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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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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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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Pan-Asian cuisine focused on Chinese and Korean food. Where else can you get hot dog stir fry?

Shanghai Inn

Typical Chinese menu with reliable delivery service and many fans.

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T Spot on Lincoln Ave. Photo from MLS.

T Spot, the sushi and tea cafe at 3925 N. Lincoln Ave., has been listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service.

The listing for the restaurant owned by Jasmin and Llena Ortega and Adrian Capetian asks for $89,900 and was posted last week.

The building is owned by a different party.

Pork tenderloin with sweet potato mash (top) and "Chiles Rellenos Mariscos" with spicy green rice. Credit: Victoria Wiedel

Dorado Restaurant (tucked away at 2301 W. Foster Ave.) is often referred to as a “hidden gem” by its fans who appreciate Chef Luis Perez’s unique take on fusion cuisine. The chef claims the cuisine is a blend of Mexican and French influences, but I found that Mediterranean flavors stood out during a recent visit with friends.

We started with the self-named Dorado Nachos ($8.95), which layer freshly fried corn chips with smoked duck, black beans, guacamole and lime sauce. The nachos are certainly worthy of a recommendation, but I found myself hoarding the special jicama salad ($8.95) we also ordered. Its lime dressing represented the Mexican end of the spectrum, but the fresh basil was the memorable touch that led me to try and recreate the salad at home.

French cuisine sometimes signifies skimpy portions to people, but Dorado serves hefty entrees that are both filling and flavorful. The entrees also have hefty prices considering the location, but the spot is BYOB ($2 corkage fee per person).

On this visit we tried the pork tenderloin with brandy-guajillo chile sauce ($19.95), the Carne Asada with chipotle sauce ($21.95), and the Chiles Rellenos, which were stuffed with a mixed seafood filling ($22.95). Most land animals on the menu are accompanied by a lip-smacking sweet potato mash (curiously spiced with oregano) and fresh vegetables. While I was pleasantly surprised that the stuffed chiles were not deadened by a deep-fried batter, the flavors were disappointingly subtle when compared to the other dishes.

Mmmmmm...Tres Leches cake! Credit: Victoria Wiedel

We shrewdly saved room for Dorado’s house-made desserts ($7 each) by requesting to-go containers. I have soft spot for Tres Leches cake (everyone should try the moist confection at some point in their lives) and one of my companions is a connoisseur of bread pudding. Neither one of us was disappointed.

The French influence comes through most in the sauces, which is not surprising given Chef Perez’s training and experience in Chicago fine dining establishments. And his tightly run open kitchen provides an added bonus of entertainment and speculation during dinner. The restaurant describes its atmosphere as “cozy and festive,” but some diners might find the artwork to be less-than-authentic. Service is generally competent, pleasant and helpful, but the noise levels can turn date-night into a shouting match when the restaurant is full.

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Pizza D.O.C. Oven

When Carol Himmel and her sister Diana Himmel-Krewer assumed ownership of Pizza D.O.C. (2251 W. Lawrence Ave.) four years ago after running a catering business, they had to re-imagine their dreams of owning a restaurant.

“We always knew we would run a restaurant together, but we thought it would be German!” said Carol. On the cusp of celebrating their anniversary, the two sisters took a break in their busy schedules to give Center Square Journal a history lesson and explain why their restaurant is more than just a business to them.

Diana and Carol Himmel

The restaurant originally opened in 1999 with the first wood-burning pizza oven in the city and soon became a popular neighborhood destination. The sisters took a chance in 2007 when the restaurant was for sale, and despite their lack of experience with Italian cuisine, they tackled the challenge of running a business in a struggling economy with gusto. Their determination, love of food, seemingly endless supply of energy and genuinely warm welcome has seen them through some tough times, and created a small legion of fans.

A big factor in their success is family. Their father built and helped install the new bar that features authentic German glasses and a beer tapper from Hofbräu, and three of Diana’s children work in the restaurant. “This is the best thing that could have happened to us. The restaurant brought us together and now we can see each other all the time” said Diana.

Patrons pack into Pizza D.O.C. Photo by Victoria Wiedel.

They credit their mother with teaching them how to cook, “not from recipes, but from experience” explained Carol. This disciplined approach helped when they first started the catering business. When I ignorantly asked why there was no bacon in the German potato salad, Carol politely corrected me. “This is real potato salad from Bavaria. This is exactly how my mother made it.”

Their parents emigrated in 1958 from Germany to make some money and then return to their Bavarian homeland. But after establishing a successful auto body repair business and ties to the community they decided to stay.

A hint of their past can be found by looking up in the restaurant. The exposed ductwork was custom painted at the auto body shop to match the décor. But their vision for the business includes more than just a makeover.

The siblings are livening things up by hosting open mike nights on Thursdays and live music on Fridays. The Lenten Friday fish fry special ($12.99 for cod and perch or $15.99 for the “fisherman’s platter” that includes shrimp, scallops) will be extended due to customer demand. You can catch Chef Carol on the WGN mid-day news on Tuesday, April 12 when she demonstrates how to make the Lenten fish fry and German potato salad.

The Lenten Friday fish fry special will be extended due to customer demand. Photo by Victoria Wiedel.

The changes also include a redesigned website and embracing social media tools to help the restaurant attract patrons. You can become a fan of the restaurant on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter to learn more about their specials and events. This summer they plan to take part in the Farmers’ Market again and Carol would like to start offering specials during the week based on seasonal produce.

Incidentally, the letters D.O.C. stand for ”Denominazione di Origine Controllata” — an Italian quality assurance label for food products and wines. I can’t think of an equivalent phrase in German, but everything the sisters do from choosing ingredients, planning menus, hosting parties and participating in community events demonstrates that they have embraced the philosophy behind the saying.

The Italian restaurant with German flair now strikes a balance between date-night-destination and the place you can take your extended family and appease them all. They will be celebrating their fourth anniversary throughout the month of May with $4 drink and appetizer specials. Carol also noted (with a wink) that Diana will be celebrating a significant birthday next month. Be sure to stop by and congratulate them on their success. I’m confident you too will feel like you are part of the extended Pizza D.O.C. family.