Local Favorite; Grass Fed

Name: Grass Fed
Location: Chicago, IL

What I love about the interior of Grass Fed, a Bucktown/Wicker park steak house, is that the interior steers clear of any typical steakhouse associations. You could almost describe Grass Fed as your girlfriends steakhouse. The script font, bright interior, and topiaries all add a distinctive feminine touch to what has typically always been a masculine concept.

Death Valley's Little Brother

Name: Death Valley's Little Brother Espresso Bar
Location: Ontario, Canada

I love the concept behind DVLB, located in Ontario. Part espresso, whisky and bread cafe, they focus on craft versions of all three.

Faviken

Name: Faviken
Location: Järpen, Sweden

In a rural town in Sweden sits one of the top restaurants in the world. With only twelve seats in the restaurant, you are guaranteed an intimate experience. 

State Bird Provisions

Name: State Bird Provisions
Location: San Francisco

State Bird Provisions, located in the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco, has quickly climbed to the top of restaurant lists due to its innovative menu and serving technique. 

Barista Parlor

Name: Barista Parlor
Location: Nashville, TN

I seem to have a sweet spot for well crafted cafes. 

Maybe it was the years spent behind an espresso machine that gave me my appreciation for the perfectly executed cup. It goes without saying then, that a well-crafted space that encourages this beautiful art form, will always be able to grab my attention.

Barista Parlor is located in Nashville, TN and successfully crafted a space for locals but staying true to their roots. Using only Nashville made products and materials sourced from the area, the details shine.

The custom crafted tables, chairs, stools, lights and shelves all come from local artisans right in the area and add a warmth to the large space. 

The antiques and found object located throughout the space have a curated feel and bring in the Nashville flair while the large pixelated ship artwork enhances the colors of the wood.

Image 1 © TMagazine

Image 2- 5 © Zarna's Runway

Image 6 © Nashville Scene

Virtue Feed & Grain

Name: Virtue Feed and Grain

Location: Alexandria, VA
Design: Cathal & Meshelle Armstrong

With the restaurant's name taken from the buildings original use; a feed house, Virtue converted the warehouse like space into a casual & welcoming neighborhood spot.

Parts & Labour

Name: Parts & Labour
Location: Toronto
Design: Castor Design

Located in an old hardware store, Parts & Labor serves to be an alternative to the typical watering hole offering in Toronto. harvesting ingredients from their rooftop garden and offering art installations and music in the basement, the space is part hipster, part punk-rock.

Plow

Name: Plow
Location: San Francisco

Plow, located in San Francisco, reminds me of the SF wine country. The use of natural materials, natural light, and industrial touches are reminiscent of being out on the farm.

Neptune Oyster

Name: Neptune Oyster
Location: Boston, MA



Located in Boston's North End, Neptune Oyster is a classically detailed oyster bar filled with character.

Local Favorite; The Publican

Name: The Publican
Location: Chicago, IL

One of my favorite spots in Chicago for oysters and meat is hands down, The Publican.

Located in Chicago's booming restaurant scene over in the West Loop, the space is communal and raw which goes perfectly with the food it serves.

Stefano's Fine Food

Name: Stefano's Fine Food Factory (Store)
Location: Kiev, Ukraine
Design: Vladimir Nepiyvoda, Dmitry Bonesko

Located in the Ukraine, Stefano's Fine Food Factory elevates the grocer experience. 

Local Favorite; Ada Street

Name: Ada Street
Location: Chicago, IL

Tucked away in an industrial part of Chicago, Ada street restaurant is a welcome contrast to the gritty urban exterior. You enter through the dimly lit lounge and are guided down a long hall lined with vintage lockers storing the restaurants wine selection. At the end of the hall is additional vintage storage, but this time for their extensive record collection. The dining space opens up from here allowing you to pass by the open kitchen and head chef Zoe at the helm. 

A look at the intimate space;

A wide range of design aesthetics were used but all were kept minimal and comfortable. A banquet wrapped in army blankets flanks the wall with two-top spots in the center. The opposite wall is dominated by their large glass-backed, and well stocked bar. 

 Past the dining room is Ada's great outdoor back patio complete with artificial grass, picnic tables and checkered table clothes. While we were visiting, Ada was featuring a menu focused around the grill and luckily we got to experience some wonderful dishes cooked right outside our table. 

A look at what we ate;

Stuffed zucchini blossom with heirloom tomatoes, foie gras with bing cherries & toasted ciabatta, grilled market flatbread with zucchini, scallop with corn puree and crispy potato, and we ended the night with brioche donuts with port wine caramel.

I would go back for the scallop, flatbread and donuts. The zucchini blossom is always a win but I only wish they could have given two. The foie gras, was good, but served cold which threw me off a bit.

Photos 1&3 © Ada Street Facebook

Photos 2 &4 © Kaper Desgin

Bukowski Grill

Name: Bukowski Grill
Location: London, UK

Located in a retrofitted shipping container, Bukowski Grill is a pop-up burger shop with some great details.