North Shore Restaurant Guide - So Many Choices!

With Chicago being just a short drive or train ride away, it's tempting to head downtown for dinner.  But the North Shore is brimming with good dining spots of all varieties. Here's a quick guide to local dining:

Winnetka/Northfield

Cafe Buongiorno - 566 Chestnut St., Winnetka, - 847-784-8899 - made-from-scratch breakfasts and lunches
Happ Bar & Grill - 305 Happ Rd., Northfield, 847-0784-9200 - American continental
Hunan Chef - 1743 Orchard Ln, 847-446-2506 - casual, mostly take-out Chinese food
Jerry's - 505-07 Chestnut, Winnetka - 847-441-0134 - opened in conjunction with Corner Cooks - eclectic, seasonal, a little French
Kyoto - 1062 Gage St., Winnetka (corner of  Gage & Green Bay) 847-446-784-9398 - traditional Japanese and sushi
Little Lan's - 544 Chestnut, Winnetka, 847-446-9988 - eat-in or take out Chinese
Little Ricky's - 540 Lincoln, Winnetka 847-784-1444 - casual ribs, burgers, salads     

Michael - 64 Green Bay, Winnetka 847-441-3100 - high end French with many awards and stars
Mirani's -  727 Elm St, Winnetka, 847-441-5590 - high end French dining in downtown Winnetka                 Once Upon a Bagel
O'Neils -  1003 Green Bay, Winnetka, 847-446-7100 - Italian/Continental 
Panera Bread - 940 Green Bay, Winnetka, 847-441-8617 - chain with excellent sandwiches, salads and soups (and of course, bagels!)                                                                                                                        - 1743 Orchard, 847-386-7159.  

Taco Nano - 1743 Orchard, 847-386-7932.  The BEST soft tacos and great for takeout.  

Tapas Gitana - 310 Happ Rd., Northfield, 847-784-9300 - little piece of "Barcelona"

Trifecta - 501 Chestnut, 847-441-1700.  The 3rd Winnetka restaurant opened by the O'Neils - American food with outdoor dining patio, plus "Club 21" featuring a wine-dispensing machine.

Wilmette

Aki Hana - 3223 West Lake 847-251-0384 - Japanese and sushi     

Akira - 1137 Greenleaf, 847-256-1133 - Japanese                                

Baker's Square - 200 Skokie Blvd, 847-256-6080 - chain restaurant with lots of pies  

Big Black Dog Tavern and Grill - 1141 Central.  Burgers & beer
Convito Cafe and Market - 1515 Sheridan Rd (Plaza del Lago) 847-251-3654 - Regional Italian and French food.  

Corner Bakery - 3232 Lake Ave., (Edens Plaza) 847-251-2547 - pasta, soups, salads, breads, and sweets

Depot Nuevo- 1139 Wilmette Ave., 847-251-3111 - Latin American inspired food in a Wilmette historic buildingFuel - 1222 Washington, 251-FUEl.  Locally sourced American-style food.  Farm-to-table for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Gilson's - 1126 Central, 847-256-2430 - casual cafe in downtown serving American food with style 
Homer's - 1237 Green Bay, 847-251-0477 - ice cream parlor, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, great for kids  Hotcakes - 1195 Wilmette, 847-256-2099. Home cooked breakfasts
J.P. McCarthy's Pizza & Grill - 509 4th St., 847-853-9999 - Pizza, bar, and casual dining near 4th and Linden
Kamakura - 116 Central St., 847-256-6783 - traditional Japanese and sushi bar - right in downtown Wilmette
The Noodle Cafe - 708 12th St., 847-251-2299 - American fusion, pasta and seafood
Panera Bread - 1199 Wilmette (just east of Metra) 847-853-8170 - chain serving bagels, soups, salads, and sandwiches
Ridgeview Grill - 827 Ridge, 847-251-2770 - American comfort food favorites  

Sea Ranch - 3217 Lake Ave, 847-256-4404.  Japanese - outstanding quality sushi

Walker Brothers Original Pancake House - 153 Green Bay, 847-251-6000 - the line is out the door on Sunday mornings!  

Wilmette Chop House - 1162 Wilmette Ave., 847-278-2462.  Classy North Shore steakhouse with live piano bar every night

Glencoe

Frank & Betsie's - 51 Green Bay, 847-446-0404 - French/California cuisine  
Guanajuanto - 73 Green Bay Rd. Glencoe, 847-242-8051 - fresh Mexican and tequila bar                        Guildhall - 694 Vernon, 847-835-8100.  Vibrant, hot reviews, busy, busy, busy
Little Red Hen - 653 Vernon,  847-835-4900 - casual spot for chicken, barbecue, pizza
Meg's Cafe - 317 Park,  847-835-2620 - small lunch cafe associated with Apple a Day Catering
Vernon's on Vernon - 667 Vernon,  847-835-6225 - casual spot for pizza, chicken, salads

Highland Park

3-Star Lung Wah - 1450 Park Ave W., 847-433-2330 - Chinese eat-in and take out
Abigail's American Bistro - 493 Roger Williams, 847-849-1009 - Neighborhood restaurant with regional foods and emphasis on freshness                                                                                                                    Barbeque Pit Rib House & Grill - 589 Elm Place, 847-432-6393.  Family owned barbeque restaurant
Bella Via - 1899 Second St., 847-681-8300 - regional Italian restaurant                                                Benjamin Tapas - 1849 2nd St., 847-748-8737.  Spanish tapas                     
                     
Bluegrass - 1636 Old Deerfield Rd., 847-831-0595 - American food with a Southern twist
Cafe Central - 455 Central, 847-266-7878 - casual atmosphere serving French food - companion restaurant to Carlos
Candles Thai Cuisine - 581 Elm Pl, 847-433-8424 - local Thai restaurant
Carlos - 429 Temple, 847-432-0770 - Zagat rated as #1 restaurant in Chicagoland - contemporary French cuisine
City Park Grill - 1791 St. Johns, 847-432-9111 - American comfort food in an upscale environment
Country Kitchen - 446 Central, 847-432-7500 - breakfast and lunch           institution serving pancakes, salads, omelets, and sandwiches
Fuddruckers - 1538 Clavey, 847-831-2501 - chain hamburger joint
Happi Sushi - 561 Roger Williams, 847-432-1516 - Japanese and sushi restaurant - since 1985                         
Hunan Pearl - 586 Roger Williams, 847-432-5410 - affordable Chinese food
Koya Japan - 508 E. Old Elm, 847-266-0891 - Japanese and sushi                                                              Jade - 600 Elm Place, 847-433-0590 - Chinese
La Casa de Isaac - 431 Temple, 847-433-5550 - Mexican food with a flair            

Las Palmas - 474 Central, 847-432-7770 - chain Mexican restaurant
Jade Cafe - 600 Elm Pl., 847-433-0590 - Chinese take-out an dine-in
Maru - 600 Central, 847-266-7302 - traditional Japanese and sushi                                         Merlo's - 581 Roger Williams, 847-266-0600 - Italian                                                        
Michael's Chicago Style Red Hots - 1879 Second St., 847-432-3338 - hot dogs, sandwiches, salad bar and wrapsMizrahi Grill - 215 Skokie Valley, 847-797-5481.  Authentic Mediterranean cuisine

Moderno - 1850 Second St., 847-433-8600 - a modern take on Italian
Norton's - 1905 Sheridan, 847-432-3287 - salads, burgers, sandwiches
Now We're Cookin' Grill - 710 Central, 847-432-7310 - Kosher carry-out barbeque
Phoenicia - 1910 First S., 847-266-9990 - Mediterranean food
Players Grill - 1855 Deerfield Rd., 847-831-4445 - sports themed dining room  - steaks, chicken, seafood, chops
Ravinia BBQ & Grill - 594 Roger Williams, 847-433-1111 - as the name says, barbeque and grill
Stash's - 1825 Second St., 847-432-5945 - casual pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches
Sushi Badaya- 600 Central, Suite 100, 847-266-7302 - specializing in gourmet maki and finest grade nigiri and sashimi                                                                                                                                   Tamales - 493 Central, 847-433-4070.  Mexican                     

That Little Mexican Cafe - -- 2014 First St., 847-266-1411 - authentic, fresh Mexican food (also in Evanston)
Yu's Szechwan - 822 Central, 847-432-8888 - small eat-in, mostly take-out Chinese

Evanston  

Evanston Restaurants - here's a link to all that Evanston has to offer     

Near By

EJ's Place - 10027 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, 847-933-9800.  Prime steaks, chops, seafood, and Italian.

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood - at Old Orchard Mall, 847-763-9811.  Seafood, steaks, poultry and pastas.

Maggiano's - at Old Orchard Mall, 847-933-9565 - family style Italian dining 

California Pizza Kitchen - at Old Orchard Mall, 847-673-1144.  Casual pizza, salads, pastas and sandwiches

Ruby Tuesday - at Old Orchard Mall, 847-967-8292

Dining Options at the Glen, in Glenview

Hackney's on Harms - 1241 Harms, Glenview, 847-724-5577 - great outside dining, burgers, salads, sandwiches

Wildfire - 1300 Patriot, Glenview, 847-657-6363.  Steaks, chops, seafood, plus salads and sandwiches.

Valley Lodge - 2132 Waukegan, Glenview, 847-724-7440,  Known as Glenview's "favorite tavern" features ribs and burgers

Szechwan North - 2857 Pfingsten, Glenview, 847-272-0007.  Gourmet Chinese food in a strip mall

Zapatista - 992 Willow, Glenview, 847-559-0939.  Rustic, updated Mexican cuisine

Meier's Tavern - 235 E. Lake, Glenview, 847-724-0477.  A farmhouse turned speakeasy turned tavern.  Great burgers, chicken, Reuben, and more.

Jameson's Char House - 2601 Navy Blvd, Glenview, 847-832-9000.  Steaks, chops, chicken, and seafood.

Charlie Beinlich's - 290 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, 847-291-0420.  Known for their hamburgers and shrimp cocktail.

Francesco's Hole in the Wall - 254 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, 847-272-0155. Charming and authentic Italian restaurant.

Prairie Grass - 601 Skokie Blvd, Northbrook, 847-205-4433.  Supports local sustainable farms and serves homemade products like handcrafted sausages, grass fed beef, specialty salads and appetizers.

P.F. Changs China Bistro - 1819 Lake Cook, Northbrook, 847-509-8844.  Great made-to-order Chinese and Asian specialties.

That about wraps it up - if I've left out your favorite restaurant, please let me know.  Bon Appetit!