Industry Experts Name the Top Newcomers of 2014

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, Chicagoist: Charlatan, Acanto, Momotaro.