110 W. Illinois St., River North
Billy Dec, Brad Young and Arturo Gomez, the trio behind hotspots Rockit Bar & Grill and The Underground are also behind this River North new Asian spot where Rodelio Aglibot, a.k.a. the "Food Buddha" (and former executive chef at L.A.'s Koi) is in the kitchen. The restaurant's name is a nod to the Sunda Shelf, a Southest Asian landmass, and incorporates modern takes on dishes from throughout the region. A large chunk of the lineup is devoted to China and Japan, but fare from other countries, including Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand, makes an appearance too. Expect new Asian dishes such as Malay-style Chilean sea bass, crab-crusted ahi tuna with Japanese hot mustard-soy glaze, pork shank confit with garlic-foie gras gravy and watercress salad, and a couple of Asian-inspired noodle dishes. There's also a full sushi bar. READ MORE
3141 N. Broadway, Lake View
About 10 Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches--including the Saigon Classic, made with ham, head cheese and pork--are available, served on freshly baked French baguettes. (The eatery's mayo is also homemade, using yolks instead of the traditional egg whites.) Sandwich ingredients can also be made into a spring roll or a salad. Lunch and dinner items are available to go, but seating is available for more than a half-dozen diners; in warm weather, the garage door storefront opens up for an al fresco experience. READ MORE
