One and a half years ago, Parachute had not yet opened in the North Side Avondale neighborhood. Now, just 15 months after the restaurant debuted, it has been named one of the best new restaurants in the country.
Bon Appetit magazine published its "Hot 10" list of America's best new restaurants this year, and Parachute came in at No. 5. The magazines describes the Korean-American restaurant as a "mom-and-pop shop gone delectably rogue."
The restaurant was praised for its "bing bread," slightly greasy flat bread loaded with potato, bacon and scallions and served with sour-cream butter. Bon Appetit restaurant editor Andrew Knowlton also highlighted Parachute's bibimbap, a classic Korean rice dish that is served with a twist at Parachute.
The North Side restaurant, located at 3500 N. Elston Ave., is owned by husband-wife team Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark. In its first year, it was named "Restaurant of the Year" by Eater Chicago and was chosen as a finalist for the 2015 James Beard "Best New Restaurant" award.
Another Chicago restaurant — Dove's Luncheonette in Wicker Park — was among the top 50 nominations for Bon Appetit's "Hot 10" list, but the restaurant did not make the final cut.
The "Hot 10" list, in descending order, includes Milktooth in Indianapolis; Manolin in Seattle; Rintaro in San Francisco; Kindred in Davidson, North Carolina; Dai Due in Austin; Parachute in Chicago; Semilla in Brooklyn, New York; Petit Trois in Los Angeles; Gjusta in Los Angeles; and AL's Place in San Francisco.
