Lists

Ria is Chicago’s Best New Restaurant

Ria's shaved foie gras
Ria’s shaved foie gras Photo: Helen Rosner

Last week Chicago magazine unveiled its list of the 40 most influential restaurants in the city’s history, and we were not terribly surprised who came out on top. But today we learn that their best new restaurant of the year is Ria, and we have to admit to being kind of shocked. The place is so new that Jeff Ruby’s review actually appears in their April issue. But that was apparently enough time for him to come to the conclusion that, “Ria is destined for greatness.”

The rest of the 21 places are a little more obvious. Xoco, Belly Shack, and Big Star get called out as the best examples of the new street food places opened by big name chefs. Sprout and Cibo Matto, on the other hand, were featured as shockingly good upscale spots started by upstart chefs. The full article is available in the most recent issue of Chicago magazine.

Ria is Chicago’s Best New Restaurant