After doing some quick accounting, I realized that I have been to Chicago 6 times – 4 times for work and 2 times for pleasure. Obviously, all those times I had to do my standard hunt for great dinner spots! The only thing that makes the long convention center days bearable are the meals at the end of the day! This March, during my latest visit, I was lucky enough to have 3 incredible dinners in Chicago. 

Rose Mary 
Located in West Loop, Rose Mary is a mixture of Chef/Owner Joe Flamm’s Italian heritage and the bold flavors of Croatia. The dining space is incredibly open and welcoming. The dining room staff were very nice and friendly, and the food was fantastic. My favorite had to be the Tuna Crudo, which was fresh and so vivid. The Grilled Clams were best soaked with their house made complimentary sourdough bread. 

Jeong 
Opened by Chef Dave Park and his wife Jen Tran, Jeong offers a modern interpretation of traditional Korean flavors by combining traditional Korean ingredients with contemporary techniques. Jeong serves an 8 course tasting menu for $150 per person. The tasting menu guides diners through a progression of flavors, with 6 savory courses, followed by 2 sweet courses. 

I had an incredible experience at Jeong. My favorite courses were the Salmon Tartare, the Seared Scallop, and the Jimmy Red Corn Grits. The Salmon Tartare was extremely fresh and the yuza really gave it a pop. The scallop was cooked absolutely perfectly, and paired very well with the spinach namul and trout roe. And well, I’m always a sucker for corn grits and this one came with duck confit! 

The service was absolutely amazing. No notes, everyone was fantastic, whether it was my waitress or anyone who was helping her with service. Throughout the night, Jen honestly made my experience at Jeong so memorable. She was so friendly, so personable, and just really made me feel at home despite the fact that I was dining in a very clearly romantic spot by myself.

Mariscos San Pedro 
Mariscos San Pedro is a Mexican seafood restaurant that offers a diverse menu featuring both raw and cooked seafood dishes. I had come in with a sort of game plan, but my waiter ended up talking me into more food than I had originally planned. My favorites were the Tuna Tostada and the Shrimp Gobernador Taco. Their Shrimp Gobernador actually earned the “Taco of the Year” award in 2024! The Tuna Tostada was fresh, vibrant, and flavorful. The Shrimp Gobernador Taco was so tasty – essentially grilled cheese with shrimps and then thrown into a corn tortilla. I would order a whole order of this next time. The flan was very good – very jiggly, but also I loved the passion fruit sauce on top. I love the contrast between the tartness of the passion fruit and the sweetness of the flan itself.