Tucked inside the Dana Hotel in Chicago's River North district, Aja specializes in steak and modern Asian food. Chef Joshua Linton uses fresh ingredients and sustainable seafood to create dishes that, like the restaurant's decor, are sleek and stunning in flavor and presentation. Aja's Garden Mary, served sharp and peppery in a tall glass, tops the traditional drink with extra veggies. Curious but wary about sushi? Aja is the place to take the leap: It's terrific and some of the prettiest in town. The unagi ($8), freshwater eels and cucumber, is wonderfully fresh and clean on the palate. Follow either of these with one of Aja's famous steaks. If you're at Aja for brunch, watch for the XXXL pancakes ($12). At 16 inches and served with dollops of whipped cream the size of your fist, they've got a lot of shock value. Also on the brunch menu is a winning triumvirate of steak, eggs and potatoes.