Friendship Chinese Restaurant

On Friendship's menu, a man identified as "Chop Suey Man" writes that the food served at Chinese buffets makes him "weep bitterly." That's because beautiful food and fine dining are at the heart of this restaurant, with locations along the lake and in Logan Square. The menu items are pretty familiar and pricier than most Chinese fare, but they're presented in an impressive, fusion style. Some of the most raved-about dishes include the crab Rangoon appetizer, the honey walnut shrimp, and the Hawaiian pineapple cake. If you're on a budget, go on Tuesday nights, when they offer $9.95 entrees. During the summer, on weekend nights, there is live jazz music and you can see the fireworks show at dusk from nearby Navy Pier.