The cooking prowess of two chefs named Dan (Van Rite and Jacobs) and their rogue take on Chinese cuisine (schmaltz fried rice, mung bean-kimchee pancake) propelled the Third Ward’s Dandan to the crown here (360 E. Erie St.). It doesn’t hurt that Dandan has another restaurant on its premises called EsterEv, open Friday-Saturday nights and serving a 10-course prix-fixe menu.
On its heels is Tre Rivali at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel (200 N. Broadway), powered by the one-two punch of “ingredient-driven” Mediterranean flair and its executive chef – former “Top Chef” contestant Heather Terhune.
Third place goes to, well, Third Coast Provisions (724 N. Milwaukee St.), which makes good on its promise of modern, delicious seafood preps in an elegant setting. We should say a dual-pronged setting. There’s a separate oyster bar in Third Coast’s lower level where the menu includes (of course!) raw shellfish, and also po’ boys, lobster roll sliders, tacos and more.
No. 1 New Restaurant Dandan “has quickly become a favorite” for food that’s “meant to be shared. It’s fun to eat this way because you get to try the whole menu. My friends and I were just talking about needing a Dandan schmaltz fried rice fix!” – Tracey Sheasby
FAVORITE NEW RESTAURANT (OPENED 2016-2017)
- Dandan (360 E. Erie St.)
- Tre Rivali at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel (200 N. Broadway)
- Third Coast Provisions (724 N. Milwaukee St.)
2017 Readers’ Choice Awards
Our readers said what? Our annual dining survey is at its revealing best. You’ll want to know the results!
