Southern American$$andersonvilleMon-Thu 11:00-15:00; Mon-Thu 16:30-20:30; Fri 11:00-15:00; Fri 16:30-21:30; Sat 10:00-15:00; Sat 16:30-21:30; Sun 10:00-15:00; Sun 16:30-20:30
Big Jones in Chicago is Paul Fehribach's Andersonville Southern kitchen on Clark Street, with shrimp-and-grits and buttermilk biscuits that anchor the brunch.
Signature: Buttermilk biscuit, Shrimp and grits, Fried chicken
Order: Buttermilk biscuit with sorghum butter, plus the shrimp and grits.
Tip: Sunday brunch tables go on the books two weeks out. The bar takes walk-ups if you arrive at 11:00.
Italian$$$west-loopTue-Thu 11:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:00-22:30; Sun-Mon closed
Monteverde in Chicago is Sarah Grueneberg's Italian dining room on Madison Street in the West Loop, a pasta-led menu with all the dough rolled in the open.
Signature: Cacio whey pepe, Handmade tortelloni
Order: The cacio whey pepe; the kitchen ferments its own pecorino whey for the sauce.
Tip: Sit at the pasta-counter seats if they're on offer. The kitchen rolls dough at eye level.
Modern American$$$lincoln-parkMon-Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 16:00-21:00
Boka in Chicago is Lee Wolen's Michelin-starred dining room beside Alinea on Halsted, with a quiet garden courtyard and a roast-chicken-for-two worth.
Signature: Roasted chicken for two, Garganelli pasta
Order: The roasted chicken for two, brined two days; it leaves the kitchen carved.
Tip: Book the garden room in summer. It is one of the prettiest outdoor dining rooms in the city.
New American$$$west-loopSun-Thu 16:30-22:00; Fri-Sat 16:30-23:00; Sun 10:00-14:00
Girl & the Goat in Chicago is Stephanie Izard's Randolph Street wood-fire kitchen since 2010, with the pig face plate that came back when Bravo's Top Chef.
Signature: Wood-fire pig face, Green beans with cashews
Order: The wood-fire pig face; the green beans with cashews and fish sauce vinaigrette.
Tip: If the dining room is fully booked, walk up to the bar at 17:00 for the same menu and no wait most weeknights.
Steakhouse$$$$river-northSun 15:00-22:30; Mon-Thu 16:00-22:30; Fri-Sat 15:00-23:00
Bavette's Bar & Boeuf in Chicago is the dimly-lit River North steakhouse on Kinzie, French bistro paintings overhead, with a bone-in ribeye that anchors.
Signature: Bone-in ribeye, Hash browns
Order: The bone-in ribeye with hash browns; the lobster gnocchi for non-beef eaters.
Tip: Book at 21:00 on a weeknight if you want the back booths. The earlier seating is mostly business dinners.
New American$$$$gold-coastDaily 11:00-00:00
Gibsons in Chicago is the Rush Street steakhouse since 1989 with its own USDA Prime stamp, packed nightly with politicians, athletes and conference traffic.
Signature: W.R.'s Chicago Cut, Twin lobster tails
Order: The Chicago Cut, a 22-ounce bone-in ribeye. The au jus is on by default.
Tip: The cake slices are large enough for four. Order one for the table and ask for four forks.