Andros Taverna is the answer for customers who wonder “what if Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises opened a Greek restaurant?” Co-owner and chef Doug Psaltis was the mastermind behind LEYE’s RPM series of restaurants, and has teamed up with the owners of popular Lincoln Park haunt Gemini. The dining room and bar are lively as the team knocks out opening kinks. What differentiates Andros is the pastry program from co-owner Hsing Chen, a decorated pastry chef who has been selling dessert boxes over the weekend. 

As the pandemic makes carryout-friendly restaurants more feasible, Taqueria Chingón represents the most notable new taco spot. This is a collaboration involving the chefs from the late Jean-Claude Poilevey’s French restaurants (La Sardine, Le Bouchon). With the chef’s son, Oliver, sharing the reins with chefs Sotero Gallego and Marcos Ascencio, Chingón serves delightful carnitas, al pastor (in pork and veggie varieties), and select off cuts — ask what’s off the menu. Preordering in advance is recommended.

Peranakan cuisine is a mixture of several Asian cultures, and before Kapitan, Chicago did not have a restaurant for this unique cuisine. On a trip to abroad, the owner of Serai (a well-regarded Malaysian restaurant) realized how much he enjoyed the food and he vowed to bring it back to his adopted hometown. Beyond serving staple sharable dinner options, Kapitan is also serving breakfast including a Malaysian street item — an egg-wrapped sandwich called the Ramly Burger. Available for pickup and delivery.

The investors behind Hinoki Sushiko reeled in a big fish when they brought in Kyoten chef Otto Phan into the project. While Phan remains focused on his Logan Square sushi den, he’s lent his talents in developing the menu and sharing where he sources his imported fish. Hinoki Sushiko will be a fun spot for Japanese pub snacks and drinks on the first floor. It’s more buttoned up on the second floor where the customers can feast on omakase. During the summer they’ll open a patio.

Tree House is a friendly neighborhood all-day, counter-serve restaurant that will be a boon to neighbors so they can drink coffee, eat fried chicken biscuits (it’s amazing), and just hang. For now, thanks to capacity limits, the space is wide open but the owners — behind hip clothing brands like Round 2 and Half Evil — yearn to create a scene where regulars won’t wait to make return visits. Empanadas and smoothies are also available. Open for dine-in and carryout.

Sam Sanchez — the bar owner who’s given Chicago John Barleycorn’s, Old Crow Smokehouse, and Moe’s Cantina — has been delegating more of his empire to his daughters. Samantha Sanchez has revamped the Old Crow space in River North into Tree House. Don’t take the downtown space for granted: The Detroit-style pizza is nothing to sneer at.

Joe Flamm’s dream is finally here, as the the former Spiaggia chef and Top Chef winner opened his first restaurant alongside the owners of flashy West Loop steakhouse BLVD. Flamm merges his prowess of handmade Italian pastas with Croatian techniques blending Old and New Worlds to creating something unique. Reservations are recommended because this might the most difficult table in town.

Niquenya Collins has opened her first restaurant, hoping to grow a brand of products that use her Cocoa Chili name. She is a polyglot who enjoys explore international cultures, and her virtual restaurant at the Hatchery explores the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. Find jerk chicken, chili, and more.

Unveiling a restaurant that’s seen as a destination is a tall order during a pandemic, but that’s what Pilsen Yards is thanks to a patio that has safety and comfort in mind. It’s not how ownership, the same that have run Pizza Capri for decades, envisioned it would debut the new restaurant. Pilsen Yards is a reboot of Monnie Burke’s featuring street tacos and cocktails. The cocktail program will eventually be expanded, with a speakeasy-style lounge inside. But for now, the focus is the patio which features heated floors that bring a more comfy feel to arctic dining. This patio actually will make customers feel safe.

West Coast native Stephen Gillanders has found a home in Chicago and his Pilsen spot, S.K.Y., has emerged as one of the best restaurants in town. The former Lettuce Entertain You chef has followed that effort with Apolonia, a radical change as Gillanders dives into European cuisine in the South Loop. The chef takes a playful approach with pastas, a giant-sized chicken Kiev, and more. This neighborhood restaurant near McCormick Place will serve locals well.

The year 2020 is where the pizza wars heated up in Chicago, and the Marszewski brothers (Marz Community Brewing, Kimski, Maria’s Community Bar) were already primed to prove Bridgeport is the community of the future. PFIC primarily features square-cut Sicilian-style pizza. The veggie standby, with mushrooms, is a revelation. The pizza options rotate. Kimski chef Won Kim has created a variety of fried chicken in Korean and southern styles. Ice cream novelties are from Dana Cree Salls of Pretty Cool Ice Cream. Take out, delivery, and patio dining are available. Order online. In other news, Kimski has concerted to Community Kitchen, giving out free meals to those who need them during the pandemic.

A South Side breakfast staple has been reborn have a two-year hiatus. Ms. Biscuit has an illustrious history that started in Woodlawn before moving to Washington Park. Ms. Biscuit reopened in early March and while Chicago isn’t known for its biscuits, this neighborhood stalwart serves biscuits that would make a southerner blush.

Flippin’ Flavors opened earlier this year in Beverly where owner Brian Flippin has been serving hoagies and Philadelphia cheesesteaks. The cheesesteaks come with provolone (sorry, Cheez Whiz fans). Red meat isn’t the only focus: The hot-and-spicy hoagy is a favorite of the Tribune staff. Delivery via DoorDash and Grubhub.