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SEE ALSO: Best New Restaurants 2013 »
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1 / 10
SIENA TAVERN Fabio Viviani once made it to Top Chef’s final four. Even cooler: He used to be William Shatner’s personal chef. 51 W. Kinzie St., 312-595-1322
Photo: Anthony Tahlier -
2 / 10
GRACE “Spectacular!” . . . “Astounding!” . . . “Awe inspiring!” . . . “Truly miraculous!” And that’s just the bathrooms. 652 W. Randolph St., 312-234-9494
Photo: Anna Knott Photography -
3 / 10
SUMI ROBATA BAR This charcoal heaven boasts minimal decor and, thanks to popular creations like beef tsukune sliders, maximal crowds. 702 N. Wells St., 312-988-7864
RELATED: Browse pics of Sumi Robata Bar’s tofu panna cotta, shishito peppers, and other goodies on our photo blog What Penny Eats
Photo: Anna Knott -
4 / 10
THE BOARDING HOUSE The BH website says: “Seating in the bar is available without a reservation.” That, friends, is as wishful as thinking gets. 720 N. Wells St., 312-280-0720
RELATED: Browse pics of The Boarding House’s almond financiers, salmon, and other goodies on our photo blog What Penny Eats, browse photos of the weekend crowd on Seen on the Scene, and read our review
Photo: Anna Knott -
5 / 10
LITTLE GOAT DINER Goat meat is popular with about 70 percent of the world’s population. On Randolph Street, it’s 100 percent. 820 W. Randolph St., 312-888-3455
RELATED: Browse pics of Little Goat’s crispy shrimp, kimchi pancake, and other goodies on our photo blog What Penny Eats
Photo: Derek Richmond -
6 / 10
MILT’S BBQ FOR THE PERPLEXED A kosher BBQ joint with a name influenced by Maimonides? OK, now we’ve seen it all. 3411 N. Broadway, 773-661-6384
RELATED: Browse pics of Milt’s BBQ’s combo platter, apple turnovers, and other goodies on our photo blog What Penny Eats
Photo: Photo: Anna Knott Photography -
7 / 10
FOUND Amy Morton is so avant-garde that she believes people should decide for themselves how they want to order. 1631 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 847-868-8945
RELATED: Browse pics of Found’s lamb meatballs, steak, and other goodies on our photo blog What Penny Eats and read our review »
Photo: Photo: Anna Knott Photography -
8 / 10
EARTH + OCEAN Between the valet parking, a deconstructed tamal amuse, and what look like giant mercury beads floating near the ceiling, only your GPS will know you’ve left the city. 125 Randhurst Village Dr., Mount Prospect, 847-398-3636
RELATED: Browse pics of Earth + Ocean’s Tamal Amuse, wings, and other goodies on our photo blog What Penny Eats
Photo: Steve Hardy, Ruffryd Photography -
9 / 10
HOWELLS & HOOD The Trib Tower’s ginormous TV-dominated grill is like Houlihan’s with a journalism degree. 435 N. Michigan Ave., 312-262-5310
Photo: Flik Productions -
10 / 10
GUILDHALL Here’s a can’t-miss team: a former NoMI chef and the CEO of HomeMade Pizza Co. in a space designed by the people behind Balena. 694 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, 847-835-8100
Photo: Tyllie Barbosa