- This French-ish restaurant from the family behind the Bucktown favorite Le Bouchon seems to have won over everyone with its inventive dishes such as a foie gras taco, and has been on seemingly every best new restaurant list in Chicago. - Sepia has been a perennial contender for James Beard Awards in several categories.
The Michelin-starred West Loop restaurant has garnered nods for everything from Outstanding Service to Outstanding Wine to Best Chef: Great Lakes for current chef Andrew Zimmerman, although it hasn't been on the list since 2018. Perhaps this is its year to finally win one, beyond a 2008 win in the now-defunct category Outstanding Restaurant Graphics. - This West Loop wine bar/shop/cheese spot/casual cafe focuses on unusual natural wines, and is a first-time nominee.