RPM Italian

RPM Italian is celebrity-owned (Bill and Giuliana Rancic), but don't hold that against it because it's a great Italian restaurant in Chicago close to hotels, shopping and Michigan Ave. RPM's space is outfitted in modern black, white and grey decor. It's known for a housemade pasta program, featuring more than a dozen seasonal pasta at any given time. Start with one of the signature cocktails or a bottle from an extensive wine list, and then choose from the housemade pasta like Maine lobster ravioli and seafood risotto evocative of Mediterranean, slow-roasted meats, wild fish and seafood and Italian classics with just enough contemporary flair to make it sensually interesting. Don't think twice about paying for bread because the truffled garlic bread circa 1963 is transportive. RPM Italian was recently named one of OpenTable's Top 100 Restaurants in America. Steaks are impressive (the sister restaurant is RPM Steakhouse) as is service.