Cooking and cocktails compete, amicably, at this sophisticated, stylish destination matching elixirs mixed by head bartender Julia Momose (formerly of the Aviary) and the food of Chicago native Aaron Lirette, in collaboration with Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group.

Website: greenriverchi.com
Number of seats: 100, plus 90 outside
Average per-person check: $45
 

From roots as a low-key beer bar in the neighborhood of Printer’s Row grew this emporium for high-minded brew and food to be paired and appreciated as figurative partners in crime.

Website: villainschicago.com
Number of seats: 119
Average per-person check: $32
 

After garnering a Michelin star at Senza, chef Noah Sandoval switched it up for this intimate, new-American jewel with elegant environs down an alley-like street in the West Loop.

Website: oriolechicago.com
Number of seats: 28
Average per-person check: $200
 

Cocktails from left to right: Firefox, Gangster's Paradise, Easy Eddie, Cullerton Street

Popular dishes: Smoked whitefish tartine with celery, radishes and egg on toast; saffron spaghetti with uni, clams, shishito pepper and saffron; Lincoln Park cocktail: Glenlivet 12, Laphroaig 10, Cappelletti Aperitivo, jasmine, Coco Lopez and pineapple.
What people come for: Skyline and lake views from location on the 18th floor
Address: 259 E. Erie St., 18th floor
Phone number: 312-337-0101

Pictured above, beef tartare

The restaurant's grilled half chicken

Focused on local sourcing, Packed's tag line is “Keep your friends close and your farmers closer.”

The humble dumpling comes in for creative reinvention in this fast-casual concept in Hyde Park helmed by chef Mike Sheerin, whose kitchen credits include stints at New York landmarks Lutèce, Jean Georges and WD-50. 

Website: packeddumplings.com
Number of seats: 42
Average per-person check: $15
 

Popular dishes: Villains burger with North Country bacon, Hooks four-year-aged Cheddar, bread-and-butter pickles, smoked red onion, beef fat mayonnaise and fries; housemade sausage plate with moulouse, kielbasa and chicken sausage, braised cabbage and grain mustard; pan-seared scallops with confit white beans, sofrito, charred lemon vinaigrette and mint.
What people come for: Extensive beer list with 40-plus taps and rarities in bottles
Address: 730 South Clark St.
Phone number: 312-583-0283

Pictured above, seared scallops

An interior view of Oriole's restaurant

Popular dishes: Kristal Shrenki Caviar with Hudson Canyon scallop and egg yolk; Jamón Ibérico de bellota with black walnut, mustard and Campo de Montalban cheese; pineapple sorbet with kaffir lime, coconut and marshmallow.
What people come for: Open kitchen, two beverage-pairing options (one with beer, sake and wine, the other all-wine)
Address: 661 W. Walnut St.
Phone number: 312-877-5339

Pictured above, a lamb dish

Latin American influences are popular at Chicago eateries — and so are wood-fired grills.