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

Cafe Instanbul is a Mediterranean restaurant in Wicker Park with great grilled meats and housemade bread.

Vajra is an Indian restaurant in West Town with great food and cocktails.

Virtue is an upscale spot in Hyde Park with great Southern food.

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

Moon Palace is a quiet BYOB restaurant in Chinatown. Order the soup dumplings.

Onward is an upscale restaurant in Rogers Park near the Loyola campus.

RL is a restaurant in the Ralph Lauren store near the Magnificent Mile.

Cabra is a great Peruvian-inspired small plates restaurant in the West Loop.

The Smith is a chain restaurant from New York. It’s a good place to get together when food isn’t the most important aspect of the night.

Galit is a Middle Eastern restaurant in Lincoln Park with great food.

Cira is a Mediterranean restaurant inside The Hoxton hotel in the West Loop.

Jeong is an upscale Korean restaurant in West Town with delicious food.

Pearl's Place is a Southern restaurant in Bronzeville.

Althea is an upscale and creative vegan restaurant in Saks Fifth Avenue.

Gibsons is a classic Chicago steakhouse that deserves its reputation.