Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Willow Springs

"The cuisine is a lesson in mastery, but also a blend of modern science and practical magic. Air-filled balloons are edible, senses of taste, touch, smell are tested, mental and emotional boundaries are pushed. The menu, an ever-shifting chameleon, is a reflection of the wizards in the kitchen, led by chef Grant Achatz himself—no two meals are ever alike."

"Like your mom and Wrigley Field, just because they've been around for a while, it doesn't mean they've lost a bit of luster. The Mediterranean-meets-the-Midwest avec has been a Chicago favorite for 16 years despite the hundreds of upstarts that come and go in the West Loop. And with good reason."

"As bourbon drinkers, we are always ready to compare everything we taste to the best of what Kentucky has to offer. 18th Street's Rye and new 3 year Rye..."

"1043 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611 One of Chicago’s most sophisticated Italian eateries, Carmine’s Chicago has a downtown address to complete the luxurious scenery. Head to the terrace to people watch or for a quiet romantic meal with your partner. Carmine’s Chicago serves huge portions of food."

"Carmine’s is a classy restaurant with romantic terrace seating that is in a prime area for people-watching. It serves enormous portions, making it ideal for diners who like to shar..."

"Their teas are made from scratch, and they don’t use any powders, preservatives, or artificial flavors. They also serve the holy trinity: Metropolis Coffee, grilled cheese, and pho – what more do you need?"

"Beacon Doughnuts is a small-batch bakery full of vegan options. After becoming a big hit at Wicker Park Farmer’s Market, the bakery opened a hidden walk-up window in order to help serve their customers safely. While their menu changes day-to-day, their previous offerings include bday cake, Boston cream, blueberry pancake, campfire s’more, orange pistachio, cookies n cream donuts, and more!"

"A lot of places have a few different vegan doughnuts on their menu. But Beacon (a donut shop that’s actually just a takeout window in an alley in Lincoln Park) devotes its entire menu to vegan donuts. You’ll find about 10 to choose from, with flavors ranging from s’mores to birthday cake, and they manage to be light and fluffy."

"Head off the beaten track for this small-batch shop — literally!. Located in an alley off Armitage, Beacon Doughnuts serves up doughnuts in flavors like this orange pistacchio one, blue lavender and vanilla and more out of their instagrammable walk-up window. Highly recommended to pre-order before you go."

"A relative newcomer to the Chicago sushi scene (2010), Wasabi wasted no time becoming a darling among local and out of town visitors. One of only a handful of Japanese-owned Japanese restaurants in Chicago, it also has Executive Head Sushi Chef, Hiromich Sasaki, one of original Japanese sushi chefs in the Chicago area, at the helm. Most places know not to bother trying to appease everyone but Wasabi does and it does it right."

"And if other Japanese small plates make their way into the mix, then all the better. Find these favorites and more at this Logan Square restaurant, where eight kinds of ramen are on offer, from the hakata red (with Berkshire pork belly and scallions) to the spicy roasted garlic miso (complete with a soft-boiled egg). Match them up with other menu-musts, like pork belly buns and Tokyo spicy wings."

"Known for its limestone gatehouse and highly decorated columbarium niches, which are composed of photographs, artwork, flags, and other mementos of individuals whose ashes are stored there, this cemetery, established by Chicago's Czech community in 1877, also features storied mausoleums, stained glass images and a special dedication to Chicago Cubs fans. It's a quieter, welcome alternative to public parks that often draw rambunctious young children."

"Wright designed and built his first home in 1889, on the strength of a $5,000 loan from his then employer and mentor, seminal Chicago…"

"Before even visiting Chicago I knew about the famous stairs of the Rookery Building. If you want to take a picture of them (from the bottom) you’ll need to go on a tour of the building. Since the whole building is amazing, it’s well worth the admission…plus it goes to a good cause."

"Source: Photo by user Esther Westerveld used under CC BY 2.0. One of the finest building in the United States, the Rookery Building is an absolute architectural treat. The interior light court maximizes the natural light entering the building."