We crave hot, new restaurants for two reasons; they're fun and they feed us. Finally, there is a restaurant in the West Loop that covers the important things. Forget stuffy hostesses telling you to come back in four months, or rooms full of people craning their necks and their over-sized earrings hoping to catch a glance of a celebrity chef. Pork Chop opened recently in the city's restaurant playground, and it's the real deal. If you're looking for fun times and serious eats, Pork Chop is the most accessible way to get both in the West Loop. We're loving the welcoming, attentive service, the mega-chill outdoor seating, and the seemingly infinite selection of craft whiskies. Don't know what to wear? Follow our lead and keep it casual-yet-chic with a flow-y white T-shirt that's anything but basic, some of-the-moment patterned shorts, platforms, and classic silver and turquoise jewelry. Have you noticed we haven't even mentioned the food yet? The namesake dish is a must-try, but please, please pay close attention to the smashed potatoes, halibut fish sticks, and sausage lollipops. Yeah, it's like that.
Pork Chop, 941 West Randolph Street (between Sangamon & Morgan Streets); 312-733-9333.
Boxy Tee by Rubbish, $19 (originally $34), available at Nordstrom. Ocean Multi Color Zig Zag Knitted Shorts by Missoni, $486 (originally $695), available at Stylebop. Collared Piece Necklace, $6.99, available at Forever21. Papparazzi wedge by MIA, $70, available at Lori's. Hypnose mascara by Lancome, $25, available at Lancome.