Time Out Chicago - The Eat Out Awards
By L. Stolpman in Food on Apr 7, 2009 6:45PM
We attended the Time Out Chicago Eat Out Awards last night at the Cultural Center. Man, that Tiffany dome looks great. Kicked off by host Stephanie Izard, the awards began with the Critics' picks before finishing the night with the readers' choices. We sat at a table next to Martial Noguier and his wife and boy, talk about a couple in love. They exchanged a sweet kiss between smiles and applause. Pretty cute.
Anyway, the quick and dirty list of winners.
Critics' Picks
- Promo King: Rodney Alex from Juicy Wine Company
- Urban Oasis: the patio at Piccolo Sogno
- Please Don't Go: The Charleston
- Best Revival Act: Martial Noguier (formerly at One SixtyBlue, now at Cafe des Architectes)
- Comeback Kid: Ryan Poli for his return to Perennial
- Best Elbow Rubbing: the outdoor, communal tables at Duchamp
- Best Way to Use Your Noodle: Bill Kim of Urban Belly
- Best Place to Ogle Women: Big Chicks
- The Bigfoot: Lyle Allen of Green City Market
- Proof that Evolution Exists: The Coffee Studio
- Best Extra Value Meal: The Bristol
- Viagra Award for Staying Power: Club Lago
- The Blog You Can Trust: The L2O blog (where you can see some pictures by lstolpman!)
- The Most Unpretentious Pretentious Bar: The Whistler
- Lifetime Achievement: Henry Bishop, former sommelier for Spiaggia. He passed away earlier this year and his widow accepted the award. She was quite charming.
Readers' Choice
- Best Brunch: Lula Cafe
- Best Italian: Mia Francesca
- Best Middle Eastern: Chickpea
- Best vegetarian: Mana Food Bar
- Best tapas: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
- Best Frozen Yogurt: Berry Chill
- Best thin-crust pizza: Spacca Napoli
- Best burger: Kuma's Corner
- Best Loop lunch: Epic Burger
- Best beer bar: Hopleaf
- Best Barbecue: Smoque
- Best Thai: Sticky Rice
- Best corner tap: Small Bar (in Logan Square)
- Best new bar: Angels and Kings
- Best new restaurant: The Publican