Recently opened (too new to review)

NEW Artists Café A South Loop outpost of the iconic Michigan Avenue diner. 1150 S Wabash Ave (312-583-9940). Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average main course: $8.

Baume & Brix Thomas Elliott Bowman and Ben Roche, both alumni of Homaro Cantu restaurants, are going for “internationally inspired modern cuisine” at this River North spot. 351 W Hubbard St (312-321-0351). Dinner (closed Sun). Average main course: $17.

NEW BEL 50 No matter if the filling is savory or sweet, the sandwiches at this shop always use waffles as the bread. 738 N Clark St (312-202-0600). Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average sandwich: $8.

NEW The Big Cheese Another restaurant dedicated to grilled cheese. Booze coming soon. 4229 N Lincoln Ave (773-661-6993). Breakfast (Sat, Sun), lunch, dinner. Average sandwich: $6.

Bountiful Eatery Wraps, salads and smoothies—all of it gluten-free. 3312 N Broadway (773-687-9811). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $9.

Brasserie 54 by LM The latest outpost of LM (in the former Premise space) offers French standards in a bar setting. 5420 N Clark St (773-334-9463). Brunch (Sat, Sun), lunch (Mon–Fri), dinner. Average main course: $14.

Chuck’s Manufacturing A restaurant optimized for business lunches and working-while-eating-solo. 224 N Michigan Ave (312-334-6700). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $20.

Dat Bar-B-Q Traditional Chicago barbecue—hot wings, rib tips, etc.—served late by the folks behind Dat Donut. 8247–51 S Cottage Grove Ave. Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $9.

Bistro Dre Chef André Christopher changed the name of his new BYOB spot from Flour & Water. 2965 N Lincoln Ave (773-697-9067). Brunch (Sat, Sun), lunch (Tue–Fri), dinner (Tue–Sat). Average small plate: $13.

Gaslight Coffee Roasters Owners Tristan Coulter and Zak Rye upgrade the classic coffee shop by roasting beans on-site and serving Smoking Goose charcuterie. 2385 N Milwaukee Ave. Mon–Fri 7am–10pm; Sat 8am–11pm; Sun 9am–5pm. Average cup of coffee: $2.50.

Hamachi Sushi Bar Certified kosher sushi in West Rogers Park. 2801 W Howard St (773-293-6904). Lunch (Mon–Fri), dinner (Mon–Thu, Sat, Sun). Average maki: $12.

Home Style Taste This Bridgeport restaurant serves Chinese food both Americanized (sesame chicken) and not (Chinese pancakes, stewed beef with noodles). 3205 S Halsted St (312-949-9328). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $10.

NEW Interurban This take-out-only bakery from pastry chef Christine McCabe focuses on “cake bites” (a.k.a. cake balls) and morning buns. 2008 N Halsted St, rear (773-698-7739). Mon–Fri 7am-6pm; Sat, Sun 10am–4pm. Average baked good: $2.

Jackalope Coffee & Tea House Bridgeport’s new coffeehouse serves Metropolis coffee and bacon buns from Bridgeport Bakery. 755 W 32nd St (312-888-3468). Mon–Fri 6:30am–7:30pm; Sat 7am–7pm; Sun 8am–6pm. Average cup of coffee: $2.

Jerry’s Sandwiches The second location of Jerry’s has all the same sandwiches as the first. But this location has a lot more beer. 5419 N Clark St (773-796-3777). Lunch, dinner. Average sandwich: $11.

Karamela Coffee, crêpes, sandwiches, salads, pastries and soft serve (naturally, right?) in the South Loop. 1250 S Michigan Ave (312-322-0400). Mon–Fri 7am–10pm; Sat, Sun 8am–9pm. Average sandwich: $7.

La Sirena Clandestina Chef John Manion’s long-awaited Brazilian restaurant. 954 W Fulton Mkt (312-226-5300). Dinner. Average main course: $16.

Lao Ma La Tony Hu’s Chinatown empire expands with this skewer and kabob–focused joint, serving popular Chinese street-food dishes that don’t shy away from spice. 2017 S Wells St (312-225-8989). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $10.

Lao Sze Chuan Tony Hu’s satellite operation of his first restaurant is located in the former Marigold space in Uptown and features the original’s menu with some additional specials from the chef. 4832 N Broadway (773-293-4653). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $12.

The Lazy Parrot of the Caribbean The brother of the owner of Bucktown’s Cafe Laguardia opened this somewhat more casual Cuban spot a few blocks away. 2257 W North Ave (773-227-5299). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $13.

Le Cafe Panini, pastries and lots of coffee to go with it. 4655 N Lincoln Ave (773-878-2233). 8am–8pm. Average sandwich: $8.

Local Root At this eco-conscious eatery, the breads are housemade, and the charcuterie, cheeses and beers are local. 601 N McClurg Ct (312-643-1145). Breakfast, brunch (Sat, Sun), lunch, dinner (Mon–Sat). Average sandwich: $11.

Maid-Rite The first Chicago-proper outpost of the Midwestern loose-meat sandwich chain. 2429 N Lincoln Ave (773-687-9250). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $5.

Meatheads A small burger chain with locations in the suburbs stakes its claim to the city. Of interest: coffee milkshakes with chocolate sprinkles. 3304 N Western Ave (773-525-5300). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $6.

Oliver’s Cafe Oliver Valenzuela’s Bridgeport restaurant serves eclectic dishes like cinnamon-braised beef tenderloin and a dessert egg roll. 451 W 31st St (312-791-1230). Dinner (closed Mon). Average main course: $14.

Senza You thought the discussion about gluten was fading? Well, this entirely gluten-free restaurant is keeping the conversation going. 2873 N Broadway (773-770-3527). Breakfast (Mon–Fri), lunch (Tue–Fri), dinner (Tue–Sat). Average main course: $28.

NEW Wrigley BBQ All the usual barbecue suspects (brisket, pulled pork, baby back ribs), plus sides such as maple-whipped sweet potatoes. 3555 N Broadway (773-472-1227). Dinner (closed Mon). Average main course: $10.