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Industry Experts Name the Top Newcomers of 2014

As we put a cap on 2014, Eater surveyed a group of critics, writers, and all around experts for their take on the past year. We asked them eight questions: from Top Standbys to Top Newcomers, from Best Meals to Restaurants Broken Up With. All answers will be revealed—cut, pasted, unedited and unadulterated—by the time we pop the cork on 2015.

42 Grams was one of the top newcomers of 2014
42 Grams was one of the top newcomers of 2014
Marc Much

Q: What were the top restaurant newcomers of 2014?

Penny Pollack, Chicago Magazine: In alphabetical order: Dove's Luncheonette, The Duck Inn, MFK, RPM Steak.

Michael Nagrant, RedEye: Tete Charcuterie, Bohemian House, MFK, Momotaro (especially hot menu), Dove's, I heard 42 Grams is awesome, but I'm banned, Acanto.

Mike Gebert, Reader: Well, I doubt my list will be terribly different from everyone else's who liked 42 Grams, the new incarnation of Boka and Parachute. I think people don't quite appreciate The Radler as much as they should, but I loved having a place of that level near me that I could just pop into. I really liked A10, I felt like it really fulfilled Matthias Merges' promise of taking a Trotter approach to normal people-priced food. And it's kind of more of a snack than a meal, but Lao Pi BBQ, the meat on sticks joint in a food court in Chinatown.

Amy Cavanaugh, Time Out Chicago: Parachute, mfk., 42 Grams, the Roost, Bohemian House, Salero, Baker Miller, Tete Charcuterie.

Chris LaMorte, UrbanDaddy: I think Bohemian House brought something new and special to town.

Sarah Freeman, Zagat: Momotaro was the opening I have been waiting for. It opened its doors with a bang — beautiful space, impeccably prepared sushi and interesting hot dishes. The Boka guys have figured out the winning formula of providing a welcoming atmosphere where a team of talented chefs can shine. On the other end of the spectrum, a total newcomer, Bohemian House, came out of nowhere with a chef no one heard of serving "sexy Czech food" in River North. I never thought it would work, but it did.

Chandra Ram, Plate: Damn, we got lucky this year. Between MFK, Dove's, Baker Miller and Parachute, there was no excuse for a bad meal in 2014.

Melissa McEwen, ChicagoistCharlatan, Acanto, Momotaro.