Jobless recovery? Douple dip? Stagflation? It's anyone's guess as to whether the recession is officially over or not. But, I think we could all stand to save a few bucks these days. In my opinion, the best way to enjoy Chicago dining without going broke is to choose a BYOB restaurant. So this week, I bring you some of my favorites. Enjoy!
Pizza Rustica: This no-frills Wrigleyville gem serves up some of the best Italian food in town. The tiny, simple, and always crowded dining room is an inviting place to stuff yourself with fresh pastas and authentic Venetian-style pizzas. The potato rosemary pizzawith paper-thin potato slices, plenty of fresh rosemary and a thick layer of lightly-browned mozzarellais heaven in pizza form. You can get a slice of any of the pizzas for $2.50come on! And the gnocchi at this place is, hands down, the best in the worldlittle pillowy pockets of potato goodness. One night I asked the owner where he got his gnocchi, and he actually told me. But, sadly, I was too drunk on four-cheese sauce to remember when I left. Bonus: The waiters and waitresses are all sexy Italians. I'm just saying. What to bring: A full-bodied Chianti ( and an empty stomach! ) . Pizza Rustica is at 3913 N. Sheridan; call 773-404-8955 or visit www.pizzarusticachicago.com .
M Henry: The only thing better than brunch at M Henry is brunch at M Henry with mimosas that don't cost eight dollars each! There's basically nothing not to love about this Andersonville favorite ( except the fact that the place is crawling with queers, meaning there is a high probability of running into an ex on any given Sunday, but that is what the mimosas are for ) . A lineup of egg dishes stuffed with upscale ingredients like goat cheese, gruyere, shallots, leeks and fresh thyme makes it hard to choose. And let's be real, you cannot go to M Henry without ordering Bliss Cakes. Lucky for you, I have unlocked the solution to the perennial brunch dilemma: sweet or savory? At M Henry you can have both because these geniuses offer half orders of the bliss cakes! Done and done. What to bring: A few of your besties and a couple of bottles of cheap sparkling wineno need to use champagne when you're mixing with orange juice. M Henry is at 5707 N. Clark; call 773-561-1600 or visit www.mhenry.net/ .
Hama Matsu: I've got two words for you: fried sushi. I'm not kidding you, among all of the usual sushi suspects like spicy tuna, California and Philadelphia, there is a deep-fried roll with crab meat and smoked salmon. Her name is Claudia and I love her. Hama Matsu has a bunch of other creative sushi selections, like the Snow White ( white fish tempura, white tuna, pineapple cream sauce ) and the Rambo ( deep-fried unagi inside and out, tamago, kanpyo, avocado, crabmeat ) . I'm not going to say the service or the atmosphere at Hama Matsu is the best you'll ever find, but the sushi is fresh and fun. What to bring: Well, sake is the obvious choice, but I like my raw fish with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Or, since you won't be paying a restaurant mark-up, splurge on a nice bottle of bubbly, which really is the best companion for sushi. Hama Matsu is at 5143 N. Clark; call 773-506-2978 or visit www.hamamatsuchicago.com .
Mixteco: If you can ever get a table at this Lakeview hot spot, you're in for a treat. Expect Mexican classics with a few inventive twists and subtle upgrades ( i.e., the fish tacos are made with tilapia instead of some white mystery fish ) . The garlicky wood-grilled mahi-mahi in green mole with white beans and fennel and the black tiger shrimp in a creamy chipotle sauce with chopped cilantro are a couple of stand outs. The carne asada is a tender and spicy, and the ceviche is fresh and tangyboth good bets. What to bring: A frozen margarita maker may be a bit cumbersome to transport. Opt instead for pre-mixed margaritas or sangria, or if you're hard core, a bottle of Patron and some limes. Mixteco is at 1601 W. Montrose; call 773-868-1601 or visit mixtecogrill.com .
Terragusto: No discussion of BYOB dining in Chicago would be complete without mentioning Terragusto. I've been swooning and gushing over this place since it opened a few years ago. Northern Italian cuisine made with the freshest local, organic and seasonal ingredients you can get unless you live on a farm. Start with the smformato, a warm vegetable custard with basil pesto and pecorino. Then settle into course after course of cured meats and artisan cheeses, homemade pasta, and fresh whole fish with seasonal vegetables and out-of-this-universe baked polenta. Get the most out of your Terragusto experience by ordering a few dishes from each section of the menu and enjoying them family style. End your evening with the honey panna cotta with minted berry salad. Terragusto opened a second location in Lincoln Park with a full bar, but honestly, why would you go there when you can BYO in Roscoe Village? What to bring: You're going to be here for a while, so you'll need two bottles. I suggest a Prosecco and a crisp Pinot Grigiooh, and you're Amex gold card, because even without liquor charges, Terragusto can get pretty pricy. Terragusto is at 1851 W. Addison; call 773-248-2777or visit terragustocafe.com/index.html .
Want to know what I'm eating and what I think about it between my Sugar & Spice columns? Follow my adventures in dining on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SugarAndSpiceMS.