As with practically all businesses at this time, restaurants are fighting to survive—and have had to adapt by, among other things, getting creative with curbside/delivery offerings since dine-in service is currently shuttled. This list continues what was in the April 29 issue, covering a variety of cuisines and locations:
—Brass Heart: The Uptown restaurant is offering virtual group dining starting Friday, May 15. There will be a four-course tasting menu ( with items such as potato gnocchi, pan-roasted monkfish, duck breast and white chocolate blondie )—and a meet-and-greet with Chef Matt Kerney via Zoom. The cost will be $85/person ( and groups of eight or more are encouraged ); email brassheartchicago@gmail.com or call 773-564-9680 to place orders.
—Brasserie Jo: Working out of the Osteria Via Stato space in River North, French spot Brasserie Jo has returned after being closed for a decade, The Chicago Tribune reported. Through Saturday, May 23, there will be collection of favorites ( carrots a la Jo, green asparagus soup, shrimp bag 2020 a la B. Jo, chocolate mousse and a French baguette ) for $27.95/person ( pre-paid pickup for parties of two to four people ). Dinners can be ordered, via Tock; orders must be placed by 1 p.m. the day of pickup.
—Demera Ethiopian restaurant: Listed under GrubHub, Demera has an enticing selection of African dishes, including kayseer salata ( beet salad ), ye-beg wot ( spicy stewed lamb ), beef sambussa ( which requires people to be 21 to order ) and even Ethiopian-style tiramisu.
—The Purple Pig: Chef Jimmy Bannos Jr.'s Michigan Avenue spot has the Greek Feast for delivery ( on Tock ) and pickup. The feast consists of roasted Greek chicken, Greek lasagna, Greek salad with gigantic beans, and baklava. Prepaid delivery for parties of one through 20 is required.
—TAO Chicago: Items at this esteemed River North spot are available for curbside pickup and delivery ( via Grubhub, Uber Eats, DoorDash or Postmates ) Wednesdays through Sundays at 4-9 p.m. Available items include Chilean sea bass satay, lobster wontons, triple pork-fried rice, Shanghai fried rice, filet mignon pepper steak and the ever-popular giant fortune cookie, among other things. ( BTW, guests who call TAO at 224-888-0383 for pickup will receive a 10-percent discount. )
—Chicago Waffles: Of course, people don't just order dinner. Chicago Waffles ( which has two Loop locations ) has a nice selection of offerings, such as red-velvet waffle, the Steak Skillet Breakfast, the Beny Breakfast ( with two poached eggs and hollandaise sauce, along with potatoes and fruit ), biscuits and gravy, and much more.
—Blind Faith Cafe: Available on Caviar, DoorDash, Seamless and Grubhub, this Evanston spot serves vegetarian and vegan fare as well as baked goods. Items include spicy fried Brussels sprouts, warm onion Gruyere tart, flautas, quinoa salad bowl, Thai peanut noodles and barbecue seitan sandwich.
—Victory Italian: This River North restaurant is famed for its sizable meatballs, but it has so much more. Try the Elmwood Park pizza ( 10-inch pizza with red sauce, mozzarella, Italian sausage, Italian beef and hot giardiniera ); fried calamari; brick chicken; eggplant stack; or agnolotti pasta stuffed with ricotta, parmesan and bacon in a sage butter sauce—the 2018 People's Choice Bacon Fest Winner.
—Lark Chicago: This Boystown restaurant has its wide variety of comfort items available for pickup and delivery. Choose items such as chipotle lime chicken sandwich, pesto arancini, the Lark Smash Burger, the cheeseburger pizza, pulled pork mac 'n cheese and the Ghiradelli chocolate-chip cookies.
—Mott Street Chicago: The spot ( at 1401 N. Ashland Ave. ) that some consider to have the best burger in Chicago is open for pickup/delivery Thursdays through Sundays at noon-9 p.m. Yes, the Mott Burger is still here ( with or without egg )—but there are also selections such as kimchi udon, crispy wings, Thai-style "papaya salad," grilled cauliflower, five-spice ribs and the bi bim bop rice bowl.
See Part I at www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/SAVOR-Culinary-spots-to-consider-for-delivery-pickup/68442.html .
