Photo: lu_lu

Mixteco

1601 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613

Featuring upscale Mexican food at reasonable prices, Mixteco is one of Chicago’s most-popular Mexican BYOs. Think carne asada and chicken in traditional Oaxacan mole.

Photo: QuintanaRoo

Prices are reasonable at about $15 per entrée, portions are substantial and service is stellar, but make reservations or be prepared to wait indefinitely.

What to bring: Complement the smoky flavors of mole with a hearty red like a Spanish Rioja, or get festive with tequila and margarita mix or some bottled sangria

Terragusto

1851 W Addison St, Chicago, IL 60613
http://www.terragustocafe.com/

In the Italian corner, Terragusto reigns. Serving up generous portions of country Italian cuisine, Terragusto offers a great value to price ratio.

The 4-course traditional meal is the best deal. For under $40, each diner selects an appetizer like crostini or salad and a secondi such as wagyu beef on polenta or egg pasta tossed with braised duck. Then each set of two diners shares a main course like steak del giorno or whole roasted fish.

What to bring: Invest your savings in more wine. Start with a refreshing prosecco, bring an aged Italian red like Brunello or Barolo for the main, and finish with a light Moscato d’Asti.

Bonsoirée

2728 W Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647
http://www.bon-soiree.com/

Photo: ewwhite

Bonsoirée promises “a revolution in BYOB” and it delivers. Most days, diners chose from 4, 7, or 13-course menus. On Saturdays, those who subscribe to the “Underground” mailing list are treated to a special $85, 6-course gastronomic feast.

The menu changes monthly but will also feature expertly prepared cuisine featuring fresh local ingredients inventively prepared and artfully presented. This isn’t just a meal, it’s a culinary journey that generally takes about 2 hours to complete.

What to bring: Depending on how many courses you opt for you, you may want to bring several bottles (it’s always better to have more than to run out), which the server will pair with each course.

Smoque

3800 N Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60641
http://www.smoquebbq.com

Get your barbecue fix at Smoque. The menu is limited, featuring just ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken and sausage with a few sides. After one taste of the tender, smoky barbecue you’ll realize it offers everything you need, though, especially when dinner for two can be had for around $15.

What to bring: Nothing complements good old barbecue like a cold beer. Bring a six-pack, or two, or your favorite brew. A hoppy IPA goes particularly well with barbecue.

HB

3404 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60657
http://www.homebistrochicago.com/

This Boystown favorite pulls no punches when it comes to quality “comfort food” with an upscale twist. On the ever-changing menu you might find offerings such as wild boar and cranberry sausage, fried quail on waffles, or a lamb burger with brie on a pretzel roll.

The tiny kitchen and solitary server never keep diners waiting and often go above and beyond the call of duty – it may be the only place the waiter will volunteer to run across the street to procure more wine if you’ve run out.

Photo: andysternberg

What to bring: HB’s eclectic offerings pair well with a wide variety of flavors. Bring a few different options or stick with mild profiles like Pinot Noir, dry Chardonnay, or a crisp ale.

Tango Sur

3763 N Southport Avenue, Chicago, IL 60613

There’s always a line at this Argentinian steakhouse, but head to the back room to sip your wine while you wait and the time will pass quickly.

Start with some flaky empanadas or gooey, melted provoleta cheese, and then share a heaping platter of tender, juicy, Argentinian beef filets.

After enjoying a steak dinner for two by candlelight for under $50, you just might feel like you’ve been transported to Buenos Aires.

What to bring: Argentine Malbec, of course.

Nookies Tree

3334 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657
http://www.nookiesrestaurants.net/

For a more casual BYOB experience, head to the classic diner Nookies Tree. Nosh on classics like BLTs, burgers, Cobb salads, and clam chowder while sipping your favorite beverage in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

Come for breakfast armed with champagne and make a few mimosas to complement your eggs Benedict or blueberry pancakes.

What to bring: Whatever tickles your fancy.

Tac Quick

3930 N Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60613

Photo: lobstar28

This tiny joint under the Sheridan L stop serves up some of the best Thai food in Chicago. All the classics are here, like crab wontons, pad Thai and massaman beef curry.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, ask for the secret Thai menu to try specialties like duck sausage and smoked goat.

What to bring: Tone down the spice of Thai food with a dry white like Pinot Grigio.

Friendship Chinese

2830 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
http://www.friendshiprestaurant.com/

Located on a desolate strip of Milwaukee Avenue on Chicago’s northwest side, Friendship is worth the trek. Chinese take-out dishes are re-imagined and made worthy of the sleek space and trendy scene they are served in.

The panko crusted champagne lemon chicken and spicy merlot beef particularly stand out. For extra savings, go on a Tuesday when all entrees are $8.95

What to bring: Balance the spice of most dishes with a light, sweet white, like a Viognier, or cool down with a Belgian wheat beer with hints of fruit.

Toro

2546 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60614
http://torosushi.biz

Photo: motko_fujita

The secret is out about Toro – the place many consider to offer the best sushi in Chicago. Expect to wait an hour or more during prime times, or come early to get your fill of delicious fresh nigiri and inventive maki rolls.

With most of the rolls clocking in around $5, two people can gorge on chef Mitch’s crazy creations for under $30. 


What to bring: Pair delicate fish and spicy wasabi with a semi-sweet Riesling, or go Asian with some Sapporo beer or a bottle of sake (which the staff will happily heat and serve in a traditional ceramic carafe).

Community Connection

Have any other recommendations for Chicago area restaurants? Let us know in the comments!

Despite Iceland’s infamous financial collapse, things aren’t as cheap as they’ve been rumored to be. A bottle of wine can be prohibitively expensive in a restaurant and a beer will run at least $6 for a pint.

Yet the residents of Reykjavik are still out en masse, partying until the sun comes up, and you plan to join them.

But first, a little lesson on how to make the most of the rúntur without winding up bankrupt yourself.

What is Rúntur?

In the small towns (though towns might be an overstatement – most are just a sparse collection of houses) that dot Iceland’s countryside, the rúntur was devised as weekend entertainment by youth bored during the winter months of near-endless night.

The word rúntur translates to “round tour” and that’s just what it is. Teenagers cram into their cars and make laps along the local roads, stopping occasionally at a car park to socialize.

In Reykjavik, rúntur is also the name given to the weekend pub crawl, when partiers make their way around town to multiple bars and clubs. Ask any Icelander and they’ll be the first to admit – they drink a lot.

In summer they drink to celebrate the long sunny days and in winter they drink to make it through the cold, dark ones.

Straight-laced and sober during the week, Icelanders let loose on weekends. It seems that alcohol is so expensive, they figure if they are going to pay a fortune to drink, they might as well really go at it.

Preparty

Hopefully, the first stop you (along with everyone else) made in Iceland was at the Keflavik Airport Duty-Free shop. The duty-free sells wine and liquor at up to 60% less than what it costs at the city shops.

A liter of strong, smooth Reyka vodka that runs about 2100 kronur at the Duty-Free might sell for 6600 kronur in the city. If you didn’t think to stock up, you’ll need to make an afternoon stop at the Vinbudin liquor store to prepare for the evening’s festivities.

Start with dinner at home or in a restaurant, but not too early. You’ll need stamina to party until dawn so rest up and don’t begin your evening until around 9pm.

Dress

The Reykjavik rúntur is a dressy affair so look the part. For men, jeans are okay so long as they are fashionable, though slacks and a sport coat are also popular. Women’s fashions run the gamut from sexy jeans and slinky tops to trendy dresses, and it matters little what the weather calls for. It’s not unusual to see bare legs and peep-toe shoes in the dead of winter.

After dinner, head back to your hotel (or better yet, a new friend’s apartment) and start drinking. If you want to be on par with everyone else, you’ll need to have several drinks under your belt before you even think about walking out the door.

Where to go

The main rúntur activity takes place on and around Laugavegur Street.

You may be surprised to find the quiet cafés and restaurants you were in just hours earlier have now been transformed into raucous clubs and bars. For live music, head to Nasa, which hosts everything from performances by local jazz musicians to sets by famous DJs.

Feel like hitting the dance floor? Check out Sólon or B5 – both bistros by day, dance parties by night. Kaffibarinn, owned by Damon Albarn of the band Blur, is a more low-key alternative and good place to relax before heading to the more lively clubs.

What to drink

Beer was banned in Iceland until 1989, but now several local breweries produce it, and quite well actually. The most popular brands are Viking, Kaldi, Thule, and Egils. At $6-8 a pint, beer will be the cheapest option and if you’ve followed the rúntur protocol and pre-lubed a bit at home, it should be all you need. Most clubs also offer inventive cocktails and all your favorite standbys, but these libations will cost you much more.

Once you’re in the clubs, there’s no pressure to spend. It’s not unusual to nurse one or two beers all night and buying a round for friends is virtually unheard of. The more frugal partiers are also known to sneak a few nips from a pocket flask as they travel between bars.

Late night eats

As 5am approaches the clubs begin to empty and the streets fill with the well-dressed and well-tipsy. Wander down near the harbor to Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur, the most popular hot dog stand in town. Icelanders take their hot dogs seriously, making them with lamb and covering them with remoulade, ketchup, mustard, and raw and fried onions.

Wait in the long but fast-moving line and then take your bounty back to the city’s main square to join the gathered crowd. The scene is much like last call in any bar around the world: separated friends are reunited and trade stories of the night’s escapades, singles mingle and find their last-minute hookups and everyone else begins to stumble home.

In summer, the sun will be shining brightly overheard while in winter, it will be dark for several hours – just long enough to let you rest and recover for the next round.

Tomorrow, after all, is Saturday.

All photos courtesy of the author.

Community Connection

This article was originally a blog on the Matador Community. See Katie Hammel’s Original blog here. Create your own blog and profile on Matador today.