NYT Captures Goat, Gilt, Longman & More for 36 Hours In

Girl & The Goat [Photo: NYT]

If you get the Sunday New York Times you likely drool over the entries in the travel section, especially the "36 Hours In" column, where you can fantasize about make plans to explore great cities around the world. This Sunday, the paper shines the spotlight (finally) on Chicago and amidst discussion of great architecture, shopping and neighborhoods, gives a nod to a number of our outstanding new restaurants.

Easily sidestepping the cliche "must eats" like Chicago hot dogs and deep-dish pizza, the article recommends some of the hottest new spots, including Stephanie Izard's Girl & the Goat; Gilt Bar and its downstairs lounge Curio; Rick Bayless' casual eatery Xoco; Tony Mantuano's upscale Art Institute restaurant Terzo Piano and Logan Square's hot hipster gastropub Longman & Eagle.

In a pleasant surprise, the article also highlights Uptown gay bar Big Chicks as an alternative to the (ahem, cheesy) clubs on Ontario Street's "Red Bull Row." The spot, adjacent to its restaurant Tweet, has been around for 20-plus years and always draws a lively, happy crowd that leaves the pretense at the door (the bar's motto: "Never a Cover. Never an Attitude"). It's nice to see the place that has free BBQ buffets every Sunday getting major props from the Gray Lady.

36 Hours In Chicago [NYT]