The Chef Behind Peach's and the Obama Center's Food Shares His Chicago Favorites
Lisa Futterman
September 8, 2026
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Every month, people from Chicago's hospitality industry share recommendations for food, drink, ingredients, and more as part of our Chef Picks series.
Chef Cliff Rome is part of one of the biggest openings of the year: Tafari’s Kitchen, the restaurant at the new Obama Presidential Center in Hyde Park. But the Englewood native has been a force in Bronzeville for years, providing hospitality training programs through his non-profit Mise En Place, delighting the community with salmon croquettes and grits at Peach’s, and running Parkway Social, a co-working lounge in the iconic Parkway Ballroom.
We asked Chef Rome to share his tips for locals and visitors to Chicago.
Favorite restaurant
Favorite dish
Branzino from Gibsons
Favorite place to drink
RL Restaurant and Bavette's for cocktails
Favorite place to buy ingredients
Green City Market, Chicago Game and Gourmet, Pete's Fresh Market
Favorite local Chicago brand
The Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls
Favorite place in the city to bring an out-of-town guest
A person in the industry you admire
Donnie Madia of One Off Hospitality. He is incredibly genuine and has a great perspective; every time I see him, it takes me back to the ’90s when we first met.
