Healthy eating spots such as Mariano’s, Yard House, Nando’s Peri Peri, Earl’s Kitchen & Bar can be found in New City Complex, the new development area at the dynamic intersection of North Avenue, Clybourn, and Halsted.

These places are popping up everywhere from the downtown area to residential havens like Lincoln Park.

The complex offers several restaurants that vary in style and cuisine. It boasts Chicago’s largest Mariano’s, a grocery store with eateries including a sushi bar, wood-fired pizza oven, and an Italian coffee shop. City goers in the complex have convenient access to high quality products in this store, which has led to the cateries’ rise. As soon as I walked into the complex, I was greeted by the red-green Mariano’s sign and an abundance of multicolored restaurants.

Along with Mariano’s comes the recently opened restaurant chain called Yard House.  The opening of Yard House in the complex, the first in Chicago, has beckoned two more openings of the chain. It features classic American-style cuisine, ranging from burgers and steak to seafood, and 110 beers on tap.

Yard House was the first restaurant I dined at, and I was impressed straightaway by the comfortable atmosphere and range of American gourmet with a twist. Seventies’ rock is a staple at night. Waiters dressed in soft patterns swing around the bar and wooden tables taking orders and delivering delicious food. My two tacos came swiftly, and were perfectly spiced and flavorful.

After a successful meal at Yard House, I was eager to check out the other culinary options. There are 5 other major ones–Nando’s Peri Peri, Earl’s Kitchen & Bar, Adobe Gilas, Lyfe Kitchen, and IT’Sugar. Nando’s Peri Peri is another chain, this one based in South Africa and known for its Afro-Portuguese flamed grilled chicken marinated in spicy peri-peri sauce. The restaurants are located in 23 other countries, and New City features one of its only American locations.

I came back and tried Earl’s Kitchen & Bar for lunch. As soon as I stepped foot into the restaurant, I was greeted by enthusiastic faces and led to a table right away. Its marble-beige interior complimented suede chairs, and light poured in from the giant floor-to-ceiling windows. Our waitress introduced herself and showed us a delicious array of non-alcoholic cocktails.

The menu itself is big–several types of cuisine and courses are splashed on a red and white background. I decided on the Santa Fe Chicken Salad and a passion fruit cocktail, which both came punctually. While the presentation of the salad was pleasing, I thought it was overdressed, and the quality of the cajun chicken was below average.

I definitely enjoyed the food from Yard House more than Earl’s, but both have fun atmospheres and menus that will satisfy most people. The two restaurants are located across from each other in the circular complex.

Restaurants are not the only attraction of the complex – Chicagoans can also live in the residential buildings, enjoy a night at the movies or bowling alley, and shop for clothes. Its location and vibrant nature has drawn in many people, and it continues to develop.

While walking around, you may get a futuristic feel from its ambiance. All of the culinary, shopping, and entertainment outlets–which feature a movie theater and bowling alley–are inside or nearby the actual complex, and completely walkable when moving from place to place. I ended up going to a movie at its Century theater and visiting the candy store across the street, named IT’Sugar in bright pink letters.

There is such a range of pleasures to appreciate at New City Complex, even if you’re not one for outlet-like areas. Definitely give Yard House, IT’Sugar, and Nando’s Peri Peri a visit if you can. I would say that the restaurants are the main attraction–and one worthy of a check or two.