Best Healthy Restaurants in The Loop

Being an executive chef in the past, I’m usually not all that impressed with restaurants. I’m frugal. I figure if I’m going to spend money on someone else to prepare my food, I’d better be making yummy noises with every bite… RARELY does that happen. For our 34th anniversary, my wife and I decided to give Russel’s a go. The atmosphere was quiet and charming, intimate. The wine selection was well suited to the menu. We started with the baked ricotta… Simple, delicious, unctuous. Main course: I ordered the pork chops, my wife ordered the pot roast. Two simple, humble, basic entrées readily found in any home kitchen. THIS was not home cooking. Both meals were visually stunning. The pot roast was melt in your mouth, delicious. The hint of sweetness form the braising reduction, paired with the light bite of the horseradish, along the the creaminess of the potatoes was a perfect bite. My meal, the pork chops, ummm… WOW! A thick double chop, that I honestly thought would be on the bland side. However, the chef was able to pull flavor all the way through the chop. Cooked to a perfect med-rare center, without the exterior becoming even a little dry and chewy is a feat, but they did it. The depth of flavor was amazing, tasting different nuances in every bite. Yes, I made yummy noises with every bite, my apologies to the table next to us. As a chef, I’m usually left searching for that “extra something” in my food… it’s called “love”. The back of the house staff is obviously very skilled, producing an incredible plate, but they also put their heart into their craft, giving that “extra something” that we crave. Hat’s off, knives down to you Russel’s on Macklind. You’ve made this chef very happy.

More authentic Mexican than most. Service was outstanding as usual. Comfortable, friendly place.

We absolutely loved our evening there. The food and service were outstanding. We will definitely be back. We are also spreading the word!

We had a lovely evening. The food & service were excellent. However, the music was a little loud. As more diners arrived, they needed to raise their voices in order to have conversation. That was annoying but something easy to rectify.

French onion soup was good. Caesar salad good but heavy on the dressing. Prices were a little high. Service was outstanding, very personable staff members.