Rood

"Open for: Happy hour, dinnerPrice range: $$$$Rood, which has graced this list in years prior, has earned its way back thanks to recent developments. New ownership by Vessel Hospitality, the group behind Cloak and Dagger, and fresh culinary talent in the kitchen has given this Lakewood jewel a revived sense of purpose. Star pastry chef Annabella Andricks has joined rising-star chef Josh Erickson in the kitchen, where they deliver seasonal Midwestern fare in a vibey lounge-like setting. Diners can expect plenty of vegetables and eclectic small plates, like za’atar-rubbed roasted carrots, togarashi-spiced mussels, and charred octopus with housemade chorizo. Andricks packs the dessert list with decadent pies like maple miso pie topped with sesame praline crumble or salt and honey pie served with bee pollen.Best for: Happy hour, when there are some truly great deals on food and cocktails." - Douglas Trattner

"Is it a chill corner bar, or charming date-night spot to share sweets? Is it for feeding the parents, or some outside-of-the-office hanging with your coworkers? We say yes, to all. The pie options rotate, but the only stationary slice is the best: the salt and honey, a gooey hunk of wildflower honey custard accessorized with a tiny vial of bee pollen. If you assume that a place with killer pies wouldn’t put much effort into the rest of its menu, the lamb meatballs stuffed with truffled cow’s milk and citrus-charred octopus prove otherwise. Their marquee sign shines down a modern-day scripture: “Pie will never give you up or let you down, but it will dessert you.” " - kate bigam kaput

"Is it a chill corner bar, or charming date-night spot to share sweets? Is it for feeding the parents, or some outside-of-the-office hanging with your coworkers? We say yes, to all. The pie options rotate, but the only stationary slice is the best: the salt and honey, a gooey hunk of wildflower honey custard accessorized with a tiny vial of bee pollen. If you assume that a place with killer pies wouldn’t put much effort into the rest of its menu, the lamb meatballs stuffed with truffled cow’s milk and citrus-charred octopus prove otherwise. Their marquee sign shines down a modern-day scripture: “Pie will never give you up or let you down, but it will dessert you.”" - Kate Bigam Kaput

"In March 2020, Rood was just hitting its stride. The unique slider-and-pie shop was generating big buzz for its food, setting, and communal dining style. COVID put an end to the party. What came out on the other side was an entirely new menu, helmed by whiz Rachelle Murphy. Her seasonal menu shuns tedious standards in favor of big-flavored compositions like sweet corn crabcakes with pepper jam, roasted beet salad with smoked whipped mascarpone, and wagyu beef-stuffed tortellini. The shop’s famous pies made the jump to the new menu too, with fat slices of brown-buttery Salt and Honey served with a vial of crunchy bee pollen for topping." - Douglas Trattner