Your 2010 Time Out Chicago "Eat Out" Awards Mock Ballot

All the \"Best New Restaurant\" nominees are worthy candidates, but the Purple Pig has exceeded the hype in a part of town noted as a dead zone for fine dining. Reader \"salaboutme\" says of Rootstock, \"the causal and artsy atmosphere combined with the richness of the cheese plates and sumptuous charcuterie, made for a gloriously relaxing yet indulgent evening.\" \<a href=\"http://chicagoist.com/2009/10/23/local_chef_takes_over_at_c-house.php\"\>Anthony\'s visits to C-House after Nicole Pederson took over the kitchen\<\/a\> made him a convert.

Kith & Kin is receiving almost as much hype as the Purple Pig and we hope to have a review forthcoming. Todd Stein set tongues wagging with his Italian fare at Cibo Matto in the Wit Hotel; it is goooooood. I was going to recommend Hoosier Mama solely on the basis of their savory hand pies, but \<a href=\"http://chicagoist.com/2009/07/07/review_more_cupcakes_1.php\"\>Anthony\'s review of more\<\/a\> swings the vote in their favor. Paul McGee of the Whistler would get our nod even if he didn\'t make \<a href=\"http://chicagoist.com/2009/06/01/properly_sauced_the_chicagoist_cock.php\"\>a cocktail named after this very site\<\/a\>. XOCO is worth the wait for the churros alone. Megan found La Farine to be \"\<a href=\"http://chicagoist.com/2009/12/17/la_farine_a_necessary_indulgence.php\"\>a necessary indulgence\<\/a\>.\" the best wine store was our toughest selection, but Drinks Over Dearborn wins out because of its speakeasy vibe, even when it isn\'t \<a href=\"http://chicagoist.com/2009/05/12/speakeasy_over_dearborn.php\"\>dressing up as one\<\/a\>.

Note that we withheld endorsing a vegetarian restaurant. That\'s \'cause we can\'t give you an informed opinion on any of the nominees. However, if Karyn\'s on Green is serving the same food \<a href=\"http://chicagoist.com/2008/12/04/belated_national_vegan_month_karyns.php\"\>Anthony found lacking at their Lincoln Park flagship\<\/a\>, let us know. Christine McCabe at Epic wins a nail biter over one sixtyblue\'s Hillary Blanchard. West Town Tavern\'s fried chicken special has been a long time favorite here at Chicagoist, even more than their \<a href=\"http://chicagoist.com/2008/03/06/comfort_food_an.php\"\>potato chips\<\/a\>. While XOCO gets all the press, its focus on tortas, sopas and churros doesn\'t compare to the range of food at Chilam Balam. Edzo\'s in Evanston is the vanguard of \<a href=\"http://chicagoist.com/2009/09/30/edzos_to_bring_good_burgers_to_evan.php\"\>a movement in burgers\<\/a\> away from the monster burgers of Kuma\'s. One of the many reasons the Purple Pig it the most talked about opening in the past three months is its late night kitchen. We haven\'t formally reviewed Jam yet. But \<a href=\"http://chicagoist.com/2009/03/16/chicagoist_food_pr0n_brunch_at_the.php\"\>we can vouch for the Publican\'s brunch\<\/a\>.

With all dues respect to Carly Fisher, Audarshia Townsend and the Gluttons, Mike Gebert brings the perfect storm of passion, journalistic skills and a steady hand with a camera to make Sky full of Bacon a must-read. Gebert adds, \"Every minute not spent eating or thinking about bacon is, to me, a\r\nwasted minute on this earth. Therefore, no matter how fine those\r\nother blogs are, there is only one right answer. The charcuterie at mado is so good it\'s nearly killed me. Twice. Big Star\'s pork belly tacos are worth the long lines around the bar.