Our Favorite Chicago Restaurants

Chicago's restaurants celebrate the city's diverse cultures--and continue to develop and define American cuisine. On this slide and the ones following are some of our favorites.

GETTING BUZZ
Sepia This former printing house in the West Loop serves rustic food with a contemporary twist--plus throwback cocktails such as the Sepia Mule, with ginger-infused vodka, fresh lime juice and ginger beer. Try the flatbread appetizer topped with applewood-smoked bacon, pears and blue cheese (left). (312) 441-1920
Table 52 Chef Art Smith of Oprah fame serves high-end, Southern-influenced sandwiches, pizzas and entrees in an elegant, small Gold Coast dining room. The splurge-worthy food starts with cheese biscuits. Reservations recommended a couple of weeks in advance. (312) 573-4000
Avec You'll make new friends over Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as salumi at long, communal tables in the West Loop. Try the roasted fish and medjool dates. No reservations. (312) 377-2002

Sepia

Table 52

Avec