Click the thumbnails below to launch the gallery.
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2 / 10
BAFFO If a manic food court doesn’t appeal to you, choose Eataly’s reservations-recommended sit-down expense-account breaker. 44 E. Grand Ave., 312-521-8701
Photo: Courtesy of Baffo -
3 / 10
NICO OSTERIA HQ for a stylish crowd taking back Rush Street from the tanned phonies who have claimed it for years. Thompson Hotel, 1015 N. Rush St., 312-994-7100
Related: Read more about one of Chicago’s best new bars.
Photo: John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune -
4 / 10
PEARL TAVERN Don’t tell the tourists: This place is spacious, sexy, and beautiful, and it’s way into the trendiest food in town: oysters. 180 N. Wacker Dr., 312-629-1030
Photo: Courtesy of Pearl Tavern -
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7 / 10
AZZURRA If Chicago is the quintessential steak-and-potatoes town, why are there six jam-packed Italian joints on this list? 1467 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-278-5959
Related: Read our dining critic’s first impressions of Azzurra on our photo blog, What Penny Eats.
Photo: Kaitlyn McQuaid -
8 / 10
LA CRÊPERIE To the delight of all Lake View, 75-year-young Germain Roignant reopened his beloved crêpe café. 2845 N. Clark St., 773-528-9050
Photo: Courtesy of La Crêperie -
9 / 10
PIZZERIA DA NELLA CUCINA NAPOLETANA West burbanites have only one complaint about Pizzeria da Nella Cucina Napoletana: The name is too long. 598 E. North Ave., Carol Stream, 630-580-9143
Related: View pics of Pizzeria da Nella Cucina Napoletana’s Allessia pizza, sauteed eggplant, and more on our photoblog, What Penny Eats.
Photo: Courtesy of Pizzeria da Nella Cucina Napoletana -
10 / 10
COPPERVINE Lincoln Parkers now know what wine, beer, or cocktail pairs best with everything from Marcona almonds to pear crostata. 1962 N. Halsted St., 773-935-1000
Related: Read more about this wine and food restaurant here.
Photo: Barry Brecheisen