawrence Letrero (Untitled, Tribute), or a chocolate cassava cake from Pastry Chef and Four Seasons alumna Hetty Arts.

Kurah Mediterranean Tapas in the South Loop

Kurah
South Loop
From the owners of South Loop Market, expect brick-oven flatbreads and a spread of hot and cold tapas (fried quail, bacon wrapped dates, rosemary baba ghanoush) to be enjoyed patio-side with a lineup of sparkling wine and craft brews. Male capri pants are optional.

Standard Market Grill in Lincoln Park

Standard Market Grill
Lincoln Park
Migrating from Westmont for their second restaurant, Standard Market is serving up American standards like Ted Nugent the steakhouse burger, which is made with a blend of chuck, brisket, and sirloin on a pretzel bun, with onion rings on the side. Pair it with any of 16 local beers on tap, a Stumptown coffee, or hand-dipped milkshake.

Four Belly in Lakeview

Four Belly
Lakeview
Asian street food abounds at this eatery from the owners of Nori Sushi, ranging from basics like ramen and robata grilled rib eye, to more adventurous choices like spicy basil frogs legs and fried caterpillars, the sum total of which will leave you with One Big Belly.

Travelle in River North
Paul Strabbing

Travelle
River North
Looking to cover every inch of the Mediterranean Sea inside The Langham Hotel, Travelle’s dinner menu has select seafood like brown butter scallops and smoked salmon or, for those who prefer turf, Harissa-spiced beef tartare on bone marrow toast.