Monteverde is an Italian restaurant in the West Loop. It sounds boring on paper, but there’s so much more to it than that. Excellent food all around.

Joe’s is consistently one of the best steakhouses in town, and you shouldn’t even order steak. Stone crabs are where it’s at.

Wherewithall is a fantastic tasting-menu spot in Avondale with excellent food and a menu that changes daily.

The second restaurant in Paul Kahan’s empire, and a Chicago classic.

Hogsalt Hospitality does French food. Patrick Kane once went on a date here and you should too.

Cellar Door Provisions is an excellent cafe and restaurant in Logan Square that’s useful for a lot of situations.

Classy without being overly pretentious. Riccardo Trattoria is one of our favorite Italian restaurants around.

Gilt Bar is the rare River North spot that’s easy to get into, and also has great food. Prepare for a lot of meat, butter, and salt.

Passerotto is a great neighborhood restaurant in Andersonville serving Korean food with some Italian influences.

Mako is a fancy omakase-only restaurant in the West Loop.

A cozy yet lively American bistro that makes for a relaxed, personable, and fun time.

Le Bouchon is a classic French bistro. Get it on your hit list.

Lost Larson is a bakery and restaurant in Andersonville with very good food and a nice outdoor patio.

Income Tax is a restaurant and wine bar in Edgewater serving excellent upscale small plates.

Prime & Provisions is the kind of steakhouse that fits a few different needs. Steaks are good, plus a few wildcard dishes elevate things to the next step.

Bill and Giuliana Rancic force us to like them with excellent Italian food in a trendy setting.