Look for the big awning and neon, or just follow your nose, to Big Bricks in NorthCenter. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

I am an impatient diner. When I’m ready to eat, I don’t want to wait more than 5 minutes for a table. Plus, I want tasty food at a reasonable price served by friendly people in a warm environment. And I want good beer. That may sound like a tall order, but Big Bricks (3832 N. Lincoln Avenue) knows how to meet my list of demands.

In the beginning of 2012, Lincoln Park’s famed Bricks Pizza immigrated to Northcenter and brought along a wood-burning Oyler smoking pit in its luggage. So not only can you get succulent house-smoked pork and chicken on a sandwich ($10), you can have them as a topping on your pizza ($12 for a 10-inch pie). There are several other specialty pizzas to choose from (including vegetarian options) along side regional cuisine like smoked shrimp and grits ($9) and “Tacos del Dia” ($2 each or 6 for $8).

While it’s nice to have these other options, the real focus at Big Bricks is meat, meat and more meat. You can get a very satisfying portion of brisket, pulled pork or a half a chicken for $13, but hungry-man-sized appetites will gravitate towards the platters of ribs ($16 for a half slab – dry or wet) or the Combo – all the aforementioned animals plus a hot link for $23.

Big Bricks has jumped on the pedigree potato wagon and relies on the Kennebec variety for its hand-cut fries, which accompany platters and sandwiches or can be ordered separately with the house-made cheese sauce ($6) or pulled pork ($9). The Potato Association of America proclaims Kennebec potatoes’ “reputation for good culinary quality is well known” and notes that they are the go-to spud for the potato chip industry. Ubiquitous BBQ sides are also offered, but none of them stand out on their own.

Some of the more vegetarian options at the restaurant better known for meat, meat and more meat. Credit: Victoria Weidel

To wash it all down, Big Bricks typically offers 16 draft beers ($6-$8) plus 20 other domestic and European beers in cans and bottles ($4-$11). A small selection of wines is available by the bottle or glass ($7-$8). And is you have room, there are a handful of devastating desserts that will induce a food coma.

You can be forgiven if you haven’t spotted Big Bricks before, or for thinking that a new restaurant called “Berliner Beer” opened on the corner of Lincoln and Berenice Avenues. But now that you know where to find tasty, reasonably priced food in an inviting space with a great beer selection, please don’t crowd the place. I don’t want to have to wait long for a table in the future.

Lobster Pad Thai (pictured below) rewards all the senses but other non-signature dishes such as Tom Yum Noodles (at the top) are less interesting. Credit: Victoria Weidel

Northcenter’s hub of international cuisine along Lincoln Avenue south of Irving Park Road includes an Irish bistro, a sprawling sushi spot, a newly revamped Colombian grill and the only Hawaiian restaurant I’ve seen in the city. Now that Namo (3900 N. Lincoln Ave.) has moved into the corner of Byron Street, add Thai cuisine to that list.

The owners, the Rachatawarn sisters, said they wanted to create a spot where diners should “be prepared for the unification of tradition and authentic taste with a new modern interpretation.” The interior space lives up to that promise. The urban loft feel is offset by bamboo rice-winnowing baskets on the walls and fish catchers that surround the lights.

The not-overwhelming menu features the usual suspects: red, green panang and massaman curries with a choice of protein ($9-$11); papaya salad ($7); Tom Yum soup ($7); and noodle dishes served with or without broth ($8-$10). To my knowledge, there is no secret menu of regional delicacies that you need to research ahead of time.

I recommend focusing on the interesting list of appetizers, the sisters’ interpretation of Thai street food, and the restaurant’s signature dishes. If you enjoy the small plates dining trend, you could combine the grilled pork skewers ($7), melt-in-your-mouth chive cakes ($6), spicy meat balls ($6), “Sea Bags” seafood dumplings ($8), and mozzarella cheese crab sticks ($7) into a delightful buffet. Just don’t laugh when you order the Sea Bags – they taste better than they sound.

The signature entrees come with a heftier price tag ($14-18) but provide a rewarding feast for the senses. Lobster Pad Thai ($16) and Pineapple Duck ($18) are boldly presented, and it’s almost regrettable that they have to be disturbed (but you’ll get over that when you start eating). Other entrees were disappointing in both presentation and flavor compared with the signature dishes.

http://www.namothaicuisine.com/

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A hearty seafood potpie (left) and the grilled sturgeon with creamy bacon sauce vie for attention. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

Glenn’s Diner, 1820 W. Montrose Ave., is known for two things: fresh fish and cereal boxes. Every night, at least 16 varieties of seafood are listed in the appetizers and entrees posted on the chalkboards that line the restaurant’s walls. If you’re looking for sturgeon, salmon, snapper, catfish, mackerel, skate wing, marlin, halibut, perch, tuna, barramundi, walleye, shrimp, scallops, mussels or crab legs on the North Side, this is the place to be.

But the freshness comes with a corresponding price tag reflective of the high-quality ingredients, with dinner entrees in the $20-$28 range. The self-proclaimed “best deal in town” is served between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and includes a half-pound of fresh fish accompanied by sides of roasted red potatoes, fresh veggies and a cup of soup or salad for $17. Other specials include “All You Can Eat” Alaskan King Crab legs on Tuesdays and “U-Peel-Em” shrimp on Thursdays.

Lunch is also served, but that menu leans towards the classics (such as Cobb Salads for $8, and burgers and sandwiches under $10). During the week, I suggest splurging for a lobster roll ($16) or Shrimp Po’ Boy ($12) to take advantage of Glenn’s strengths.

Over the years, Glenn’s Diner has earned a well-deserved reputation as a destination brunch spot on the weekends by serving outstanding food and a Bloody Mary that qualifies as a meal itself. But some folks swear by the cereal – more than 20 choices served in a chilled bowl with fresh fruit for less than $5 (second and third helpings of cereal are free but extra milk costs $1.59). Other traditional breakfast items are served throughout the day, accompanied by crave-worthy potato pancakes instead of frozen hash browns.

Glenn’s does allow BYOB for $5 even though craft beers (prices vary) and several wines ($8 per glass, $33 per bottle) are available to order. The diner side of things shows through in the desserts (not in a good way – save your calories and funds for nearby cafes if you have a sweet tooth) and casual yet friendly service.

Glenn’s Diner is also known for its long wait times so do yourself a favor and call ahead to make a reservation. You don’t want to be one of those people with their backs pressed up against the chalkboard like a police line-up waiting for a table.

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Delicias Brianna has already expanded its menu with "home cooking" style specialties. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

If this restaurant had cheeks I would pinch them and squeal, “You’re so adorable!” That was my first thought when I walked into the newly redecorated space that until recently was inhabited by Buen Sabor.

But a restaurant can’t survive on good looks alone, especially considering this off-the-beaten-path location. I’m happy to report that Delicias Brianna (4911 N. Western Ave.) offers a tasty mix of Salvadoran and Guatemalan dishes that are satisfying and a great value, in a cozy setting with friendly service.

The menu presents choices between antojitos–small dishes in the $2-$3 range, such as pupusas (picture flat, stuffed tacos), tostadas and tamales–and more substantial platillos fuertes, meat-based entrees in the $8-$12 range. If you have trouble deciding, try the taco dinner ($6) or the Delcias Brianna Platter ($11), which includes a pupusa, empanada, doblada (beef-stuffed fried taco), chucito (pork-filled tamale), chicken taquito and some yucca frita.

Speaking of value, a “5 for $40” family meal, with five servings of the four most popular antojitos and a plate of yucca is available. Breakfast dishes ($5) are available starting at 10 a.m. on weekends and $6 lunch specials are offered on weekdays. Owners plan to expand the menu with fish and seafood dishes soon.

While there are some similarities between Delicias Brianna and its predecessor (especially since there aren’t many Central American restaurants in the immediate area), it’s obvious that the current ownership takes a great deal of pride in their operation. It’s named after their daughter who weighed under 2 pounds when she was born prematurely (she’s a healthy toddler now), which should be enough to tug your heart strings a few blocks north of Lawrence to give the restaurant a try.

As a fan of pupusas and adorable joints run by people who patiently answer all my questions about the menu, I am now on a one-woman mission to encourage Lincoln Square diners to venture a few blocks north.

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Small lentil soup, from the Mediterranean Grill, arguably the best item on the menu, pureed with onions and spices. Comes with an entree or by itself with pita bread. To drink: strong Persian Tea. Credit: Erica Wiley

Ignore the mundane restaurant name and the strange shotgun-style space, and give Mediterranean Grill and Cuisine a try. After more than a few visits, Mediterranean Grill, 4609 N. Lincoln Ave., is my favorite restaurant in Lincoln Square and is definitely one of my top ten favorite Chicago restaurants.

A short walk from my apartment, I hit Mediterranean Grill for dinner dates, to grab some carry-out, and solo for lunch. Each time is a delight.

Finding a great lunch spot before noon is usually difficult, if not impossible, which is why I often make a beeline for The Grill, which opens at 11:00 a.m. Monday through Sunday (and closes at 10:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday). For lunch, they offer a lunch special between until 3:00, with your choice of beef or chicken shawarma or baba ganoush with a tomato or veggie sampler. Generous side servings of hummus and pita bread are standard.

Potato Chop, as an appetizer, three potatoes stuffed with beef, onion and spices on a bed of vegetables. Credit: Erica Wiley

My Mediterranean Grill standby, however, is the lentil soup with the potato chop as an appetizer. Do not leave without trying the lentil soup, especially nice on cold, blustery days. The flavorful soup is made up of soft lentils pureed with vegetables, finely bits of onion and a mild Middle Eastern spice. Entrees, which average around $13, comes with your choice of soup and pita bread.

As an appetizer, the potato chop comes with three breaded potatoes stuffed with beef and onion and spices on a bed of radishes, lettuce and a carrot for color. With the soup and the potato chop, I usually order the Persian Tea, bringing my bill to a very affordable $12 before gratuity.

Mediterranean Grill is BYOB, with no corking fee. They also have free WiFi but no website for the restaurant.

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El Tipico restaurant has re-opened across from its former location on Foster Avenue. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

The word “típico” is defined two ways in Spanish: (1) typical, as in characteristic and (2) quaint; picturesque and full of local color. The recently re-opened El Típico Mexican restaurant at 1905 W. Foster Ave. meets both definitions.

The menu is typical of other Mexican-American restaurants with an emphasis on enchiladas, fajitas, and combination platters that most diners will find familiar. For the most part chicken and beef are the filling choices, but there are a few shrimp and fish dishes as well as several vegetarian options. Most dinners run in the $12-$15 range and are accompanied by the ubiquitous rice and beans and small lettuce-avocado-tomato salad that you can find just about anywhere.

Chicken enchiladas and vegetable fajitas make for a filling, although not entirely exciting, meal. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

There are some nice touches, like a choice between flour or corn tortillas and flavorful table salsas, but my dining companions and I did not find the food to be very memorable. And at these prices, I would rather get my fix at one of the local taquerias.

But I do understand why several neighbors have eagerly awaited for El Típico to reincarnate itself across the street from its former location. The restaurant’s environs are definitely full of color and very welcoming, offering plenty of space for couples as well as families and groups. Service is smooth, competent and very friendly.

Currently they are BYOB while they wait for their liquor license.

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Part of the eponymous menu. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

As Chalkboard restaurant, 4343 N. Lincoln Ave., approaches its fifth anniversary, I would like to thank Chef Gil Langlois for staying the course and continuing to offer refined comfort food that allows the flavors of high-quality meat, seafood and vegetables to shine French preparations with a Southern comfort twist

I’m not a fan of the molecular gastronomy movement, and I don’t enjoy meals that feel like a visit to a theme park, so I really appreciate the restaurant’s respect for ingredients. When you order a beet salad at Chalkboard, you get a mound of paper-thin beet shaving simply dressed and ready to stain your shirt. And when you order the tomato soup, you get roasted tomato bisque served with a toasted Bleu Cheese sandwich (because Chef Gil is French).

The infamous Southern Fried Chicken (top) and traditional Bouillabaisse (bottom) are complimented by a nice bottle of wine. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

Chalkboard’s most beloved menu item is the Southern fried chicken served with collard greens, a mountain of buttermilk mashed potatoes and smothered in white sausage gravy. This may be a French restaurant, but you wouldn’t know that from the portion sizes. The bill can add up during dinner service, but the restaurant runs different specials (such as kids eat free from 4 – 7 p.m. and half-price wine on Mondays).

That being said, Chef Langlois doesn’t shy away from getting creative with the dishes. Believe it or not, the dry-packed scallops served with sugar cured Kalamata olives, vanilla bean “mayo” and roasted walnuts is a combination that actually works. Perhaps that is because the ingredients are left to compliment, instead of compete against, each other.

The dessert list is never lengthy, but there is usually something that can tempt the table into sharing something sweet to cap off dinner. However, I’ve never been enticed to order the chocolate chip cookie dough eggroll, despite the promise of housemade caramel sauce.

The restaurant’s environs are equally comforting, although I can understand why some diners do not care for the unconventional chalkboard menu that vaguely states “salmon” and “mushroom salad.” It can be awkward (depending on your seat) to view and interpret the current menu, but the affable server never seems to mind my interrogation.

You can also try the fried chicken (along with waffles and something called a Duck McMuffin) during Sunday brunch, or lift your pinky during weekend afternoon tea service. The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.

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Take advantage of Rockwell's inviting patio area while the weather is still nice. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

Rockwell’s Neighborhood Grill (4632 N. Rockwell Ave.) manages to meet a variety of dining needs while quietly humming along as a neighborhood watering hole.

• Need a place you can take your parents that has flavorful food, but not too spicy?
• Tired of trying in vain to find vegetarian options at a burger bar?
• Want to go out as a family, but you don’t want to have to eat chicken fingers too?

Rockwell’s is a great place to take a diverse group when you are trying to appease demanding diners. It’s location off the beaten path in Lincoln Square also makes it a great date night spot, or game day hangout if you don’t want to be bothered by yahoos on a Lincoln Avenue pub crawl. I’m particularly drawn there for brunch, which seems to be available most of the day on the weekends.

Rockwell's southwestern brunch menu features omelets and tacos. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

The menu tends to skew southwestern (as in honey chipotle chicken tacos for $10 and breakfast burritos for $8), but the range of sandwiches and burgers offers something for everyone – including vegetarians who can substitute a Gardenburger patty in any of the creative combos. I can’t recommend the southeastern experiments (such as the Louisiana Eggrolls filled with blackened chicken and andouille sausage for $8) as highly, but I appreciate that they provide blackened and/or grilled versions of their proteins.

The transition to new ownership hasn’t been embraced by everyone, but I will always welcome a revamped craft beer list and more options for healthy choices, so you won’t hear me complaining. Try to get there while prime al fresco dining weather is still with us. Rockwell’s has one of the most pleasant, tree-lined, car-free patios where you can enjoy brunch or dinner. But watch out for the bold squirrels who are lurking nearby.

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Jimmy (top) readies a slice for the oven while his pleasant assistant wrestles with another. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

Everyone has an opinion about pizza. I’m from Wisconsin, so my opinion about pizza is that it is a good thing no matter what form it takes. Most other people have stronger opinions about the shape of the pieces, what’s on top, how the dough is made, and how it’s baked.

Those of you searching for New York-style pizza can rejoice now that Jimmy’s Pizza Café has opened (5159 N. Lincoln Ave.), taking over the former Crema space on the busy Foster Avenue corner. Here pizza is sold by the pre-made slice (around $3), or in 20” pies with a wide variety of topping choices (starting at $20). The large slices are perfect for folding like a taco while eating (which is the way I told they should be eaten), and filling enough for a quick lunch.

Heartier appetites will appreciate the two-slices-and-a-canned-soda deal ($7), and healthier appetites will gravitate towards the fresh salads in the case (Jimmy’s House Salad for $7 includes generous portions of toasted walnuts, gorgonzola cheese, and dried cranberries). You can mix-and-match slices based on what’s available, and you’ll want to make one of those the “White” ones if you love garlic.

Slices are reheated in one of those large, conveyor-belt toaster ovens, which isn’t a bad thing as long as the pie hasn’t been sitting out for a while. Ingredients seem to be very high quality, so if you’re worried about freshness you might want to call ahead or order a whole pie.

Stromboli (bottom left) bides its time while the "White" and sausage pies rest in the warming case. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

It looks like Jimmy isn’t afraid to branch out (I heard he’s selling wings now), and on a recent visit we sampled the “breakfast pizza” (foccacia with a variety of breakfast meats…$$$) and a spinach Stromboli (the calzone’s longer, flakier cousin) $$$.

For some reason Jimmy also makes beignets (rhymes with BenGay but tastes much better), which are deep-fried pillows of dough liberally dusted with powdered sugar ($2.75 for an order of 3). But I’m going to save room next time for the “Ginormaongous Choco-chip” cookie ($1.75). Beverage options are limited to canned/bottled drinks plus Intelligentsia coffees. Jimmy’s is NOT a BYOB establishment.

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Marmalade took over the space formerly occupied by Le Sabre. Credit: Patty Wetli.

I love breakfast foods. I would eat breakfast three meals a day, seven days a week if I could. So when my friend invited me along to Marmalade, 1969 W. Montrose St., I was thrilled to try something new.

We ventured over on a Saturday morning at about 10:00, just early enough to beat the crowd. I was greeted at the door by a wonderful host, who promptly seated me and brought me a cup off coffee and made sure I knew where the breakfast specials were. As I waited for my friend, my eyes started to wonder around the restaurant, taking in what other people were eating and ogling the fresh-baked pastries.

My friend arrived and the server immediately was at the table offering her something to drink. As a former breakfast server myself, I tend to be a bit overcritical when I eat out in restaurants, but I was more than pleased with our waitress. My coffee cup was always full and she was attentive without being overbearing.

All of Marmalade’s brioche for their french toast is made in-house. I was immediately drawn to their cinnamon-swirl brioche french toast topped with berries and vanilla cream and my friend ordered the simply hotcakes topped the same way. And of course we had apple wood smoked bacon. I could not believe my eyes when the food came to the table. There were three slices of french toast with the cream layered in between topped with fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries and fresh cherries that must have been almost a foot high and almost to pretty to eat. My friend’s pancakes must have been almost a half an inch thick. I’ve never seen such fluffy pancakes!

The restaurant itself has a very open feel and has a lot of light coming in. As we were getting ready to leave, it did start to get loud, but the restaurant is small and that is to be expected. The decor was simple and the layout  made it easy to navigate to the bathrooms and out the door when we were done with our meal.

While the prices are a bit higher than most places for breakfast it was worth every penny for fresh ingredients. We left more than full and extremely happy.  I look forward to going back to Marmalade and trying something different for breakfast and for lunch.