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Alinea
1723 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60614 · 312-867-0110
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OLD TOWN. Prepare for sensory overload when you reserve a dinner at this hotspot – hailed as one of the best restaurants in the nation. Celebrated chef Grant Achatz, a former apprentice to Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame), steers willing diners through meals comprised of 12 or 24 tastes of culinary nirvana. Many "courses," each consisting of a single, flavorful bite, are presented on serviceware tailored to a particular dish; in-the-know servers instruct you on how to consume each one. Usual textures, temperatures, and tastes of familiar ingredients are redefined and synthesized in dishes like peach with smoked paprika and carrot, or trout roe with cucumber and coconut. Unexpected platings and presentations are part of the sheer delight of eating in this sleek, minimalist space. A sommelier can suggest the perfect pairings for your gustatory explorations. Twelve-course tasting menu, $135; 24-course tour menu, $195.
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Blackbird
619 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661-2203 · 312-715-0708
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WEST LOOP. Blackbird created quite a stir in its first year and has maintained its appeal ever since. Reservations can be difficult to obtain, but once you secure them, you'll revel in creative, simply-prepared food with complex flavors. Starters may include smoked trout with caviar and crème frâiche or scallops dressed with cornmeal, fennel, and orange wedges. Main courses feature rack of lamb, venison loin, Alaskan halibut, and breast of squab. With room to seat only 58, the intimate place can feel crowded at times, but such coziness is a small concession to make for such a superb meal.
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LINCOLN PARK. Presenting ever-changing daily menus, Charlie Trotter's offers an experience you will not soon forget. The highly touted restaurant has received many awards, and the wine list has no rival in the city. The eclectic cuisine offers unusual yet pleasing combinations, letting the purity of the food shine through. Representative dishes include roasted monkfish tail with yellowfoot mushrooms, veal heart with celery root ravioli, and suckling lamb shoulder with aged manchego and garlic. Dinner seatings require reservations, and the smartly-clad staff take professionalism and service seriously. EL: Brown Line to Armitage
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Chef's Station
915 Davis St, Davis Street Metra Station, Evanston, IL 60201 · 847-570-9821
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EVANSTON. Exceptional food and great wine. What more could you ask for? This Evanston bistro provides the perfect spot to enjoy New American cuisine paired with the perfect wine from a list that's been recognized by "Wine Spectator." The menu includes savory items such as braised beef short ribs and fresh bluefin sushi tuna tartare. The interior sports a friendly, upbeat air and boasts fun accents such as copper plumbing light fixtures and jean pocket silverware keepers. Live jazz on Thursday nights; jazz brunch on Sundays. Smart casual dress.
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Courtright's
8989 S Archer Ave, Willow Springs, IL 60480-1205 · 708-839-8000
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WILLOW SPRINGS. Is it better in the suburbs? Before you answer, start with a glass of ruby merlot – limited vintage, of course – accompanied by a napoleon of earthy mushrooms and smoked duck. Or, try a chilled, crisp chardonnay with curried crab and Maine lobster salad, enlivened with mango and lemon ginger. Next, have grilled ostrich, braised pork shank, duck breast, or sauteed skatewing. Over 700 bottles of wine are on offer, 60 of them are under $30, and 42 are available by the glass. This wonderful restaurant, run by the Courtright husband/wife team, could stand on its own anywhere, city proper or not-so-sleepy suburbs. In December, lunch is served Tuesday through Friday.
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RIVER NORTH. Chef Michael Kornick's much-loved eatery is one of the most hip and happening destinations in the city, and it's definitely a place to see and be seen. Delightfully presented and decadently delicious, its contemporary American cuisine features such innovative dishes as venison with onions braised in rich zinfandel and served with apple endive salad, rack of pork with softened cabbage and figs, and homemade pasta tossed with butter and capped with black truffle shavings. Desserts by resident pastry chef Amy Sampson will have you swooning. EL: Brown or Purple Line to Chicago
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One Sixtyblue
160 N Loomis St, Chicago, IL 60607-1528 · 312-850-0303
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WEST LOOP. Although this restaurant gets lots of buzz with basketball star Michael Jordan as a silent partner, it's eminently capable of standing on its own. Wonderful, contemporary American creations show a love of food, seasonal ingredients, and delighted experimentation. For a terrific appetizer, try rock shrimp gnocchi or a salad of hedgehog mushrooms, accented with lardons and a poached egg. Entrees include fresh fish, game, poultry, and red meat. A perfectly prepared Delmonico steak is outstanding, as are roasted squab and wild striped bass with grilled octopus. Other perks include spare decor, sophisticated atmosphere, and a gracious waitstaff.
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MAGNIFICENT MILE. This upscale hotel dining room pampers guests and makes them feel like royalty. The setting is elegant, boasting fresh flowers, crystal, and mahogany at every turn. The lofty location provides for great views of the cityscape below, and the menu is contemporary American with French influences. Possible entrees include Peking duck breast with wild French asparagus, clay pot-cooked Alaskan halibut with Chinese sausage, and Mediterranean Colorado lamb rack with tagine sauce. Look for seasonal specials as well as a tasting menu. The lounge provides a stylish setting for lunch, afternoon tea or cocktails.
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STREETERVILLE. This elegant, welcoming cafe offers soothing colors, striped banquettes, and a lovely view of the lobby fountain. As such, it's a charming spot throughout the day. The menu features an abundance of soups, salads, and appetizers; main courses include sautéed whitefish with fingerling potatoes and roasted half chicken with sweet potato wedges and creamed spinach.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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