Gold Coast | Mag Mile | Streeterville

Avenues   http://chicago.peninsula.com/pch/dining_01.html
Chef Graham Elliot Bowles dishes up some culinary magic, but he?s a bit more grounded and seasonal than the whimsical chef-wizards with whom he is often categorized. On his current menu, he?s pairing spring peas with grilled Meyer-lemon rind and eucalyptus marshmallows; wild king salmon confit with crispy pork belly and merlot risotto; and red and golden beets with hazelnut brittle and Roquefort foam. The formal dining room glows golden with a view of the Mag Mile below?a perfect setting to splurge, sit back and let the experience unfold. 108 E Superior St between Rush St and Michigan Ave (312-573-6754). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 3, X3, 4 (24hrs), X4, 10, 26, 125, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24hrs). Dinner (Tue?Sat). Average degustation: $70. Vegetarian-friendly.

1492 Tapas Bar www.1492tapasbar.com
If we have to explain to you how this place got its name, it?s time to go back to school. But if it?s tapas you want an education on, the 48 varieties on offer here should be a good primer. Excellent imported meats include thin, pink slices of lomo and smoky, crispy-skinned links of chorizo. Goat cheese croquettes (fried sans batter) are paired with sticky, sweet balsamic. Paella looks and tastes lackluster, so ignore it. But don?t skip dessert. We know, desserts aren?t the strong point of tapas joints, but the luscious creme catalana? Let?s just say it schooled us. 42 E Superior St at Wabash Ave (312-867-1492). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 36, 66 (24 hrs), 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 (24 hrs). Lunch, dinner. Average small plate: $7. Vegetarian-friendly/Outdoor seating

Bella Lounge www.bellalounge.com

Chef Brian Jupiter has come up with a menu of upscale bar snacks for his heavily sequined clientle of celebrities, celebrity wanna-bes and celebrity stalkers. His beef tenderloin skewers could be something out of a T.G.I. Friday's kitchen if they weren't so tenderly prepared. His thin-crust buffalo-chicken pizza, while tasty, can't escape that stigma. But Jupiter's game is elevated with his "tuna two ways": tangy tartare and a seared filet on a bed of risotto sweetened with corn and lobster. Yet no matter how good the food is or how many movie stars roll up, the cocktails will never be worth the asking price of $14. 1212 N State St between Division and Goethe Sts (312-787-9405). El: Red to Clark/Division. Bus: 22 (24 hrs), 36, 70. Brunch (Sat, Sun), dinner. Average main course: $25. Serving after 10pm/Brunch served

Big Bowl www.bigbowl.com
After local chain Lettuce Entertain You sold this pan-Asian money-maker to the folks behind Chili's, the restaurant slacked on quality. So LEYE bought it back and enlisted chef Matt McMillin to revamp the food. A handful of favorites such as kung pao were kept, but thanks to freshly roasted peanuts, fiery blistered chilies and made-to-order sauces, they're better than ever. Find the "new" icon that litters the menu and try Chinese specialties like Szechuan eggplant or hot and sour soup, and Thai curries like a bright and tangy scallop and shrimp combo or the flavor-packed "blazing" red curry steak. Star sommelier Belinda Chang has set up a great list, with interesting, spice-friendly wines offered by half-glass, glass and bottle. 6 E Cedar St at Rush St (312-640-8888). El: Red to Clark/Division. Bus: 36 Broadway, 70 Division. Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $12. Vegetarian-friendly

Caf? Spiaggia  www.levyrestaurants.com
If you?ve always wanted to dine at Spiaggia but just can?t foot the bill, your solution is this adjacent sibling caf?. The ingredients come from the same kitchen, so they?re just as impeccable, and the attention to regional (mostly Northern) Italian tradition is just as detailed. The room is more casual, prices are lower and service is less formal, making it a perfect lunch escape from Mag Mile shopping. House-cured sardines, lemon-dressed arugula or buffalo mozz with oven-roasted tomatoes are all great starts, but save room for incredible pastas like gnocchi pillows in perfect wild-boar rag? or strands of perciatelle tossed with guanciale, Calabrian peppers, garlic, onion and fresh basil. An Illy espresso will keep you from needing a nap. 980 N Michigan Ave between Oak St and Walton Pl (312-280-2750). El: Red to Clark/Division. Bus: 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24 hrs). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $17. Vegetarian-friendly.

Coco Pazzo  www.cocopazzochicago.com
The soft focaccia and fruity olive oil delivered to your table at this popular Gold Coast mainstay are good indicators of what's to come. Start with some antipasti?it's not on the menu, but on your way in you probably passed by a table stocked with the wonderful chunks of Parmesan, white beans slick with olive oil and herbs, and thin slices of tender prosciutto. The garganelli pasta dish is rich with pecorino cheese and salty pancetta bits; the halibut with bright pesto is light, yet meaty; and house-made gelatos are decadent endings. All of which, we promise, is worth dealing with the lazy service. 300 W Hubbard St at Franklin St (312-836-0900). El: Brown, Purple (rush hrs) to Merchandise Mart. Bus: 37, 65, 125. Lunch (Mon?Fri), Dinner. Average main course: $17.

Copperblue  www.copperbluechicago.com
Since copperblue opened less than a year ago, we?ve been impressed with how chef-owners Michael Tsonton and Victor Newgren keep their atmosphere and service down-to-earth. Even their menu is getting in on their relaxed vibe: First and second courses are now divided into ?Work? (featuring ?humble? dishes such as roasted pork shoulder and grilled shrimp with blue crab salad) and ?Play? (?whimsical and fun? dishes like organic duck two ways and braised rabbit empanadas). But if you?re all business (or all play), don?t worry: A database keeps track of customers? likes and dislikes, ensuring that the experience is tailored to your preferences. 505 N Lake Shore Dr, Lake Point Tower (Illinois Ave entrance) (312-527-1200). Bus: 2, 3, 29, 65, 66 (24 hrs), 124, 157. Dinner (Tue?Sat). Average main course: $26.

Drake Bros.
This unsung steakhouse doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel, but that's no sin when the steaks are this incredible. Great meat comes at a price, but the impending tab is no matter after tasting the smooth, smoky, dry-aged New York strip, which might just be the best steak we've ever eaten. Not far behind was the butter-soft, marrow-encrusted sirloin, so rich it could double for dessert. Ask for the house-made mashed potatoes and chipotle-spiked corn on the side, and a prime table by the window. 140 E Walton Pl at Michigan Ave (312-932-4626). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 10, 66 (24 hrs), 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 (24 hrs), 157. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average main course: $40.

Eppy's Deli  www.centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/eppysdeli.html
"Larry the Jew" is at the helm of this slick underground operation, which has all the chutzpah of a New York Jewish deli but none of the grittiness. Ordering your sandwich on the marbled rye is your best bet, and whether you go with thinly sliced turkey or celery-flecked tuna salad, the goods are piled on thick and high. Sides like tangy potato salad and an assortment of mustards will keep you happy, but it's the gooey, heart-stopping, grilled Reuben that will keep you coming back. 224 E Ontario St between St. Clair St and Fairbanks Ct (312-943-7797). El: Red to Grand. Bus: 2, 3, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24 hrs), 157. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average sandwich: $6.

Fornetto Mei  www.thewhitehallhotel.com/restaurant.html
Hey, we thought it was weird, to A menu that's two-thirds Italian and one-third Asian would normally send us running. (So would the atrocious upholstery on the banquettes.) But this place surprised us at every turn. We watched as a pizza maker rolled out the dough for our deliciously sweet, creamy, salty pie of grapes, goat cheese and sausage and baked it to perfection in a wood-burning oven. Later, luscious potato gnocchi beckoned to us from under a ragout of braised oxtail. And believe it or not, a trio of plump seafood dumplings were tasty little things that could have come out of any Chinese kitchen?or, for that matter, an Italian one. If they could hook up a better sign to let people know they're there, they may not be empty for long. 107 E Delaware Pl between Rush St and Michigan Ave (312-573-6300). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24 hrs). Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average main course: $22. Brunch served

Hugo's Frog Bar  www.hugosfrogbar.com
Smack dab in the Gold Coast, this favorite for huge portions of upscale eats shares not only the kitchen of Gibson's Steakhouse but also the slick tie-and-blazer crowd that loves them both. The boardroom?meets?Rat-Pack decor is full of dark wood, leather booths, brass sconces and career servers hoisting huge trays spilling over with succulent and sweet Alaska king crab legs, giant Australian lobster tails and wet-aged porterhouse steaks. The old-school classics are prepared well; a few even qualify as addictive. We like the clams "casino" (bread crumb- and bacon-topped baked clams), the frog legs with garlic butter and the smoked salmon, which is heat-smoked rather than cured, clumped together with shaved fennel on toasted baguette. 1024 N Rush St between Oak St and Bellevue Pl (312-640-0999). El: Red to Clark/Division. Bus: 36 Broadway. Dinner. Average main course: $25.

Le Petite Paris  http://centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/le-petit.html
Francophiles should pop some Xanax before walking into this overlooked dining room?the extreme Frenchiness of it all may force them into a fit of European bliss. The rest of us may need some, too, because you should be relaxed when the pace of the meal is this purposefully slow. Patience is rewarded with the delightful amuse-bouche of deviled eggs; a tilapia entr?e touched with white wine and thyme; and a rich coq au vin made with chicken that?s been marinating for five days. It?s not going to win a Michelin star anytime soon, but for those of us who don?t have Paris in our immediate travel plans, it?s a dependable stand-in. 260 E Chestnut St between DeWitt Pl and Lake Shore Dr (312-787-8260). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 10, 125, 157. Dinner. Average main course: $20.

Max & Benny?s  www.maxandbennys.com 
So this is what the modern deli has come t a large pastel room in the corner of an AMC movie-theater complex. With no counters and no cranky pastrami guy, the only thing giving this Northbrook offshoot any moxie is the menu. ?Grandpa?s Favorite? kills three birds with one stone as it piles lean (and therefore somewhat dry) corned beef and pastrami with creamy chopped liver on rye. Hand-cut lox is fresh, and so are the house-baked bagels on which you pile them. Egg creams are tall, fizzy affairs that take you back to the good old days?even if Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is playing just one story above you. 332 E Illinois St between Fairbanks and McClurg Cts (312-321-9490). El: Red to Grand. Bus: 2, 29, 65, 66 (24 hrs), 124. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average main course: $7.

NoMI  www.nomirestaurant.com
Christophe David had some pretty big shoes to fill when he took over the kitchen at NoMI, but now that he?s been there for a while he seems to be coming into his own. Like the good Frenchman he is, he takes where his food comes from very seriously, and for spring he?s offering an appetizer of morels (served with Virginia ham) from Washington State, veal (paired with creamy polenta and chanterelle mushrooms) from Four Story Hill Farms, and lamb (with artichokes and a natural jus) from Summerfield Farms. Spring desserts include a pineapple-coconut panna cotta and a citrus Napoleon, but you may want to end your meal with something from the restaurant?s vintage tea list instead. 800 N Michigan Ave between Chicago Ave and Pearson St (312-239-4030). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 3, 10, 26, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24hrs). Breakfast, brunch (Sat, Sun), lunch (Mon?Fri), dinner. Average main course: $36. Outdoor seating. Brunch served.

Osaka http://centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/osakaexpress.html
So the sushi isn't going to change your life or replace your swank weekend sushi bar, but we love this carry-out spot as an easy Loop lunch option. Zippy chefs concoct daily specials like eel rainbow rolls and nigiri orders on the fly, while the refrigerated case is stocked with just-made combos (Cali, Philly and spicy tuna is a good one). Miso soup and seaweed salad are tasty, but a bit salty, and the cool edamame (soybean pods) are a ready-to-go protein boost. But our hands-down favorite thing about the place is the "wall of fruit": It's the sign that true fresh-fruit smoothies are being made (in flavors like watermelon, lychee, mango and avocado) in an area where other spots use that grainy, premade powder, tapioca drink crap. 400 S Michigan Ave at Van Buren St (312-566-0118). El: Brown, Green, Orange, Purple (rush hrs) to Adams; Red, Blue to Jackson. Bus: 1, 3, 4, X4, 6, 7, 14, 26, 28, 126, 127, 145. Lunch, dinner (closed Sun). Average nigiri: $1.75. Vegetarian-friendly

Pane Caldo   http://mobiltravelguide.howstuffworks.com/pane-caldo-chicago-il-restaurant.htm
The authentic Northern Italian eats at this tony Streeterville mainstay are luscious enough to make you forget their over-inflated price tags. (Come on, half-orders of pasta for $27?) But if you can swing it, go all the way, dahling. Order up a bottle of Barolo and start off with smoky duck prosciutto paired with sweet slices of honeydew. Move on to buttery risotto sprinkled with slices of black truffles and follow up with organic chicken stuffed with spinach, mozzarella and wild mushrooms. Dessert shifts gears by heading for France, with bombes and financiers as dolled up as most of the patrons. 72 E Walton St between Rush St and Lake Shore Dr (312-649-0055). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 36, 66 (24 hrs), 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 (24 hrs). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $33.

The Pump Room  www.pumproom.com
You?ve forgotten all about this place, or you never really had it on your radar. That?s fair. But this regal dining room, sparkling chandeliers and all, is waking up and hoping to return to the top of Chicago?s restaurant scene. To that end, executive chef Nick Sutton has padded his spring menu with creative, seasonal dishes such as pan-roasted halibut with rhubarb puree, pickled ramps and candy-striped beets; confit of roasted salmon with avocado puree and a citrus emulsion; and veal loin with goat-cheese ravioli, mustard greens and English peas. 1301 N State Pkwy at Goethe St (312-266-0360). El: Red to Clark/Division. Bus: 22 (24hrs), 36, 70. Breakfast, lunch (Mon?Sat), dinner. Average main course: $26. Serving after 10pm. Brunch served.

Ritz-Carlton Caf?  http://www.fourseasons.com/chicagorc/dining/the_cafe.html
The Dining Room has ended its era (banquets and private affairs may still be held there), so chef Mark Payne has shifted his focus onto the Caf?. Winners abound on the recently unveiled menu: Roasted Vidalia onion soup is sweet from caramelized onions and rich from beef shank braised in the broth, a mound of prime steak tartare is coupled with waffle-cut potatoes fried in duck fat and drizzled with truffle oil, and there?s a fantastic ricotta gnocchi tossed in duck rag? with briny olives and aged pecorino shards. Compared to these gems, desserts are a bit lackluster. Ingredients are top notch and execution is nearly flawless, but it?s the high prices that keep us from making the Caf? a regular spot. 160 E Pearson St between Michigan Ave and Mies van der Rohe Way (312-573-5223). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 3, 4 (24 hrs), X4, 10, 26, 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24 hrs). Brunch (Sun), dinner (closed Mon). Average degustation: $75. Brunch served. Vegetarian-friendly.

Rosebud Steakhouse   www.RosebudRestaurants.com
Relax?this isn?t the touristy red-sauce joint on Rush Street. Here, there?s not a fanny pack in sight. Instead, this bustling, low-lit room is full of dark wood and red leather, lending it an old-school feel. If you can get a seat (be sure to make a reservation), you?ll be told about the specialty, a bone-in fillet: It?s soft as pudding, but a little underseasoned. The perfectly pink Norwegian salmon is offered with an optional wasabi glaze, which you should get for the additional depth and heat. And if you?re on a budget, grab the burger. It?s thick, juicy, great with blue cheese, and only sets you back ten bucks. 192 E Walton St between Michigan Ave and Mies van der Rohe Way (312-255-9929). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 36, 66 (24 hrs), 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 (24 hrs). Lunch (Mon?Fri), dinner. Average main course: $27.

Saloon Steakhouse www.saloonsteakhouse.com
Its positioning of steak over shtick and the low celebrity quotient means that this gem often gets overlooked in the classic Chicago steakhouse scene. But it hits every requisite element with consistency?white coats on the waiters, autographed baseballs along the walls and butter-soft steaks. The bone-in filet is as flavorful as any we've ever had, and the house specialty, the Wagyu (the American version of Kobe beef) filet, while definitely not cheap, was incredibly tender. The lobster-tail appetizer was a smidge underwhelming, and the ahi tuna nachos (sounds bad, tastes good) had a welcome, surprising kick. But the beef is really where it's at on this menu, and sometimes, you just want a nice, juicy steak minus Nicole Richie sightings. 200 E Chestnut St at Mies van der Rohe Way (312-280-5454). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24 hrs). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $35.

Sarah?s Pastries and Candies  www.sarahscandies.com
Sarah Levy had to close her popular candy store/bakery at 11 East Oak Street to make way for a bigger, better Barneys. But she hasn?t moved far: She recently reopened at 70 East Oak Street, where there?s more room for her crunchy clusters of chocolate and nuts, her mom?s fudgy brownies and decadent breakfast goods like chocolate-raspberry brioche and croissants. Just as she did last summer, she?s selling gelati this year in flavors such as chocolate peanut butter, Tahitian vanilla and double-chocolate chunk. We?d scream at her for making our bodies decidedly not swimsuit-ready, but, alas, when we?re here, our mouths are always full. 70 E Oak St between Rush St and Lake Shore Dr (312-664-6223). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 36, 66 (24hrs), 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 (24hrs). Tue?Thu 8am?7pm; Fri, Sat 8am?9pm; Sun 10am?6pm. Average ice-cream cone: $2.25. Outdoor seating.

Sayat Nova  http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2823924-sayat_nova_chicago-i
It may be a Magnificent Mile for shopping, but when it comes to dinner, Michigan Avenue often comes up dry. If you're looking for something other than burgers and swanky Italian, head for this unassuming Armenian restaurant (the only Armenian place we know of in town). Sink into a booth in one of the room's dim and romantic corners and recharge with cheesy, flaky spinach-stuffed phyllo triangles (called boereg); juicy, flavorful kebabs; and bowls of spinach flavored with sweet onion and lemon. The lone server can make the experience infuriatingly slow, but that's nothing the mahalabeya?a creamy milk pudding topped with walnuts and lemon syrup?can't make you forget. 157 E Ohio St between St. Clair St and Michigan Ave (312-644-9159). El: Red to Grand. Bus: 2, 3, 10, 26, 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 (24 hrs), 157. Lunch (Mon?Sat), dinner. Average main course: $13. Vegetarian-friendly

Silver Spoon  http://centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/silverspoon.html
We couldn't help but have high hopes we'd find authentic chow here. This newish Thai spot is the sister restaurant of Lincoln Square's outstanding Spoon Thai, and being right next to the Thai Consulate, we figured the food would be far from Americanized stuff. Surprisingly, the fare is decidedly tamed down for Gold Coast tastes. This isn't necessarily a bad thing (and could be a good jumping off point for Thai-food novices) because what it does, it does well. Chive dumplings get things off to a good start, the somtum (papaya salad) is fiery and flavorful, and the panang beef curry is perfectly balanced, with manageable heat. And though we were skeptical of sushi in a Thai joint, the nigiri layers superfresh fish atop well-made rice. 710 N Rush St between Superior and Huron Sts (312-944-7100). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 3, 4 (24 hrs), X4, 10, 26, 66 (24 hrs), 145, 146, 147, 151 (24 hrs). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $7. Vegetarian-friendly

Spiaggia  http://www.levyrestaurants.com/Levy/DiningExperiences/Restaurants/Group2/Spiaggia.htm
Want to skip rent this month and have the best Italian fine-dining experience in town? Splurge here. Chefs Tony Mantuano and Missy Robbins marry imported Italian foodstuffs with top-notch American ingredients and a deep understanding of cuisine from the north end of ?the boot.? Kobe tartare glows with truffle oil, langoustinos melt in your mouth, wood-roasted sea bass gets punch from olives and orange essence, filet gets elevated with a marrow crust, and pastas? Fuhgeddaboudit. They?re incredibly delicious, made fresh every day. Toss in a two-dozen?choice cheese cave and perfect service, and you?ve got a night that?s worth dodging the landlord. 980 N Michigan Ave between Oak St and Walton Pl (312-280-2750). El: Red to Clark/Division. Bus: 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24hrs). Dinner. Average main course: $37.

Soupbox www.thesoupbox.com
You can take Emergen-C, pop Tylenol and swig DayQuil all you want, but you?re never going to get over that cold without some chicken-noodle soup. Luckily, with three locations (find ?em at www.thesoupbox.com), you?re likely to find Soupbox?s freshly made soup somewhere nearby. The Chicago Avenue location also features made-to-order salads for everyday eating, but when you get sick, go for one of the 12 daily soups on offer. We like the delicious (but slightly thin) vegetarian chili and hearty Southwestern bean, but we wouldn?t recommend the rich, soy cream?based clam chowder if you?re all stuffed up; just use it as inspiration to get better. 50 E Chicago Ave between Wabash Ave and Rush St (312-951-5900). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 3, 4 (24 hrs), X4, 10, 26, 66 (24 hrs), 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151 (24 hrs). 11am?10pm. Average bowl of soup: $5.50. Vegetarian-friendly.

Sugar & Brown?s  http://www.sugarandbrowns.com/home.html
A $10 sandwich? Yeah, we flinched, too. But then we got caught up in this new spot?s swank chocolate-and-chrome interior, the plush lounge chairs, the mod faux fireplace (cool-looking, not heat-emitting), the nifty electronic table markers that signal to staffers where to deliver that $10 sandwich after it?s ordered, and the unbelievably friendly service. Meats are fancy brands (Nueske?s ham is prominent), veggies are fresh, combos are clever and the overall menu is high-quality. The Thai-ish smoked-chicken salad and ?ultimate club? sandwich are both tasty, but we might skip the entr?e of two crab cakes for $20 next time. We need the extra dough for a $4 scoop of ice cream. 158 W Ontario St between LaSalle Blvd and Wells St (312-787-8427). El: Red to Grand. Bus: 11, 65, 125, 156. Breakfast, lunch. Average sandwich: $10. Vegetarian-friendly.

Tempo http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=1319
Greek diners don't typically reach cult status, but somewhere along the line, this unassuming Gold Coast staple picked up a few celebrity endorsements and became a destination for locals and tourists alike. Is it worth dealing with the mobs on the weekend? Well, we don't know another place that serves egg skillets like this spot: The portion is enormous, the eggs are soft and fluffy, and Tempo is smart enough to know that the only bread that can stand up to eggs are thick slices of Texas toast. So if you're into that?or equally massive plates of pancakes and French toast?go for it. Just bring a book. 6 E Chestnut St at State St (312-943-4373). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 22 (24 hrs), 36, 66 (24 hrs). Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average main course: $7. Serving after 10pm

The Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton http://www.fourseasons.com/chicagorc/dining.html
Chef Kevin Hickey had big shoes to fill when he took over this stately hotel dining room so that chef Sarah Stegner could open her own place, Prairie Grass Cafe. But we're glad that Hickey has stuck with Stegner's organic and local ethics, and we like the flexibility of a menu that lets diners choose three, four or five courses from any of the tempting categories. And we love the international flair Hickey has added to seasonal dishes: wild salmon is crusted with Vietnamese sausage and served with buttered ramps; kurobuta pork tenderloin is poached in plum wine and arrives with braised local greens; and Thai-steered lobster bisque gets langoustine dumplings. It's a whole new game from Stegner's ode to the Midwest, but we welcome the evolution. 160 E Pearson St between Michigan Ave and Mies Van Der Rohe Way (312-573-5223). Bus: 3, x4, 10, 26, 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 151. Dinner (closed Mon). Average degustation: $75.

TRU http://www.trurestaurant.com 
Locals in the habit of splurging are familiar with Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand's contemporary creations at special-occasion prices. But the secret to indulging without selling a kidney is the amuse-bouche collection, three courses of what TRU calls "quartets"?four individual creations?available to those not too snobby to eat in the lounge. Twelve tastes for $45 is a steal, starting with cold bites like fluke sashimi with radish salad, then trademark soups like blistered corn with white corn ice and finally sample sizes of entrees like seared cumin-crusted squab with tart huckleberries. Finish with a five-course mini-dessert tasting for only $25. 676 N Saint Clair St at Huron St (312-202-0001). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 151 Sheridan (24 hrs). Dinner. Closed Sun. Average 3-course prix fixe: $80. Vegetarian-friendly

Wave http://centerstagechicago.com/restaurants/wave.html
Hotel lobbies aren't our dining rooms of choice, but we make an exception for the sultry vibe of this low-lit Mediterranean spot with a lake view from the patio. Looking at the menu can induce sticker shock?a lot of these teeny small plates are overpriced?so avoid buyer's remorse with standouts like the watermelon salad, which pairs cool cubes of melon with fiery spice-cured beef and creamy feta; crudo (slivers of raw scallops and tuna) packs big, sprightly flavors; and a bouillabaisselike seafood tagine, rife with fresh clams and shrimp. Ignore the waiter's hard sell; three small plates and two large will feed a group of four just fine. 644 N Lake Shore Dr between Ontario and Erie Sts (312-255-4460). Bus: 134, 135, 136. Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average small plate: $11.

Bice Ristorante http://bice.ws/BICE-CHICAGO.htm
You don?t hear much about this big, bilevel restaurant in the Gold Coast. But there?s something to be said about an Italian spot that?s outlasted countless restaurants in the 17 years it?s been open. We think its secret is keeping things simple: The warm and inviting dining room and curvaceous bar entice diners, and the food doesn?t disappoint. There?s delicate, paper-thin slices of tuna carpaccio; impeccably fresh buffalo mozzarella; hearty bowls of cheesy, house-made gnocchi; and a wine list that?like everything else?is nothing if not dependable. 158 E Ontario St between Michigan Ave and St. Clair St (312-664-1474). El: Red to Grand. Bus: 3, 10, 26, 125, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 (24 hrs). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $20.Vegetarian-friendly

Viand http://www.viandchicago.com
Tourists can?t help but frequent Viand?it?s adjacent to the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel. But don?t hold that against it: This American eatery serves food that is surprisingly un-hotellike. Cornmeal-crusted calamari gets a Thai treatment, served with a peanut sauce, sweet chili sauce and basil aioli. Tuna arrives two ways: as a Caribbean-influenced tartare and seared and plated over fried green tomatoes. Steaks are a huge draw (tourists just love ?em), and the flat iron, though gristly, gains great flavor from its roasted mushrooms and onions. If it?s dessert you want, we suggest you drink it: A fabulous lineup of cocktails (such as lavender limeade) beats out cr?me br?l?e any day. 155 E Ontario St between Michigan Ave and St Clair St (312-255-8505). El: Red to Grand. Bus: 65, 146, 147, 151 (24 hrs). Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Average main course: $14.

Wow Bao http://www.wowbao.com
The "wow" factor at this take-out joint dedicated to bao (steamed Asian dumplings) could be anything: It could be the fluffy bao stuffed with sweet, dark-red barbecue pork, spicy Mongolian beef or Thai curry chicken. It could be the kung pao rice bowls laced with crunchy cashews, or maybe the pomegranate ginger ale spiked with sharp slivers of fresh ginger. But it's probably the mere fact that you're eating so well at a fast-food restaurant in a mall. Water Tower Place, 835 N Michigan Ave between Pearson and Chestnut Sts (312-642-5888). El: Red to Chicago. Bus: 66 (24 hrs), 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 151 (24 hrs). Lunch, dinner. Average main course: $3. Vegetarian-friendly