1 / 10 PUMP ROOM When Sinatra wanted to eat here, he just paid everyone’s bill to clear out the room. If only. Public Chicago, 1301 N. State Pkwy.; 312-601-2970. Read our review »Photograph: Public Chicago 2 / 10 VERA Charging $6 for bread and butter could lead to Occupy Lake Street protests. But it’s really good bread and butter. 1023 W. Lake St.; 312-243-9770. Check out photos of Vera's garlic prawns, roasted beets, and other goodies on our photo blog, What Penny Eats »Photograph: Vera Chicago 3 / 10 2SPARROWS These days, Charlie Trotter’s vets open a brunch place and no one wails that they’re slumming. 553 W. Diversey Pkwy.; 773-234-2320Photograph: Ryan Moore Photography 4 / 10 LAKE STREET KITCHEN + BAR Look hip, tout farm-to-table, load up on microbrews, and declare victory. 1101 Lake St., Oak Park; 708-383-5253Photograph: Courtesy of the restaurant 5 / 10 GRANGE HALL FARM BURGER When is a burger joint more than a burger joint? When it churns ice cream and bakes its own pies. 844 W. Randolph St.; 312-491-0844Photograph: Chris Lee 6 / 10 ROKA AKOR The colder it gets outside, the better eating meat cooked on 1,800-degree mesquite coals sounds. 111 W. Illinois St.; 312-477-7652. Read our review »Photograph: Anna Knott 7 / 10 FILINI The dining room at this shimmering Lakeshore East spot gets almost as much action as its lounge. Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, 221 N. Columbus Dr.; 312-477-0234Photograph: Courtesy of the restaurant 8 / 10 TELEGRAPH A telegraph is a device for transmitting messages over long distances. Like the distance between you and an open table at this wine bar. 2601 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-292-9463. A few tips for patrons »Photograph: Katrina Wittkamp 9 / 10 MICHAEL JORDAN’S STEAK HOUSE Why does MJ keep showing up at the Pump Room? Apparently he can’t get a table at his own restaurant. InterContinental Hotel, 505 N. Michigan Ave.; 312-321-8823 Read our review »Photograph: Steven Johnson 10 / 10 BUTCHER & THE BURGER Guess “Butcher & the Burger & Custard & Beignets” didn’t fit on the awning. 1021 W. Armitage Ave.; 773-697-3735Photograph: Isabelli Media Relations The Hot List: 10 places everyone’s talking about and dining at in January—in order of heat Chicago’s most-buzzed-about restaurants this month By Penny Pollack and Jeff Ruby January 5, 2012, 12:02 pm Click thumbnails to launch gallery. ALSO SEE: Best New Restaurants 2011 »