Bistronomic’s mussels, tuna tartare, and artisanal cheese flight
 

PARIS CLUB It’s not overly Parisian, nor is it particularly clubby. Not that patrons seem to mind on either count. 59 W. Hubbard St.; 312-595-0800. More on Paris Club »

FISH BAR Hey, Kornick and Morton, here’s an idea: Sell buttons that say “I Waited Two Hours for Fried Clams.” 2956 N. Sheffield Ave.; 773-687-8177

MAUDE’S LIQUOR BAR A chef-driven bistro that blasts the Clash and the Pixies? Count us—and everyone else—in. 840 W. Randolph St.; 312-243-9712. The Chaser Amalie Drury’s night out at Maude’s »

BISTRONOMIC The name sounds like a number-crunching class at the Sorbonne. If there were one, Martial Noguier’s popular spot would be on the syllabus. 840 N. Wabash Ave.; 312-944-8400. Read our Q&A with Noguier, the chef-partner at our pick for Best New Restaurant in 2011 »

BITE CAFE A 15-year-old joint hotter than Lady Gaga? That’s what happens when Bruce Finkelman (Longman & Eagle) reinvents the American diner. 1039 N. Western Ave.; 773-395-2483. Browse photos of Bite’s garlic chicken and other delicious dishes in our dining editor’s photo-blog, What Penny Eats »

ING Egghead chef’s laboratory? Beer-swilling-hipster haven? Moto for the masses? All of the above. 951 W. Fulton Market; 855-834-6464. Read Chef Homaru Cantu’s description of his new restaurant »

THE FRONTIER Any restaurant that can pack the house on any given Tuesday night is doing something right. 1072 N. Milwaukee Ave.; 773-772-4322. Check out photos of The Frontier in our nightlife photo-blog, Seen on the Scene »

AUSTIN BBQ Don’t mess with Texas? These folks don’t, with their big red Oyler smoker and bona fide brisket. 226 W. Front St., Wheaton; 630-690-0526. Find out how pit master Doug Pierce emulates techniques from the Lone Star State »

KINGFISHER This fish house is still getting its sea legs in Edgewater; Edgewater is getting its crab legs. 5721 N. Clark St.; 773-506-7014

DAVANTI ENOTECA Scott Harris could open five more joints, and none would be this good. Actually, that’s what happened. 1359 W. Taylor St.; 312-226-5550. Read our review »

Photograph: Anna Knott