Monteverde is the best Italian restaurant in Chicago. Order lots of pasta.

Ciccio Mio is a great Italian restaurant in River North from the team behind Gilt Bar and Bavette’s.

Good Fortune is a New American spot in Logan Square with a frequently changing menu.

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

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

Woodwind is a small plates restaurant on the 18th floor of a high rise in Streeterville.

Joe’s Imports is a wine bar and small plates place in the West Loop.

Figo is a casual wine bar in Lakeview that’s great for date night or splitting a bottle of wine and small plates with friends.

Rootstock is a low-key wine bar that serves dinner until 1am.

Torchio is a casual Italian restaurant in River North with just-fine handmade pasta.

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

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

Cabana Club is a rooftop bar in the Robey in Wicker Park.

Table Donkey & Stick is an Alpine restaurant in Logan Square.

Mordecai is a pricey restaurant in Wrigleyville with a nice bar, but disappointing food.

Enoteca Roma is a small Italian restaurant in Wicker Park with great pastas and a huge back patio.