If you're looking for a quiet, cozy (and amazingly delicious) place to go this weekend, eat your heart out. Takashi, a French-American restaurant with Japanese influences, is the ultimate place to dine with a date. Whether it's your significant other, an "it's complicated" on Facebook, or your best foodie friend, dinner for two was meant for Takashi. Prefer al fresco? If we're lucky enough to get a day that isn't raining, we highly recommend eating outside. Although the patio is small and first come, first serve, it's worth the wait. The food is interesting enough to discuss with your date, but not too over-the-top that you have no idea what you're eating. With a variety of small plates that are great for sharing, it's tempting to just order everything on the menu. But most of us don't have stomachs (or wallets) that big, so you should take our word for it and at least order the spicy octopus salad and the sautéed South Carolina soft-shell crab. And for those who aren't satisfied unless there's dessert involved (guilty!), order the milk-chocolate sticky cake. Let's just say there's chocolate, bananas, and a graham-cracker ice cream involved. We'll leave it at that.
Takashi, 1952 North Damen Avenue (at Armitage Avenue); 773-772-6170.">Takashi, 1952 North Damen Avenue (at Armitage Avenue); 773-772-6170.