If you've had the excellent steak, maybe it's time to try the burger - one of the best in the city. Technically it's only on the lunch menu, but you can ask for it anytime - no one will blame you.
This high-end spot has the traditional fare (caviar, tartare) as well as a wide variety of creative new dishes: Moroccan-spiced Scottish salmon with Meyer lemon and Israeli couscous is a recent fave.
A sister cafe to the impressive Italian fine-dining venue, the cafe boasts lake views and consistently delicious fare, such as the gnocchi tossed with green beans, potatoes, and pesto.
Traditional fare is sparked to life with quirky touches of molecular gastronomy - foam, "snow," and Altoids are no strangers to your plates during a visit to this refined venue... with a twist.
The more casual of Elysian's two restaurants, Balsan is a buzzy bistro with a wandering menu created for the adventurous. Sample the small plates for fun, but the suckling pig platter reigns supreme.
This surf-and-turf spot focuses more on turf, with exotic, fall-off-the-bone tender results. The steakhouse sides are dreamy, too: try the fingerling potatoes with black truffles.
French spins on American cuisine put this 40th-floor gem on top of the world. Sample the signature roasted lobster in Gewürztraminer-ginger butter sauce, but save room for the stellar cheese platter.
Chicago's famous pizza is at its acme here - the cheese and sausage pie is deep-dish nirvana.
This eponymous restaurant from a rising culinary star does not disappoint. Its small-plate offerings, like a gigantic buffalo chicken wing with Budweiser foam, are a joyous, delicious laugh.
This "hotspot" (literally!) keeps patrons warm during the winter - its 1,100°F Vulcan broiler sears steaks to perfection with plenty of heat to spare. Sip on icy martinis to keep cool in the summer.
Like the food, the stylish bi-level dining room achieves a balance between elegant and easygoing. Make sure to save room for dessert - pastry chef Kate Neumann is sure to be a rising star.
A restaurant that does one thing so well nothing else matters, Mr. Beef turns out a juicy Italian beef sandwich customized to order. Also great? The fries - and try a sub with red peppers for variety.
Learn where your food comes from at this farm-to-table restaurant, and enjoy the daily-changing menu while gazing at the "rural" scenery - it's located in a park that serves as oasis for the city.
This venue has surrendered happily to the small plate movement; only 6 items on the menu are full-size. Roasted artichoke crostini and whipped brandade with garlic bread & fresh herbs are winners.
This riverfront hotspot is minimalist and organic in all aspects, but its austere dishes are never lacking in flavor. Cook your own Kobe beef on sizzling rocks as you sip sake from the extensive list.
South American cuisine and brightly colored decor will transport you to, well, Carnivale! Try the rum-glazed roast pork or pupusas stuffed with oxtail, cheese, and refried beans.
Famous for its authentic Swedish meatballs, Ann Sather is loved by locals (Scandinavian or not) for its desserts - gigantic cinnamon rolls and marzipan cream cakes.
This self-avowed "beer focused restaurant" combines European beer-hall decor with fresh farmhouse fare. Their small plates are a must, from hearty pork rillettes to juicy yellow beets.
A hidden second floor of dining space is only the introduction to the surprising, delightful meals to be had at this elegant venue. 12- and 24-course meals are massive, mouth-watering undertakings.
Chef Homaro Cantu has become the poster child of the mad-scientist conceptual-cooking fad in America. The result is "postmodern interactive cuisine" that is worth the experiment.
Contemporary French cuisine is served amid elegant surroundings at this restaurant, owned in part by Chicago superstar Michael Jordan himself. Try the mushroom-stuffed guinea hen breast.
This BYOB, wallet-friendly favorite fuses Thai and Japanese cuisines for a menu that is delicious and never boring. Lunch specials are an even bigger bargain!
Sure, you could order a classic beef frank with relish, but with odd, intriguing menu items like goji-berry pheasant sausage with jerk mayonnaise & cheese-stuffed sweet peppers, how could you resist?
This cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner effortlessly and without pretension. Best of the best include brioche French toast and roast leg of lamb with sherry-braised black figs.
The Top Chef contestant and co-owner is best known for his love of pork, but the true highlight of this hotspot is its focus on local ingredients. Try the wood-roasted duck breast with Georgia peaches
Grace's Caramel Bar provides a hefty vehicle for sugar consumption. Chewy caramel, chocolate chips, and walnuts are sandwiched between layers of chocolate that's a textural mix of cake and brownie.
