A spiny coral spider crab shell arrives perched over saffron-simmered bomba rice, hiding something even better beneath it. Asador Bastian’s Spider Crab Arroz Cremoso is lush, nuanced and so good that sharing it requires more generosity than I can reliably muster.

Decades on, Balthazar remains one of the city's last great constants: a room where solo diners are toasted with champagne, the roast chicken never wavers, and belonging matters more than the plate. This is why it still works.

Discover the warmth of tortellini in brodo at Monteverde Chicago, where hand-crafted tortellini meets deeply flavorful broth. Inspired by Emilia-Romagna’s culinary tradition, this seasonal dish is a must-try for cold nights. Watch pasta being made in their pastificio, savor each bite, and finish the meal the Italian way—with a splash of Lambrusco in the last sips of brodo.