Listing Directory: General

  • Taste of the Islands 

    Jamaican ex-pats say this is the place to order ackee (a kind of fruit) and saltfish, the country’s national dish. Thursday nights means fish fry with live reggae. 

  • La Bonne Franquette

    La Bonne Franquette

    Solid French fare west of the Ashley? Mais oui! Christophe and Carly Paume, proprietors of a beloved downtown chocolaterie, have fashioned this tidy bistro after the nonfussy sort one finds all over France. Find many standards here, such as house-made pork rillettes, a delightful vichysoisse, mussels, and steak frite, as well as top-notch patisserie and…

  • Bearcat

    Armed with a resume that name-checks some of Chicago’s top temples of fine dining, including Michelin-starred restaurants Acadia, Elizabeth, and Ever, chef George Kovach brings a modern, playful vibe to his Avondale restaurant. Each dish is a work of art, but there’s plenty of substance, too, especially among the smaller plates, like the golden beet…

  • Reggae Grill 

    You can’t go wrong with the daily special here: think curried goat and turkey wings. Each plate comes with with rice and peas or stir-fried cabbage and plantains. Wash it down with a big glass of sorrel (hibiscus) tea or Baba Roots, a Jamaican herbal drink. (ML) 4226 Rivers Ave.,  (843) 793-4859, . $-$$; L…

  • King BBQ

    King BBQ

    A sibling to the beloved Jackrabbit Filly, this Chinatown barbecue concept is a go-to for smoked meats—from pork ribs to duck—and “trashy-fancy” cocktails at its ornate bar. Enjoy “Golden Hour” from 4 to 5 p.m. with $4 snacks and $6 drinks.    Photo Credits: Mike Ledford

  • Caribbean Delight 

    This casual spot has been comforting homesick Jamaicans with its jerk pork, oxtail, roasted breadfruit, and all manner of stews and curries since 2016. 

  • Spice Palette

    Spice Palette

    Find chaat—crunchy, savory, and habit-forming snacks—along with a multitude of other pan-Indian delights at this strip mall spot, where the vibe is cheeky Bollywood and service is on point. Go early for dinner and sip a Bombay Gin-Gin while you peruse the menu, a tome of classics, specialty dishes such as prawn moilee and no…

  • Lola Rose

    It’s all about wood-fired pizza and house-made pasta at Susan and Kevin Johnson’s welcoming trattoria in the Carolina Park neighborhood. Standouts include a stellar chopped salad of lettuces, salami, provolone and white acre peas; spaghetti with chowder clams and breadcrumbs; and the Sicilian lamb meatballs with pistachio relish. 

  • Jack’s Cosmic Dogs

    This kitschy, no-frills joint has served up out-of-this-world hot dogs, sides, and ice cream for more than 23 years. Go for the Blue Galactic, slathered with chili, cheese, house-made blue cheese coleslaw, and a drizzle of Jack’s Cosmic Mustard, or BYOD (Build Your Own Dog) with a variety of toppings.

  • Sorelle 

    Sorelle emanates big-city opulence, with only-in-Charleston flair, like the view of the Four Corners of Law from the dining room. While house-made pasta, local fish, and lavish meat dishes anchor the offerings, the smaller plates, such as the vongole fra diavolo, generate the most excitement, especially when paired with a house Negroni. Also winners: handkerchief…