RSNA News - October 2004

Chicago Restaurants Dish Up Something for Everyone at RSNA 2004

After a full day of scientific presentations at RSNA 2004, meeting attendees and their families can get a taste of Chicago through its wide selection of restaurants. Additional information about Chicago and its many interesting tourist attractions is available from the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau Web site at www.meetinchicago.com/rsna/.

An RSNA Tours & Events brochure is also available at rsna2004.rsna.org. Click on Tours and City Events in the left-hand column. Information about dining and Chicago events is also available at the Tours and Activities Desk, located in the Help Center, Lakeside Center Ballroom, Level 3, and at the Palmer House Hilton hotel.

437 Rush
437 N. Rush; (312) 222-0101
Italian steakhouse, a block off Michigan Ave., offers steak, lobster and Italian fare in a classic room.
Expensive

Ambria
2300 N. Lincoln Park West; (773) 472-5959
Arguably one of the city's finest dining establishments, this formal French masterpiece is a favorite of visiting dignitaries and celebrities. Dark wood-paneled walls with mountains of fresh flowers are upstaged only by the food. Generous portions guarantee satisfied diners. The award-winning sommelier is available to assist in selecting the perfect wine.
Very Expensive

Aria
200 N. Columbus Dr.; (312) 444-9494
The Fairmont Hotel has made its move into hotel fine dining with Aria, an international restaurant, with dishes ranging from cassoulets to curries. The exotic décor of this earth-toned room matches the extensive, internationally influenced menu. Beautiful plates and flatware along with a glass-enclosed private dining room add to Aria's flair.
Expensive

Arun's Thai Restaurant
4156 N. Kedzie; (773) 539-1909
Personalized 12-course Thai dinner designed by the chef for each table, no menu.
Very Expensive

Avec
615 W. Randolph St.; (312) 377-2002
Popular enough to be able to enforce a no-reservation policy, Avec packs diners into banquettes made of cedar. For those who wish to experiment with the wine list, many interesting vintages are available by the glass or small carafe. Rustic cheeses and in-house made sausages are specialties. Big meat dishes like pork shoulder and fish stew share the menu with tapas-sized dishes like fried sardines with ham and dates stuffed with chorizo and wrapped with bacon. Avec is loud, raucous and tasty.
Expensive

Avenues
108 E. Superior; (312) 573-6754
This elegant, leather-accented restaurant has a view of Chicago's famous Water Tower. Avenues restaurant lifts seafood to new heights with offerings of European fish served in the French style. Some fish are boned tableside, adding an extra level of drama. Game and red meat as well as dessert also receive expert treatment.
Very Expensive

Becco D'Oro
160 E. Huron; (312) 787-1300
Dim lighting, beautiful art and real Italian waiters add a touch of romance to this Streeterville restaurant. Five types of risotto are offered daily along with creative pastas, seafood presentations and veal. The heaping seafood salad and the unique flaming dessert parfait are highly recommended. Just steps from Michigan Avenue in the Radisson Hotel, Becco D'Oro serves a terrific breakfast.
Expensive

Ben Pao
52 W. Illinois; (312) 222-1888
The décor of this elegant Asian restaurant is dramatic-artistically lit black slate and red accents are juxtaposed with cascading water and still pools. Vegetarians will delight in the menu, which also features seafood, duck, beef and chicken. In addition to the classic Chinese dishes, the imaginative Asian entrees should be given equal consideration. Small starter dishes, including creative satays, are also available for those who like to taste and share.
Moderate

The Berghoff
17 W. Adams; (312) 427-3170
A deeply authentic German restaurant, The Berghoff is a don't-miss Chicago lunch spot. Owned by the Berghoff family, this restaurant has stayed close to its roots, serving veal and creamed spinach. The Berghoff offers a true slice of authentic Chicago German heritage and is considered a Chicago icon.
Inexpensive

Bice Restaurant
158 E. Ontario St.; (312) 664-1474
The Chicago sister of the well-known Manhattan Bice, home of the power lunch, is also a see-and-be-seen restaurant one block east of Michigan Ave. The art deco rooms are painted in warm Tuscan ochers, golds and oranges. Wonderful pastas compete with seafood and game in contemporary Italian presentations. Premium wines can be found in the wine-by-the-glass list as well as on the regular wine list. Expensive

Biggs Steakhouse, Seafood & Wine Cellar
1150 N. Dearborn St.; (312) 787-0900
Prime steaks with great side dishes are served in Bigg's Victorian mansion near Rush and Division. The building and interiors are interesting enough by themselves to recommend an evening at Biggs. The restaurant delivers big wines and classic French sauces with plump cuts of meat, fish and Maine lobster. A basement level wine cellar offers a lighter menu and a selection of cheese and chocolate as well as live entertainment.
Expensive

Big Bowl
6 E. Cedar; (312) 640-8888
60 E. Ohio; (312) 951-1888
A casually elegant Asian restaurant with good vibes. A large, square bar fronts the dining room; an open kitchen occupies the back.
Moderate

Bistro Campagne
4518 N. Lincoln Ave.; (773) 271-6100
This straightforward Bistro serves country French with an emphasis on organic ingredients. Expect expertly prepared escargot, goat cheese salad, onion soup, onion tart, steak frites and crème brulee. Located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood, Bistro Campagne is off the beaten path, about 15 minutes north of N. Michigan Ave.
Moderate

Blackbird
619 W. Randolph; (312) 715-0708
Trendy hot spot serves contemporary American cuisine with seasonal emphasis.
Expensive

BOKA
1729 N. Halsted St.; (312) 337-6070
BOKA offers an American menu under a unique fabric stretched ceiling that is more art than interior decor. The theme here is seafood: start with the seared Maine scallops with cauliflower puree, or tartar of Atlantic salmon, or if you are an oyster fan, the raw bar makes an excellent choice for appetizers. Main courses include traditional steak, chicken and lamb, but back to the seafood: the pan-seared grouper is outstanding.
Expensive

Brasserie Jo
59 W. Hubbard St.; (312) 595-0800
Authentic French in every way, Brasserie Jo serves patrons wonderful French brasserie favorites such as steak frites, endive and blue cheese salad, escargot, steak béarnaise and six preparations of fish, all accompanied with wonderful wines. High ceilings and French music transport you to Chef Jean Joho's Parisian vision, where a warm baguette greets diners at their table. The staff is attentive and educated and the food is phenomenal.
Moderate

Butterfield 8
713 N. Wells; (312) 327-0940
Dramatic lighting and 21st century décor are juxtaposed by the classic cuisine served in this luxurious restaurant with terrific service. The menu selections include veal schnitzel, steak tartar and shrimp de Jonghe. The bar is trendy, and the people watching is fabulous. Butterfield 8 is a quick cab ride from downtown hotels.
Expensive

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba!
2024 N. Halsted; (773) 935-5000
The festivities begin at the door of this DePaul hotspot. Rhythmic Spanish music greets guests before they can approach the smiling hosts. The fun and festivities are carried on throughout the restaurant, especially in the mural art created by local artists. Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! specializes in Spanish tapas, paella and sangria. Tapas, small dishes of vegetables, seafood, cheese and Spanish sausages, are fun to share.
Inexpensive

California Pizza Kitchen
52 E. Ohio St.; (312) 787-6075
For the shopping-exhausted, the California Pizza Kitchen offers a welcome respite. Located two blocks from Michigan Ave. (also on the 7th floor of Water Tower Place), this sunny restaurant offers 29 individual-sized pizzas, some traditional, but many with fascinating ingredients such as caramelized pears and gorgonzola, barbeque chicken-even tandoori chicken, a popular choice, is included in this new "California" pizza style. True to its California roots, the menu is rounded out by 10 large and sophisticated salads.
Inexpensive

Caliterra
633 N. St. Clair; (312) 274-4444
California meets Italy in this lovely restaurant with views of both the open kitchen and the city. With no outside signs, Caliterra is a hidden treasure. Activity revolves around Caliterra's woks, brick ovens and grills, where the chef combines Italian and California ingredients and cooking styles. Guests are welcome to finish the night with a visit to the piano bar. Located in the Wyndham Chicago Hotel, one block off Michigan Avenue, this versatile restaurant also serves breakfast.
Expensive

Cape Cod Room
140 E. Walton; (312) 787-2200
The venerable Drake Hotel's Cape Cod Room serves fresh seafood in a comfortable, cozy setting. The décor is reminiscent of a seaside saloon.
Expensive

Capital Grille
633 N. St. Clair; (312) 337-9400
One block from Michigan Avenue, the Capital Grille offers the best of steak house experiences. Ensconced in the dark wood and leather interior, complete with oil paintings, waiters dressed in white aprons offer robust wines, oversize steaks and side orders as large as entrees. This is a restaurant for a hearty appetite.
Expensive

Charlie Trotter's
816 W. Armitage; (773) 248-6228
Reservations are scarce, and a month's lead-time does not guarantee a table. This world-famous chef has created an experience that can't be duplicated. Chose between the grand menu and the vegetarian menu to begin the parade of imaginative dishes.
Very Expensive

Chez Joel
1119 W. Taylor; (312) 226-6479
This pretty French bistro is blossoming in the middle of Little Italy.
Moderate

Chicago Chop House
60 W. Ontario; (312) 787-7100
The 1,400 photos displayed throughout the three-level restaurant feature musicians, meat purveyors, city fathers, gangsters and every Chicago mayor. The first level is available to cigar, pipe and cigarette smokers; the second floor main dining room is cigarettes-only; the third-floor "Skybox," is nonsmoking. A pianist performs in the evening in the first-level room.
Expensive

Chilpancingo
358 W. Ontario; (312) 266-9525
Filled with colorful Mexican art, this restaurant serves gourmet Mexican cuisine.
Moderate

China Grill
230 N. Michigan Ave.; (312) 345-1000
A haven for trendy city-hoppers, the new Hard Rock Hotel gave new life to the neglected Carbide and Carbon Building, which actually looks like it was built out of carbon and carbide. Stop by for a drink at Hard Rock's Base bar or dinner at the China Grill, an Asian-influenced restaurant scheduled to open just in time for RSNA 2004.
Moderate

Chocolate Bar at the Peninsula Hotel
108 E. Superior St.; (312) 337-2888
Heaven on Earth for some and certainly not an experience to be duplicated; the Peninsula hotel offers a magnificent $20 chocolate buffet on Friday and Saturday evenings. From 8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m., the Chocolate Bar offers a dozen chocolate choices from strawberries (dipped in it) to truffles (made from it). Best of all, it is an all you can eat buffet; an absolutely perfect way to end the evening after dinner downtown.
Moderate

Cité
505 N. Lake Shore Dr.; (312) 644-4050
For those who want to experience the sophisticated side of Chicago, Cité is a can't-miss choice. Situated on the rooftop of Lake Point Tower, the high-rise voted "best view in Chicago" four years running. Cité offers French/Italian fare and is one of the few Chicago establishments to require jackets in both restaurant and bar. The waiters wear tuxedos, the food is first-class and the elegant experience is unforgettable.
Very Expensive

Coco Pazzo
300 W. Hubbard; (312) 836-0900
Tuscan cuisine served in fabric-draped studio, complete with a beautiful bar.
Expensive

Connie's Pizza
151 E. Wacker; (312) 565-3661
2373 S. Archer Ave.; (312) 326-3443
With a new location in downtown Chicago, this Windy City favorite serves serious pizza.
Inexpensive

D. Kelly
623 W. Randolph St.; (312) 628-0755
A mostly American menu offers international delights including salmon gravlax, foie gras and beef carpaccio. Foodies agree that dessert is a must at D. Kelly. The décor consists of photographs and art by local Chicago artists, warming the exposed brick walls and maple floors.
Expensive

D'Vine Restaurant & Wine Bar
1950 W. North; (773) 235-5700
Sleek wine bar serves a fusion of French, Asian and Mediterranean influenced dishes.
Expensive

Emperor's Choice
2238 S. Wentworth; (312) 225-8800
This bustling second floor Chinatown favorite offers more than 150 entrées with an emphasis on seafood. Lobster, served seven ways, is highly recommended, as is anything in black bean sauce. Ambitious dishes such as ostrich can be found on the village specials. The only thing lacking is ambiance. Chinatown is a 10-minute taxi ride from downtown or McCormick Place.
Inexpensive

Erawan
729 N. Clark; (312) 642-6888
This new Gold Coast gem uses Western ingredients to artistically update classic Thai dishes. For instance, venison is featured instead of beef or chicken in an otherwise traditional Thai satay. The carefully selected wine list allows for top-notch wine and food combinations. Try the degustation menus with matching wine selections. The glasses and china are imported from Bangkok.
Very Expensive

Everest
440 S. LaSalle; (312) 663-8920
Enjoy the Alsatian emphasis in the French cuisine served on the 40th floor with a dramatic city view, unless the clouds are low. This elegant restaurant competes with Ambria and Charlie Trotter's for sophisticated dining.
Very Expensive

Fogo de Chão
661 N. LaSalle St.; (312) 932-9330
Fogo de Chão is a Brazilian "churrascaria"-all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside. Waiters dressed as gauchos carry long skewers of chicken, filet mignon, leg of lamb, pork loin, pork ribs, rump steak and sausages from table to table. Brazilian beef has a much grainier texture and more pronounced flavor than American beef. The fixed-price dinner also includes a 30-item salad bar, which can be ordered as a meal. Side dishes include black beans, cheese puffs, fried bananas, fried yucca, garlic mashed potatoes, polenta and rice.
Expensive

Follia
953 W. Fulton Ave.; (312) 243-2888
Food and fashion unite at this charming Italian restaurant in the market district. Chef owner Bruno Abate serves unpretentious timeless Italian risottos, pastas and entrees with everything cooked to order. Follia's windows are decorated with mannequins wearing haute couture designed by local college students. The clothing and art are available for purchase.
Moderate

Frontera Grill
445 N. Clark; (312) 661-1434
Mexican food is taken to a new level in this festive restaurant five blocks from Michigan Avenue.
Moderate

Fuse
71 E. Wacker Dr.; (312) 462-7071
The critics love Fuse, a restaurant that The Chicago Tribune says is "racing to the top of the charts." One look inside tells you why; even the architecture of the stunning interior has received raves. Offerings lean toward the rich and interesting. The signature dish of Fuse is seared foie gras served with bittersweet chocolate sauce. Where else can one find caramel cognac gelato or venison in coffee-pepper sauce? For those who want to experience a flashy, expensive and interesting city dining experience, Fuse is a great choice and is only one block from Michigan Avenue.
Very Expensive

Gene & Georgetti
500 N. Franklin; (312) 527-3718
This classic steakhouse in the River North neighborhood is thoroughly lacking in pretension and offers the best steaks available in the city. Ungarnished steaks are served by waiters who appear to have worked at the restaurant since its inception. This is authentic Chicago-expect to hear thick Chicago accents and perhaps catch sight of a local alderman.
Expensive

Gino's East of Chicago
633 N. Wells; (312) 943-1124
Considered one of the top 10 pizzerias in the nation, Gino's East provides the most authentic Chicago-pizza dining experience available. The Chicago school of pizza-making places the sauce on top, with the ingredients and cheese underneath. Gino's slices weigh in at nearly 1/2 pound, so order your size carefully.
Inexpensive

Gioco
1312 S. Wabash Ave.; (312) 939-3870
Gioco serves a big-portioned contemporary Italian feast in a Prohibition-era speakeasy. The simple menu is in line with a trattoria, offering tortellini, beef and octopus carpaccios, pizza, veal scaloppini, rabbit, mussels, and seafood. Conveniently close to McCormick Place and downtown hotels.
Moderate

GP Franklin's
4767 N. Lincoln Ave.; (773) 293-1900
This is one for the children. A unique turn-of-the-century Chicago restaurant and soda joint, kids love GP Franklin's for the ice cream, the volcano (circled by a choo-choo train) and the general store. Kids and kids at heart will thoroughly enjoy this detailed re-creation of Chicago at the beginning of last century. Fifteen minute cab ride from Michigan Avenue.
Moderate

Grillroom Chophouse and Wine Bar
33 W. Monroe; (312) 960-0000
Wet-aged Certified Angus Beef is the specialty at this Loop/Theater District steakhouse. A variety of non-beef selections including pasta, lamb and seafood are also available. The location and the flexibility of the service make this restaurant a good choice for a pre-theater dinner or drink. The Grillroom offers an amazing selection of 40 wines by the glass.
Expensive

The Grill on the Alley
909 N. Michigan; (312) 255-9009
The Westin Hotel's rendition of the famous Beverly Hills Grill on the Alley serves large steaks, prime rib and seafood in a clubby leather-bound atmosphere. Simple sauces and signature salads are mainstays. Decorated with hundreds of pieces of art, the room is old fashioned with high-backed booths and professional service. A pianist plays nightly in the large lounge.
Expensive

Green Zebra
1460 W. Chicago Ave.; (312) 243-7100
Vegetarians rarely have much choice when it comes to fine dining-their selections are usually an after thought. Green Zebra has turned the tables, offering upscale vegetarian dishes in a fine dining setting. Flavors are completely unexpected. The chef is not afraid to offer such combinations as sweet-potato dumplings with licorice sauce or Gruyere cheese soufflé accompanied by endive and apricots. For the non-vegetarians, chicken and fish are often on the menu, but there is no need to go that safe route. This is an eatery where one should trust the chef, not instincts.
Expensive

Hackney's Printers Row
733 S. Dearborn; (312) 461-1116
This local pub is located in one of the oldest buildings in the south Loop Printers Row neighborhood. The location and neighborhood are as famous and historic as the Hackneyburger. Try the popular deep-fried onion loaf with one of Hackney's many imported tap beers, which include Harp, Bass, Stiegl Pils and Tucher Hefe Weiss.
Inexpensive

Heat
1507 N. Sedgwick; (312) 397-9818
The ultimate in fresh sushi and sashimi cut to order sometimes from live fish swimming in the three salt-water tanks.
Expensive

Heaven on Seven on Rush
600 N. Michigan; (312) 280-7774
Spicy Cajun and Creole dishes are served in an equally stimulating room steps from Michigan Avenue, up a steep escalator. Not fancy, but the "feed me" fixed price menus, dependent on the whims of the chef, provide an unforgettable experience. Sunday features a New Orleans Jazz Brunch.
Moderate

House of Blues
329 N. Dearborn St.; (312) 923-2000
Folk art meets European theater design in Chicago's spectacular House of Blues. The House of Blues is all about entertainment, including the House of Blues restaurant, which hosts a blues stage seven nights a week. However, the outsider art is entertainment in itself. The Cajun food offers a great selection and is a perfect fit with the décor-hot and spicy. Make advance reservations for the unforgettable Sunday Gospel Brunch.
Expensive

Japonais
600 W. Chicago Ave.; (312) 822-9600
One of Chicago's hottest new restaurants, Japonais combines industrial and chic in its huge, elegant dark wood/red brick interior in a converted industrial building, completing the transformation from warehouse to restaurant with gold curtains and a waterfall. The interior is so stunning it was featured in Interior Design magazine, which gave a glowing review of the interior space. Japonais offers traditional Japanese sushi, Kobe beef carpaccio, smoked duck, chestnut-encrusted chicken stuffed with shiitake rice and, to finish, the Tokyo Tower-a huge helping of ice cream, sorbets and cookies.
Expensive

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab
60 E. Grand; (312) 379-5637
This Miami offshoot serves Florida stone crab claws with mustard sauce and steaks in a dining room decorated with vintage black and white photographs.
Expensive

Kevin
9 W. Hubbard; (312) 595-0055
Kevin delivers an excellent fusion of Asian and French cuisine in a marvelous interior space. Asian influences distinguish the contemporary dining room. Shoji screens, brick walls and hardwood floors blend as beautifully as the cuisine. Located behind Nordstrom, approximately four blocks west of Michigan Avenue.
Expensive

Le Bouchon
1958 N. Damen; (773) 862-6600
Small, authentic French bistro located in the fashionable Bucktown neighborhood.
Moderate

Le Colonial
937 N. Rush; (312) 255-0088
Located in the heart of Chicago's Rush Street nightlife district, this French-Vietnamese masterpiece features a look back in time to colonial Vietnam. Sugar cane wrapped shrimp, sea bass and filet mignon grace this sophisticated menu. A dimly lit upstairs lounge is the destination for many a late-night romantic meeting. After dinner, a walk down Rush Street affords a chance to stop in one of the many elegant bars for some of the best people watching in the city.
Expensive

Le Lan
749 N. Clark St.; (312) 280-9100
This restaurant invokes thoughts of Vietnam, when the French colonists brought their cuisine with them and discovered that French fare complements the Asian flavors of Vietnam like a hand in a glove. Le Lan offers a casual but well thought-out space decorated in the traditional colors of Vietnam-browns, greens and black onyx. Vietnamese spring rolls, foie gras flan, smoked squab, crispy-skinned duck, Vietnamese sea bass and poached lobster are some of the dishes offered in this two-story, intimate building.
Moderate

Les Nomades
222 E. Ontario; (312) 649-9010
Flawless French food served in a downtown mansion. This elegant restaurant's picturesque entrance is so entrancing that it is occasionally used as the setting for movie scenes. The interior is cozy, warm and inviting.
Very Expensive

Lovitt
1466 N. Ashland Ave.; (773) 252-1466
Lovitt is a one-man show from appetizers to desserts. Chef Norman Six cooks seasonal American cuisine using organic produce whenever possible. His menu is highly diverse, even offering a smattering of vegetarian and vegan options. Chef Six's brunch is well regarded for his quiche and fresh biscuits with jam. Use this restaurant as a great excuse to visit one of Chicago's many wine sellers before dinner-Lovitt is BYOB. This nine-table Bucktown restaurant is a five-minute taxi ride from downtown.
Inexpensive

Marche
833 W. Randolph; (312) 226-8399
Over-the-top décor makes this French restaurant a popular "see and be seen" spot. Be prepared for loud, techno music.
Expensive

McCormick & Schmick's
41 E. Chestnut; (312) 397-9500
This West Coast import is all about fish. The menu offers what is probably the entire day's available catch in Chicago, along with the required token red meat items. Oysters are the house specialty. The dining rooms are clubby with dark wood paneling and dim lighting. Request a booth. The popular bar serves lighter fare and a late-night menu. Located one block off Michigan Avenue, behind Fourth Presbyterian Church and in the heart of Rush Street's nightlife.
Moderate/Expensive

Morton's, The Steakhouse
1050 N. State; (312) 266-4820
The King of steakhouses is famous for its steak and lobster. Located in the center of Chicago's nightlife area.
Expensive

MK, The Restaurant
868 N. Franklin; (312) 482-9179
Creative contemporary dishes superbly offset by this stylish restaurant. Exposed bricks and beams reflect the building's past as a paint factory.
Expensive

Molive'
107 E. Delaware; (312) 573-6300
Enjoy this comfortable setting for a California-Mediterranean influenced menu one block away from Bloomingdale's.
Expensive

Mon Ami Gabi
2300 N. Lincoln Park West; (773) 348-8886
Across the lovely fresco painted lobby from Ambria, Mon Ami is the less formal, more raucous French Bistro. Steak is served in seven different versions piled high with Mon Ami's delicious frites. The rolling wine cart with wines by glass is both clever and convenient.
Moderate

Moto
945 W. Fulton Market Ave.; (312) 491-0058
Absolutely unique. Chef Homaro Cantu has created a restaurant with an off-the-scale creativity quotient. A custom-designed utensil holds aromatic herbs to add the perfect scent to begin the first course of sashimi tuna, which is only the first of many unexpected twists on traditional service and presentation. Tasting menus of seven or 10 courses are offered. Each course is very small, so it is best to opt for the 10-course menu. Moto leans toward raw food, which, by chef Cantu's definition, is food that never sees temperatures above 108 degrees. Each course is presented with some inventive twist, be it a frozen icee of fennel and celery or bass cooked at the table at a very low temperature in a box built by Cantu himself.
Very Expensive

Naha
500 N. Clark; (312) 321-6242
This bright, minimalist restaurant is making a hit with its Mediterranean-influenced American offerings.
Expensive

Nick's Fishmarket
51 S. Clark St.; (312) 621-0200
This Loop favorite has fruit reductions and Asian accents to complement the exceptional seafood and fish. The service is outstanding.
Expensive

Nine
440 W. Randolph St.; (312) 575-9900
Nine is the age at which the owners met, a happy fate for restaurant-goers. Nine is a steak and seafood restaurant with one of the most interesting and remarked-upon decors in Chicago. Prepare for a visual experience highlighted by the free use of stainless steel, mirrors and expensive wood. No expense was spared; even those that require a champagne and caviar bar serving beluga by the ounce will feel at home. The upstairs Ghost bar serves a must-try specialty martini, the Ghostini and plays loud techno music for those inclined to retire for a trendy nightcap after dinner. Nine is a good place to celebrity-watch, sightings of professional athletes are not uncommon.
Expensive

NoMI
800 N. Michigan; (312) 239-4030
The most noteworthy design element in this minimalist, French restaurant is the phenomenal view of North Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan.
Very Expensive

Nordstrom Café
520 N. Michigan; (312) 464-1515
This stylish cafeteria has revived many an exhausted shopper. Lunch spots in the newly designated North Bridge section of Michigan Avenue are limited; so don't forget this oasis when visiting Nordstrom or the Shops at Nordstrom.
Inexpensive

North Pond Café
2610 N. Cannon; (773) 477-5845
Seasonal Midwestern dishes served with a city skyline view, situated in the heart of Lincoln Park with a view of the pristine lagoon.
Expensive

One Sixtyblue
160 N. Loomis; (312) 850-0303
Sophisticated contemporary cuisine served to a sophisticated clientele in a setting to match.
Expensive

Opera
1301 S. Wabash Ave.; (312) 461-0161
"Hip-hop Asian" with clean flavors and dramatic presentations sum up Opera. This four-star restaurant is not something one can experience in a Chinese carry out-box. Interesting sauces-spring onion, five-spice salt and sweet/sour chili sauce-and thoughtful presentations make Opera a unique experience. Draped silk, quilted chair backs, exotic light fixtures and Chinese screens add an undertone of drama to dinner. Opera's South Loop building formerly warehoused film reels, which left small, romantic niches cleverly filled with tables.
Expensive

The Palm
323 E. Wacker; (312) 616-1000
Mammoth prime steaks, lobsters and drinks grace the tables at this popular steakhouse. House specialties include lobster, New York strip, porterhouse and filet. Hint: reserve your jumbo lobster ahead of time to guarantee availability. The traditional seafood appetizers are well worth sampling. The Palm's personality comes from having walls that are covered with portraits of patrons-the famous as well as the unknown-and cartoons.
Expensive

Park Grill
11 N. Michigan Ave.; (312) 521-7275
Chicago's answer to New York's Tavern on the Green, the Park Grill is located in the heart of Chicago's new and magnificent Millennium Park. Floor to ceiling windows allow diners a great view of the ice skaters and Michigan Avenue. The menu is American and unpretentious, featuring a double-cut pork chop with port sauce and bone-in rib eye. The Park Grill is a pre-theater favorite, especially among the symphony crowd. Its central location is unbeatable.
Expensive

Penang
2201 S. Wentworth; (312) 326-6888
Top-notch Malaysian cuisine served in a simple, cheerful room.
Inexpensive/Moderate

Petterino's
150 N. Dearborn; (312) 422-0150
Located in the southeast corner of the new Goodman Theatre building, Petterino's specializes in quality pre-theater steaks, chops, pastas and salads. The room and the food are both substantial. Dim lighting artistically blends the dark woods and red leather interior into a comfortable, recognizably 1940s Loop-style restaurant. To further celebrate the authentic Chicago style and atmosphere, order the shrimp de jonghe, an original Chicago dish. The restaurant takes its name from Arturo Petterino, the famous former Pump Room maitre d'.
Expensive

Pili.Pili
230 W. Kinzie St.; (312) 464-9988
This combination bistro-style dining room and casual café has French Provencal flair with Mediterranean influences from North Africa and Morocco. Named after the North African chili pepper, Pili.Pili's specialties include charcuterie, rustic breads, steak frites, steamed mussels and stuffed sea bass. This River North restaurant serves food all day in the café and lunch and dinner in the dining room. Wines are available by the glass, bottle or flight. The Pili.Pili pastis is included in the extensive list of French aperitifs.
Moderate

Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due
Pizzeria Due 619 N. Wabash Ave.; (312) 943-2400
Pizzeria Uno 29 E. Ohio St.; (312) 321-1000
Sixty years of Chicago pizza experience culminates in one great pizza tradition split between two downtown Chicago mansions. Pizzeria Uno and Due are across the street from each other at the intersection of Ohio and Wabash. Chicagoans and tourists alike appear to believe the pizza is worth the wait. The basement level Pizzeria Uno has a dark, bar-like environment, while Due's rooms are lighter. Express lunch is available at both restaurants.
Inexpensive

Platiyo
3313 N. Clark St.; (773) 477-6700
Traditional and creative Mexican dishes are cooked with top-notch ingredients. Platiyo's decor is lively with multi-color papier-mâché figures and orange-red walls. The 100-selection tequila list and the enormous margaritas make the 10-minute trip to Wrigleyville speed by.
Inexpensive

Pluton
873 N. Orleans St.; (312) 266-1440
This highly acclaimed new restaurant offers an interesting twist on prix fixe dining. Typically prix fixe means the diner chooses the number of courses and the chef determines the menu. At Pluton, if you decide on the tasting menu, you may choose four, five, six or 10 courses. A four- or five-course selection offers the choice of individual dishes. There is no limitation on your choices. A typical meal may start with Maine lobster salad with sea asparagus, pineapple-pear chutney and grapefruit sorbet to be followed by plancha-seared foie gras with lemon curd, roasted beets and micro greens with a main course of bone marrow-crusted beef tenderloin and porcini mashed with roasted shallots.
Very Expensive

Prairie Restaurant
500 S. Dearborn; (312) 663-1143
Prairie features everything that is great about the midwestern prairie from game and produce to Prairie School accents and Mission-style furniture. Interesting twists can be found on classic midwestern comfort foods as well as inspiring beef and game dishes.
Expensive

Rhapsody
65 E. Adams; (312) 786-9911
This beautiful restaurant is conveniently tucked inside Symphony Center with an outside entrance on Adams Street. The conservatory-style dining room is accentuated with towering plants and filled with lovers of food, wine and the arts. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the Loop, Rhapsody's dining room opens onto a downtown rarity, a lovely, hidden garden.
Expensive

Ritz-Carlton Dining Room
160 E. Pearson; (312) 266-1000
Contemporary French masterpieces are served in a comfortable elegant room.
Very Expensive

Rl Restaurant Ralph Lauren
115 E. Chicago; (312) 475-1100
Ralph Lauren designed a restaurant that is consistent with his American-style clothing and home accessories. The room is clubby, comfortable and dark. The front bar's mahogany paneling is slightly upstaged by the bookcases and Ralph Lauren-style furniture. The menu is upscale American with Italian accents. The beef is from cattle carefully bred on the actual Lauren ranch. Do not miss out on the memorable desserts.
Expensive

Room 22
22 E. Hubbard St.; (312) 527-4900
Just steps off Michigan Avenue, the shiny walnut floors and beautiful granite tables of Room 22 appeal to city dwellers and hotel guests alike. The elegant granite and teak bar, velvet seats and custom LED lighting make for a thoroughly modern experience. Serving a contemporary American cuisine, the menu includes Prosciutto di Parma with melon and golden baby beets with feta cheese, main course choices include short rib of beef and potato pave with wild mushroom, and the creative pepper crusted yellow fin tuna with red pepper marmalade. Room 22 becomes a night club/lounge late night on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays with DJ entertainment.
Expensive

Rosebud
1500 W. Taylor; (312) 942-1117
A memorable Italian meal served in a comfortable, upscale setting.
Moderate

Rosebud Steakhouse
192 E. Walton; (312) 397-1000
Rosebud's bone-in filet has won the hearts of Chicago steak enthusiasts. Excellent Italian preparations of chicken, lamb and seafood are also available. The clubby room with its dark wood paneled walls and red leather booths and chairs is a favorite haunt of Chicago's Mayor Daley and other local politicos. The wine list offers a selection of Italian and American wines. Located behind the Drake, Rosebud is in a quiet pocket of the elegant north Streeterville neighborhood.
Expensive

Roy's
720 N. State; (312) 787-7599
Hawaiian fusion cuisine, which combines French and Asian cooking techniques, includes hibachi-grilled salmon, blackened tuna and barbecued baby back ribs. Expert wine and food pairings are offered. The bar and a special section of the dining room offer a view of the exhibition kitchen.
Expensive

Rumba
351 W. Hubbard St.; (312) 222-1226
This upscale Latin fusion restaurant offers a taste of Cuba, Puerto Rico and South American cuisine. Rumba's Nuevo Latino fare is served in a room reminiscent of the Tropicana nightclub. Thursday thru Sunday late night guests can tango to live Latin music and occasionally see professional dance performances. Tropical cocktails are a favorite among the sophisticated lounge crowd. Try a "caipirinhas" or a "chocolatada."
Expensive

Russian Tea Time
77 E. Adams; (312) 360-0000
Not just a tea house as the name suggests, Russian Tea Time is a full-service restaurant run by natives of the former Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan.
Expensive

Saffron
111 W. Hubbard St.; (312)-464-1100
For those seeking a Latin flair, former-Spiaggia chef Carlos Contereras has created an international menu combining Latin, Moroccan and Asian influences. Cornmeal-crusted scallops, potato-crusted halibut and chorizo-potato casserole light up the menu. Saffron is dimly lit with a warm ambiance. Curtains separate the very intimate tables. Steak eaters will find comfort in the black-pepper rib eye, but the more adventurous will find plenty of interesting flavors with which to experiment.
Moderate

Saiko
1307 S. Wabash Ave.; (312) 922-2222
A taste of what Tokyo hipsters are likely eating in a South Loop location. If you have a taste for sushi, a good bet is the sushi tasting menu-the chef makes excellent choices. A serious sake menu allows the chance to experiment with subtle variations on the Asian liquor. For those whose appetites demand more than sushi, try the shogun rib-eye steak or herb-crusted salmon. The interior is interesting and thoroughly unlike a typical sushi restaurant mostly due to the liberal use of marble, a non-standard architectural touch for Japanese sushi restaurants.
Expensive

Seasons Restaurant
120 E. Delaware; (312) 649-2349
The Four Seasons Hotel provides luxury hotel amenities in its well-respected Seasons Restaurant. The room is elegant, but most important, the large tables are positioned far enough apart to create a sense of intimacy and space not usually found in the city. Seven stories above North Michigan Ave., chandeliers and gorgeous, fresh-cut flowers grace the oak paneled room. A variety of tasting menus complete with wine selections accompany the a la carte menu. Save room for dessert or cheese, both are an excellent decision. Seasons is known for light, healthy fare.
Very Expensive

Shaw's Crab House
21 E. Hubbard; (312) 527-2722
Seasonal seafood is flown in daily from the Atlantic, the Gulf and the Pacific Coast to this popular River North spot. Many of the restaurant's fish and seafood suppliers are pictured on the walls of the Blue Crab Lounge, a New Orleans-themed oyster bar with old blues and torch recordings on the sound system.
Expensive

Smith & Wollensky
318 N. State; (312) 670-9900
Sports and steaks are the perfect combination in Chicago. Scattered among the memorabilia and Americana art decorating the walls is a fair assortment of sports-related collectables and accents. This New York import serves extremely large steaks. The many windows and French doors provide diners with an excellent view of the Chicago River, the Wacker Drive office towers and the State Street Bridge. Lobster cocktail and crabcakes are among the most notable appetizers. Aside from steak, the must-be-mentioned entrees include a braised pork shank and a lobster dusted with paprika and cayenne pepper.
Expensive

Spago
520 N. Dearborn; (312) 527-3700
California-Asian inspired dishes served in classy venue. Decor is bright, cheerful and arty. A cigar lounge with a small fireplace can be found on the second floor.
Expensive

Spiaggia
980 N. Michigan; (312) 280-2750
Sophisticated Italian creations are appropriate for this breathtaking room, filled with those desiring to see and be seen. This is an extremely popular destination with white tablecloths, large windows and first class service.
Very Expensive

Spring
2039 W. North; (773) 395-7100
The Zen style of this converted Turkish bathhouse is well matched by the kitchen's harmony. The seafood-dominated menu is influenced by Indian and Asian cuisine. Spring is in the trendy Wicker Park neighborhood, a 15-minute cab ride from downtown.
Expensive

Starfish
804 W. Randolph St.; (312) 997-2433
The sushi and maki choices are as endless as the "oohs" and "aahs" that accompany them. The vibrant green walls and red-orange ceiling are a perfect contrast for the dark floors and dim lighting. The music is urban and matches the crowd.
Expensive

SushiSamba Rio
504 N. Wells St.; (312) 595-2300
A New York transplant, SushiSamba Rio is trendy, hip and flashy. The menu is a mix of Japanese sushi and South American flavors in a stunning room where no architectural expense has been spared. Patrons fall into one of two camps: those that thoroughly enjoy the spectacle of noise, flair and hipness; and those who believe that they are being served regular sushi at high prices, with style holding power over substance. For those who desire style, SushiSamba has it in spades. The beef maki roll is a must-try, and braised rabbit with chipotle mole is the answer to the question of how to fuse Japanese and South American flavors. Sawagani, a Japanese dish of small fresh water crabs eaten whole is available for those who are willing to experiment with a crunch.
Expensive

SWK
710 N. Wells St.; (312) 274-9500
Sophisticated, expensive and American, SWK offers such interesting starters as ostrich satay with peanut sauce, steak tartar, lobster carpaccio and short ribs in Roquefort sauce. A rich start, but it gets even better with main course choices, including sea bass and rib-eye steaks. Fireplaces warm the room and compete for attention with the live orchids that grace the interior. The ultra-sophisticated SWK is an impressive restaurant for business dining.
Very Expensive

Taste of Siam
600 S. Dearborn; (312) 939-1179
Located in a converted warehouse in the Printers Row neighborhood, this is the spot for Thai cuisine in the south Loop. The large windows and high ceilings add a touch of airiness to this long, narrow room. The menu is extensive and the food is exotic but not too challenging. The crowd is young and urban.
Inexpensive

Topolobampo
445 N. Clark; (312) 661-1434
Complex Mexican flavors abound in the upscale restaurant adjacent to its sister, Frontera Grill.
Expensive

Tournesol
4343 N. Lincoln Ave.; (773) 477-8820
Traditional bistro fare-escargot, salad nicoise and steak frites-are served at this Lincoln Square restaurant. Some of the more adventurous dishes include frog legs, kidneys and rabbit. The elegant, cream-colored room boasts a row of chalkboard menus listing daily specials and wines by the glass and tables graced with fresh flowers. The Lincoln Square neighborhood offers visitors some relief from the bustle of downtown. Surrounded by small shops and restaurants, Tournesol is a 15-minute cab ride from N. Michigan Ave.
Inexpensive

Trattoria No. 10
10 N. Dearborn; (312) 984-1718
This subterranean fixture in the Loop has it all. The dark, quiet dining room is divided into intimate spaces by pillars and Italian-style archways. Pin lights add drama to the colorful room. Chicagoans visit Trattoria No. 10 for the amazing pastas, risottos and ravioli dishes. However, meat and seafood lovers will also be pleased.
Expensive

Tru
676 N. St. Clair; (312) 202-0001
Flashy, contemporary dishes are juxtaposed against the stunning white dining room. This exciting, trendy experience is one block off Michigan Avenue.
Very Expensive

Tuscany
1014 W. Taylor; (312) 829-1990
Fashionable Northern Italian restaurant suitably situated on Taylor Street.
Expensive

Vermilion
10 W. Hubbard St.; (312) 527-4060
Veering far from the traditional path, Vermilion presents a Latin-Indian fusion menu that, however unusual in combination, surprisingly works well in most cases. Vermilion takes its name from the traditional color of Indian femininity, reflecting the chef and owner both of whom have roots in India. The Latin influence is easily seen in the tapas-style menu, where patrons order many small dishes to share, such as roasted baby eggplants or fried plantain dumplings, yucca fries and various curries. Be forewarned, small dishes means small, servings are not large.
Expensive

Viand Bar and Kitchen
155 E. Ontario St.; (312) 255-8505
Better suited to lunch than dinner, Viand is just one block off Michigan Avenue making for an easy getaway from a busy afternoon shopping on the Magnificent Mile. Viand is a brasserie, done American-style, as only a Kentucky-born chef could do. Lunch offers a large selection of salads, main dishes and some very interesting sandwiches, such as the pastrami cured salmon and avocado and olive tampenade.
Moderate

Wave
644 N. Lake Shore Dr.; (312) 255-4460
This Mediterranean restaurant specializing in seafood is appropriately situated on Lake Shore Drive. Chicago Magazine recommends seafood bouillabaisse. Sleek lines and vibrant colors contribute to Wave's ultimate chicness. Practically flowing into the ultra-trendy W Chicago-Lakeshore Hotel's popular lobby bar, Wave features a communal table ringed by smaller four- and six-seat tables.
Expensive

Vivo
838 W. Randolph; (312) 733-3379
This chic restaurant offers creative Italian fare.
Expensive

Zealous
419 W. Superior; (312) 475-9112
This warm eggplant and olive room has 18-foot ceilings, texturized walls and a two story glassed-in wine tower that can hold 6,000 wine bottles. Zealous' kitchen brilliantly combines different foods, textures and flavors. The multiple-course degustation menus are highly recommended.
Expensive