2 Chicago Spots Made Esquire's Best New Restaurants List

By Anthony Todd in Food on Oct 18, 2017 3:55PM

Photo via Facebook.

The accolades keep coming for Chicago—which isn't surprising, because we're pretty much the best. In amongst the news of all the recent restaurant closings, it's nice to see at least a few spots thriving and getting national attention.

Esquire magazine released its 2017 list of the best new restaurants in America. Of the 18 that made the list, two are in Chicago: Kitsune and Roister.

Somehow, given how awesome it is, I always manage to forget that Roister is only a year and a half old; I was shocked to see it on a list of "best new" restaurants and had to check the opening date. The attention is well deserved. This less formal outpost of the Alinea empire has charmed me on all visits, and at least one trip has been one of my best restaurants of this year. From the best roast chicken in town to the gorgeous hearth-based dining counter, Roister is a total hit, and Chef Andrew Brochu should be proud. Roister also made it on to Food & Wine's list of best restaurants earlier this year.

Kitsune is a bit of a surprise. It hasn't made its way onto many local best-of lists, possibly because it had a mixed opening. My earliest visit was a mess, though rumor has it that things have much improved recently. Esquire was clearly impressed, calling Chef Iliana Regan "one of the most creatively distinctive chefs in America." This listing is enough to get me back in the restaurant very soon.