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Best Trendy Upscale in Chicago

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Japonais
600 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 822-9600
You know a dining destination is la crème de la crème to score a speed dial in local Chicago-lites iPhones after five years on the scene. Japonais is an uber-trendy French/Asian fusion restaurant boasting the most coveted tables in town. Guests have their pick of prime seating locales in the Jeffrey Beers-designed space: a red-hot upstairs dining room, a hip low-lit downstairs lounge, or a private cabana on the outside patio overlooking the Chicago River. Regardless of seating preference, make sure to start off the night with a floating orchid martini complete with edible garnishes before you move on to the chef’s special maki rolls and “the rock” (thin slices of New York strip cooked tableside on a hot rock presentation). The cleverly named coffee and doughnuts dessert, an insanely delicious combo of green tea semi-fredo with warm chocolate filled beignets, is dessert heaven.
N9NE Steakhouse
440 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 575-9900
Chicago’s little slice of South Beach awaits you at N9NE Steakhouse. The super-sleek dining room welcomes patrons with its stark white interior illuminated by neon purple lights and a stunning circular Champagne bar. Snag a corner booth for prime celeb spotting, as you treat yourself to the five basic food groups: Crispy Rock Shrimp, Kobe Burgers, Ahi Tuna Tartare, Black Cod Miso, and caviar. Don’t forget to order after-dinner drinks upstairs at glitzy Ghostbar, as you continue your night below the shimmering disco lights. Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-2pm; 5:30 -10pm; Fri 11:30am-2 pm; 5pm-midnight; Sat 5pm-midnight
NoMI
800 N. Michigan Ave.Park Hyatt Hotel, 7th Floor Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 239-4030
Located in the ultra-chic Park Hyatt Hotel, NoMI brings hotel dining to the next level with its unparalleled view of Michigan Avenue. Seven floors above street level, the classically elegant dining room offers the perfect oasis for business suits on expense accounts and the women who adore them. Indulge in an exquisite bottle of wine from the impressive 10,000-bottle cellar, and delight your palate with executive chef Christophe David’s contemporary French cuisine and refined desserts. (Tip: in the summer months, the 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio is the place to see and be seen for the socialite set). Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30-10:30am; 11:30-2:30pm; 5:30-10pm; Sat 7am-2:30pm; 5:30-10pm; Sun 11am-2:30pm; 5:30-10pm
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 867-0110
Named “One of the best restaurants in America” by Gourmet Magazine, this unique, upscale restaurant gets Chicago tongues wagging as Chef Gran creates tastes that are full of surprises, bringing sweet and savory together in a very unexpected way. The tasting menus are a commitment to the palate and your time – one includes 12 courses and another, called “the Tour”, is a combination of 20 courses for the diehard foodies. The wine list is equally diverse and easily explained by the very adept wait staff. Hours: Wed-Sun 5:30pm-9:30pm
Sixteen
401 N. Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 588-8000
Located on the 16th floor of the Trump International Hotel & Tower, Sixteen offers panoramic views of Chicago skyline through 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. Australian born Chef Brunacci creates American cuisine made with seasonal ingredients. But don’t get too attached to his creations - the menu changes twice a week. If you are a total foodie (or even a poser trying to get some points on a date), they offer a tasting menu that changes daily and have a sommelier conveniently on hand to assist you with wine pairings. Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30pm-10pm; Sat 5:30pm-10:30pm; Sun 11am-3pm, 5:30pm-10pm
Tru
676 N. St. Clair St Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 202-0001
Sneaky says this is one of Chicago’s finest restaurants. The contemporary French cuisine is served on a spectacular array of non-traditional surfaces produced by local and international artisans. If you really want to blow some crazy cash, TRU offers a private glassed-in dining room in the kitchen that will seat up to six guests. Private parties may also be booked in the Mezzanine dining room with custom menus. Hours of Operation: Mon-Thu 5:30pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm
Le Colonial
937 N. Rush St. Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 255-0088
Located in the heart of Chicago’s upscale Gold Coast neighborhood, Le Colonial transports guests to the seductive era of French colonial Southeast Asia circa 1920. The intimate dining room is replete with lush potted palms, banana trees, and vintage Asian posters, and cozy rattan chairs welcome diners to the sensuous Vietnamese dining experience. In the summer, savvy Oak Street spenders plot their shopping sprees while lunching on the Rush Street patio, and in the winter, couples huddle tightly in the sexy upstairs lounge over Vietnamese house specialties including Chao Tom and grilled shrimp wrapped around sugar cane. Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5-11 pm; Sat 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5 pm-midnight; Sun 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5-10 pm
DeLaCosta
465 E. Illinois St. River East Art Center Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 464-1700
Celebrity chef Douglas Rodriguez wows guests with his upscale Latino cuisine in a splashy Suhail-designed supper club in the River East Art Center. Overlooking the Chicago River, the expansive dining room features elevated showpiece tables, marble and glass ceviche bars, and a solarium with private cabanas. Rodriguez treats diners to “inspired coastal Latin cuisine,” including a myriad of fresh ceviches, and the attractive bartending staff does not disappoint with the unique drink concoctions: six varieties of sangria and the chef’s signature “poptails.” Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30 pm; 5-10pm; Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-11pm; Sat 5-11pm; Sun 5-10pm
Sepia
123 Jefferson St Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 441-1920
From the custom tile art nouveau floor to the handcrafted millwork to the vintage stemware, this hybrid of rustic elegance with a modern twist serves some of Chicago’s finest American cuisine. Some of Chef Kendal Duque’s impressive culinary creations include; Applewood Smoked Bacon Flatbread with pears and Berkshire Blue Cheese, Spiced Almond Soup and Skate Wing with salsify and raisin caper sauce. Made with local, organic ingredients, this warm restaurant exudes charm. Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm, 5:15pm-10pm; Sat 5:15pm-10:30pm; Sun 10:30am-2pm, 5:15pm-10pm
avec
615 W. Randolph St. Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 377-2002
Located in the trendsetting restaurant territory of Randolph Street, avec is a clean, modern approach to dining for the hip, late-night crowd. Opened by Blackbird alum’s Donnie Madia and Paul Kahan, avec focuses on small and large sharing plates of rustic peasant foods. The sharing theme continues in the ultra-modern, narrow dining room that features a stainless steel bar and clusters of cedar communal tables. Rub elbows with neighboring diners, and swap recommendations on house favorites like Chorizo-stuffed Dates, Focaccia with Taleggio cheese, and Oven-roasted Pork Shoulder. The sharing and pairing theme even translates to the mini carafes of wines served which are ideal for groups. (Tip: avec doesn’t take reservations, so show up early or be prepared to wait). Hours: Mon-Thu 3:30pm-midnight; Fri-Sat 3:30pm-1am; Sun 3:30 -10 pm
Blackbird
619 W Randolph St Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 715-0708
The ultimate compliment to a chef is endorsement by fellow acclaimed chefs. Blackbird is THE number one restaurant recommended by chefs in Chicago. Chef Paul Kahan’s seasonal New American menu is extreme and full of market fresh ingredients. His innovative menu includes specialties like: Crispy Veal Sweetbreads with pickled golden turnip, green apple, candied coriander and goat's milk caramel or Venison with bacon caramel and smoked grapes? And how can one not at least try a dessert from this radical menu? How about Sweet Pea Sponge with licorice-mascarpone, bacon and carrot sorbet? Get prepared for a true culinary journey. Hours: Mon-Thu 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-10:30pm; Fri 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-11:30pm; Sat 5:30pm-11:30pm
L2O
2300 N Lincoln Park West Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 868-0002
Entrepreneur Rich Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises lured famed French Chef Laurent Gras to the Windy City with one goal in mind - to open his interpretation of a modern seafood restaurant, bringing originality, from the cuisine to the presentation. Hours: Mon, Wed-Thu 6pm-10pm; Fri-Sat 5pm-11pm; Sun 5pm-9pm can count on, purity and imagination!
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