MATT CHIERA
CHICAGO, IL

I just don't want to look back and think "I could've eaten that."

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Barcelona Spanish

Suculent (Barcelona)

on
October 26, 2014

Easily the best meal we had in Barcelona.

The crescendo of the meal for us was when after being served 13 or so dishes of some of the most delicious (dare I say succulent 🙂 plates of food we’ve ever eaten, we were getting to the point of loosening our…


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Barcelona Spanish Tapas

Irati Taverna Basca (Barcelona)

on
October 14, 2014

It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten something amazing for a dollar, but at 1 euro/each, the unbelievably delicious pintxos at Irati is the best value in dining in this and possibly parallel universes.

First off, the atmosphere very much feels like a locals-only environment. Packed, lively, and fun….


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Chicago Mexican

Las Fuentes Restaurant

on
August 9, 2014

Las Fuentes’ patio is one of the hidden gems of the north side.

The patio is huge, decorated in awesome garish Mexican decor, and features a huge mural painted in the side of the building. Mexican music pipes through speakers and a large stone fountain serves as a centerpiece….


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Chicago Molecular Gastronomy

Moto

on
February 5, 2014

The server/sommelier sets a candle on our table. There’s two of us, well dressed, romantic vibe. Ok, we think, they’re just setting the mood. Three courses later, an astoundingly delicious king crab dish is served – the server grabs the candle, saying nothing, and drips hot wax all over…


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Chicago Mexican

5411 Empanadas

on
February 3, 2014

How did I not find out about this sooner?

Amazing empanadas at $2.50 a piece – a wallet-friendly, delicious dining experience.

We tried the beef empanada, the date and bacon empanada (which tasted dead-on like dates wrapped in bacon that you would get at a great tapas place), and the ham…


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Chicago New American

iNG Restaurant (Now Closed)

on
December 22, 2013

To call Ing a restaurant is unfair. Ing is an experience – whimsical, alcohol-fueled, surprising, and most importantly: delicious.

As a relative noobie to the molecular gastronomy scene I was expecting an excellent experience, but I was also prepared to experience pretentiousness, food that is made to look good rather…

Florence Italian

La Giostra

on
November 15, 2013

The mozzarella. At first glance it appears that you are being served a bowl of milk. You’re first reaction will be to to think “a cat I am not!” but one stab of the fork into the bowl and you’ll come to a stunning realization: the cheese, it’s so…


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Chicago Diner New American

Little Goat

on
August 18, 2013

If drinking craft cocktails on a hot summer day underneath a massive rotating goat sign is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.

The roof bar was everything you could hope for in a rooftop – comfortable couch seating, bar staff knocking down drinks with the customers, watermelon based booze, and…


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Chicago Deli

The Bagel

on
August 11, 2013

Maybe it was the perfect combination of spectacular food, speedy service, and the surprisingly inexpensive check, but we had a GREAT experience at The Bagel.

As a guy who grew up with relatives that cook incredibly good Matzo Ball Soup and Jewish comfort food, I consider myself a pro on…


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Chicago New American

Taverna 750

on
March 31, 2013

While the food, drinks, and atmosphere were all top notch at Taverna 750, the real star of the place was the service. Dan was without a doubt one of the best servers I’ve ever met. Seriously it’s like the guy went to Server School and was #1 in his…