25 W. Davis St., Arlington Heights
This spot, whose name means "local gathering place" in Spanish, features a festive interior filled with mosaics, hand-painted tiles and murals created by local artists. The menu offers both hot and cold tapas like grilled baby octopus, and herbed goat cheese baked in tomato sauce on the hot side, and cured Spanish meats and aged cheeses on the cold side, plus more substantial fare like paella. House-made sangria is the beverage of choice, but there is also a wine list with a Spanish focus, with several by-the-glass options.READ MORE
809 W. Randolph St., West Town
"Top Chef" Season 4 winner Stephanie Izard teams up with partners Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm of Boka Restaurant Group (Boka and Perennial Virant) at this "fun and funky" shared-plates spot focusing on Mediterranean flavors and local ingredients in the West Loop. There's goat on the menu (smoked goat pizza with tart cherry soffrito, grilled shrimp with spiced goat and kohlrabi kimchee), but that's not all. The lineup is divided into three sections: veggies, fish and meat, and though dishes will change regularly based on seasonality, the opening menu includes everything from chilled sweet onion soup with olive oil-poached shrimp to braised beef tongue wtih masa and salsa verde. Locally-based design firm 555 International tricked out the space with touches such as burlap-and clay-covered walls, butcher-block tables and funky antique fireboxes to create a look Izard calls "rustic with a bit of badass and quirkiness." READ MORE
833 W. Randolph St., West Town
The team behind Old Town Social -- including executive chef Jared Van Camp -- have opened this eatery in the former March location. Taking its name and style cue from the French Riviera mansion where the Rolling Stones recorded "Exile on Main Street" in 1971, the sprawling space is designed with a bohemian chic vibe in mind. Get specialty cocktails mixed in the kitchen; European-inspired cuisine includes French, Spanish and Italian influences with a focus on fresh ingredients. Roughly a half-dozen types of pasta are made using flour milled on-site from local farmers' grains. The West Loop eatery also offers seafood and Neapolitan-style pizzas prepared in a wood oven, all at an affordable price: Entrees will all ring in less than $15. READ MORE
328 S. Jefferson St.., Ste. 120, West Loop
A carefully edited menu of Spanish wines takes the focus of this West Loop wine bar and store owned by native Spaniard Paola Perez. Sherry, beer and spirits are also available, plus a selection of tapas, cheese and charcuterie. READ MORE
