Critics Think Bar Marta is a Pleasing Winter Hideout; More

Bar Marta impresses Michael Nagrant with fare "worth seeking out." The new Humboldt Park restaurant form Hogsalt vets hits all the right notes on a cacio e pepe dish featuring housemade spaghetti dripping with pecorino and black pepper, which is so good that Nagrant "[doubts] there's a better version served in Rome." An "inspired" iceberg and grains salad "[pushes] the envelope" by reimagining the classic wedge salad while "silky" ravioli are stuffed with mascarpone, chives and king crab in an uni butter sauce.

A "moist" banana cake for dessert is inspired by a dark and stormy cocktail and topped with candied lime-spiked ginger, wispy curls of dehydrated banana and vanilla ice cream. Nagrant's favorite drink on the menu is a glass of 2008 La Stoppa Malvasia di Candia Ageno, which he calls a "mind-blowing pour full of honey and orange notes complemented by a touch of shellac and barnyard funk." [RedEye]

Amy Cavanaugh also has a memorable experience at Bar Marta and thinks it's the "ideal place to ride out the cold winter." The "umami-laden" Caesar salad—"piled high" with anchovy dressing-slicked lettuce, shaved Parmesan and bonito flakes—is "one of the best" she's ever had, while other hits include a "beautifully roasted" chicken, "pillowy" cheese gnocchi and a caramel-topped banana rum cake. The "approachable" drink list features an "elegant" cognac-orgeat Japanese concoction as well as hard-to-find orange wines. [TOC]

Wyler Road "isn't your typical sandwich joint." The Logan Square café's special sandwiches take it "to the next level" and include a "really good" veal heart Philly cheesesteak and a smoked salmon sandwich with an "excellent" combination of flavors. Other highlights such as a fried clam belly sandwich and a "quality," very simple roast beef along with "great service and a higher degree of cleanliness" help make Wyler Road a place everyone can enjoy. [The Infatuation]