Evanston Restaurant Tips by TRimer Top 5 Page for this destination

Dave's Italian Kitchen: Bring Your Appetite

Now moved from its spot under the El, this restaurant is still a mainstay for hungry students. Definately the ambience has improved with the new location. The new sub-street-level room is painted a cheerful canary yellow, with a crimson cement ceiling and framed prints of wine labels adorning the walls. The signature inscribed empty wine bottles still line the walls, but thankfully dingy burlap no longer hangs from the ceiling.

Favorite Dish: The food is as good but basic Americanized Italian. Don't expect gourmet. The spaghetti with meat sauce or marinara comes in huge portions, the pizzas have a perfectly thin crust and fresh toppings, and the bread's homemade, as always (which makes the best garlic bread). Dave handpicks the wine list - which has lots of really good, unusual wines.

Sun. - Thurs 4:00-10:00 PM
Fri. & Sat. 4:00-11:00 PM

Address: 1635 Chicago Avenue

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: B/W Davis and Church Streets. Davis EL stop.

Phone: (847) 864-6000

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Website: http://www.davesik.com/

Trio: Must visit for serious gourmands- now closed

Critical culinary acclaims that are too lengthy to list. Trio Restaurant's consistent national recognition has made it one of the Chicago area's highest rated fine-dining establishments. Executive Chef Grant Achatz (formerly of The French Laundry) has proven himself quickly with top-rated 4-star local reviews, Food and Wine Magazine's Top Ten Chefs for 2002 award and the James Beard Rising Star Chef award for 2003.

While now closed- it is important to note how many renowned Chicago chefs have passed through its kitchen:

Grant Achatz: chef chef/owner, Alinea

Darin Bieck: sous chef chef de cuisine, Spring

Michael Carlson: cook chef/partner, Schwa

Curtis Duffy: cook, pastry chef sous chef, Alinea

Gale Gand: pastry chef pastry chef/partner, Tru

Della Gossett: pastry chef pastry chef, Charlie Trotter's

Nathan Klingbail: cook sous chef/partner, Schwa

Shawn McClain: chef chef/partner Spring, Green Zebra, Custom House

John Peters: sous chef sous chef, Alinea

Michael Pagliarini: cook sous chef, Radius in Boston

Rick Tramonto: chef chef/partner, Tru, Osteria Via Stato

Favorite Dish: Trio is on the cutting edge of avant-garde cuisine, influenced by an array of global flavors and textures. The focus is on elegant, seasonally inspired ingredients, creatively showcased in four- and eight-course prix fixe and gastronomic twenty-course tasting menus, guiding diners through an unsurpassed dining experience. Driven by the energetic creativity of the kitchen, Trio's menu is always in a state of evolution making dining here an experiential adventure. Superbly orchestrated wine tastings, specifically selected for individual dishes, create the award-winning pairing progressions unique to restaurants of this caliber.

Address: 1625 Hinman Avenue

Comparison: most expensive

Directions: b/w Davis and Church. The restaurant is located in the Homestead.

Other Contact: Jackets suggested (not required)

Phone: 847.733.TRIO (8746)

Price: US$41 and up

Rating: 5

Theme: Eclectic/International

Website: http://www.trio-restaurant.com/

Carmen's: Chicago Style Pizza

Carmen's was my first foray into Chicago style (stuffed) pizza while at grad school. We frequented both locations almost on a daily basis. They also have thin crust and deep dish but everyone goes for the stuffed. The restaurant itself is not glamorous. Expect lots of students from NU. A good place to bring the kids (they won't notice if they drop on the floor).

Favorite Dish: Carmen's crust is noticably less sweet than that of Giordonos. Try the famous spinach or the Carmen's Special which is a hefty blend of sausage, mushroom, green pepper and onion. Be sure to order a side salad and a pitcher of soda/pop.

Sunday Noon to 11:00 pm
Mon.- Thurs. 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Fri. - Sat. 11:00 am - Midnight

Address: 1012 Church St.

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Between Oak and Maple in Downtown Evanston. From the Davis St. el stop, go one block South on Benson, and turn West. It's about 2 blocks, on the North side of the street.

Phone: 847) 328-0031

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Pizza

Walker Brothers: Pancakes, Pancakes, Pancakes

Another staple from my years at Kellogg, and we still drive up from Chicago to go to Walker Brothers. Be prepared to wait 20-30 minutes during the weekends. This place always seems to be packed.

This location was the first of Victor and Everett Walker's five pancake houses. Its antique accoutrements make it seem much older than that--Tiffany-style lamps, brass fixtures, stained and leaded glass, maho-gany booths and tables.

Favorite Dish: My favorite is the Swedish pancakes (ultra-thin) topped with ligonberries (sweet and tart). However, Walker Bros. is famous for a buttery oven-baked apple pancake that's closer in size to an apple pie. It has Granny Smiths mixed right into the batter. The smaller Dutch Baby uses the same batter and there's a puffy German pancake served with lemon and powdered sugar or fresh strawberries and bananas, Belgian waffles, thick French toast and omelettes oozing substantial fillings.

Address: 153 Green Bay Rd., Wilmette

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (847) 251-6000

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Breakfast

Mustard's Last Stand: Grab a Dog Before the Game

Mustard's is not so much a restaurant as it is a destination. It is basically a little stand outside of Ryan Stadium where you can grab a quick snack before or after a game.

Favorite Dish: Mustard's is known for it's char dogs and hamburgers.

Address: 1613 Central Street

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Across from Ryan Stadium

Phone: 847-864-2700

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Street Vendor

Cafe Express on Dempster: Funky Place to Eat Desserts

Chain-smoking students, college-town hipsters and intellectual wannabes hang here instead of at corporate Starbucks down the street. This is the oldest coffeehouse in Evanston.

Favorite Dish: They have sandwiches as well as baked goods. I like the coffee and the italian sodas.

Address: 615 Dempster

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: and Chicago (near the El tracks)

Other Contact: open til 10 most nights

Phone: (847) 864 1868

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Dessert

Trattoria Demi: Fresh Italian

This is the place you go when you want more of an atmosphere with your value priced Italian food. The food is good, service is attentive, and it is a pretty place to eat. I especially like sitting outside in front of the restaurant during the summer.

Address: 1571 Sherman Avenue

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Bw Davis and Orrington

Phone: (847) 332 2330

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian