Carly Boers

Sep 16, 2024 | chicagomag.com | Carly Boers

328 S. Jefferson St., West LoopPlace of influence: IndiaWhat to drink: Mango matcha, a tropical twist on a matcha latte. Housemade mango syrup and coconut milk bring a tangy creaminess to earthy matcha. What to eat: Butter chicken croissant. The classic dish gets reimagined as a flaky, hearty pastry that combines Indian spices with Burrata for an unexpected fusion. The scene: Flickering votives and lilting Indian music give this newbie the vibe of a polished classic.

Jul 16, 2024 | chicagomag.com | Carly Boers

Though the Oakville Grill & Cellar is a magnet for West Loop office workers, let us not forget it’s a Lettuce Entertain You joint. And for that forward-thinking restaurant group, school-age diners’ palates are no afterthought. Case in point: the tasty and healthy kids’ menu offering of grilled Faroe Islands salmon served with fresh berries and sweet potatoes. My proud pescatarian son feels like royalty when this colorful feast lands in front of him. And it sets me back a mere 10 bucks. Win-win. 163 N.

Apr 24, 2024 | chicagomag.com | Carly Boers

Drip Collective opened in February, but it feels like it’s been part of the West Loop for years. The café has been drawing creative types from the start with its innovative lattes, but that’s only part of the allure: The space also serves as an incubator for Filipino and Black artisans. It’s the second such venture for Francis Almeda, an artist and serial entrepreneur who opened Side Practice Coffee in Lincoln Square in 2020 partly as a way for friends and family to show off their side hustles.

Aug 21, 2023 | chicagomag.com | Carly Boers

Pizza Matta 3211 W. Armitage Ave. Logan Square Hours Perfect order Sausage pizza and apple salad At their restaurants, Jason Vincent and Josh Perlman are all about the intersection of punchy flavors (like Giant’s umami-bomb trout roe tempura) and nostalgia (like the crab Rangoon at Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar, a nod to the American Chinese food of their youth), always carried out with cheffy techniques.

Apr 24, 2023 | chicagomag.com | Carly Boers