How many parts of the globe can you taste from Forest Park? There are many destinations that can whet your appetite for eating adventure, no passport required.
CHINA
Chinese Dragon 2,
7600 Madison Street, serves up a vast menu that brings the food of a country of 1.4 billion people to the American plate. Egg foo young, moo shu pork, sesame chicken go along with Thai and Vietnamese offerings.
IRELAND
O’Sullivan’s Public House, 7244 Madison Street, packs a punch with both a full bar and full menu. They’ve got the bar food you are expecting, as well as regular specials. You gotta try the fish and chips!
ITALY
Caffe de Luca, 7427 Madison Street, says they are a taste of Venice. Seafood, steaks, pasta and more are great inside, but rooftop terrace dining for Sunday brunch is divine.
Piacere Mio, 7636 Madison Street, puts the focus on Sicilian dishes. Pillowy gnocchi with chicken, asparagus and sundried tomatoes are touched with truffle cream. Desserts are special too.
Jimmy’s Place, 7411 Madison Street, is the home cooking that you never had the luck of having at home. Pizza is tavern-style with crunchy crust (and offered in a gluten-free version.)
Di’Vino, 1527 S. Harlem Avenue, comes from the minds that created La Parra. Coastal European is the menu’s promise. Linguine Alla Di’Vino combines shrimp and mushrooms with bacon and garlic cream.
JAPAN
Happy Izakaya, 7230 Madison Street, is upstairs when you enter Habrae. The cheerful sushi bar captures a street scene in Tokyo. Donburi are sushi rice covered in meat or veggies simmered in sauce.
White Crane, 819 S. Harlem Avenue, touts creative Thai and sushi, so it could be under either flag. Try hamachi carpaccio: yellow tail sushi pieces, layered with ponzu, jalapeno, olive oil and chili sauce.
JORDAN
Petra Falafel, 7314 Madison Street, serves falafel of course, but also a wide range of Mediterranean specialties: shawarma, kebabs, kafta, lentil soup. Roasted eggplant meets its pinnacle in baba ghanoush.
MEXICO
NRebozo, 7403 Madison Street, sets a first-class ticket vibe with flights of moles, made in-house with several unique recipes. Squash blossom mole is a seasonal favorite.
Cactus Grill, 315 S. Harlem Avenue, stakes its reputation on authentic flavors, but it is in on the trends too. Case in point: quesabirria, slow-cooked shredded meat is shrouded in melted cheese.
Chirrion, 7510 Madison Street, pours on the atmosphere with featured drinks like micheladas, mojitos, margaritas, palomas and sangrias. A breakfast menu (really a brunch menu) tempts the tastebuds.
Macho’s Grill, 7300 Roosevelt Road, makes their tortillas in-house, so they are slightly thicker than the ones you buy in grocery stores, but diners say that just brings out the favor.
Mexican Republic Kitchen & Cantina, 7404 Madison Street, offers an extensive menu that can cover vegetarian and vegan eaters. The atmosphere inside makes you feel like you are dining on a vibrant street in Mexico.
Tacabron, 7330 Harrison Street, has menu standouts like huaraches, which is a fabulous street food: masa in a boat-shape that is filled with your choice of meats or veg, then grilled to crispy perfection.
THAILAND
Habrae, 7230 Madison Street, reaches for authenticity. There is a full menu, often featuring seasonal treats, but dessert is where the action is at: mango sticky rice, taro custard cake, banana dumplings and more.
Yum Thai, 7330 Madison Street, makes a point of choosing the freshest ingredients, and making the healthiest twists on traditional dishes. Kao soy combines soft and crunchy noodles in a creamy yellow curry.