from-scratch

At Blackbird, it's hard to tell whether the combinations of décor or cuisine are more strange.

The Birchwood Café is located in a converted creamery and grocery store, and still carries the retro ambiance. The fare is sleek and inventive for all three meals.

Be'wiched is a hip venue for pumped-up sandwiches. Its owners have taken their experience with fine food and applied it to pastrami sandwiches and pasta salad.

Broder's makes their own pasta and cooks it fresh in plain sight at their 50th and Penn restaurant.

This place is Michael McKay's (from the Sample Room) very own. The fare is good ol' fashioned American comfort food for breakfast through dinner, using lots of organic and local products.

Chef Mike Phillips focuses on regional cuisine his Arts & Crafts themed East Lake Street restaurant.