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One of Chicago’s top gourmet eateries, and one of the nation’s best, Charlie Trotter’s serves the exquisite and rarefied fare of its eponymous chef. The menu changes daily but expect creations such as venison loin with semolina cake, braised kale, and Niçoise olive boudin . Reservations must be made many weeks in advance though a last-minute call often turns up a table due to cancellations.

With its Art Nouveau detailing, cozy leather banquettes, and dark woods, Ambria is among the city’s most romantic dining options. And the dining experience matches the style here as chef Gabino Soltelino prepares contemporary French meals with a sophisticated understatement. Service is formal and the sommelier is one of the best in Chicago.

Boisterous and convivial, Gibson’s exudes a good time. A regular crowd of politicians, sports figures, and conventioneers packs the place nightly. The steak-house fare is in every way a match to the atmosphere – big and bold. Huge lobster tails vie for attention with large slabs of beef. A reservation is critical, but for a more casual, walk-in experience try the burgers next door at Hugo’s Frog Bar.

Foodies and the fashion set both agree on Blackbird, an eatery that sports minimalist decor and shoves the tables so close together that eavesdropping becomes part of the experience. Chef Paul Kahan generates the buzz, preparing sophisticated American dishes with French leanings. Menus change seasonally but reservations are perennially a must.

Hidden from the road in leafy Lincoln Park, North Pond is a treasure – once you find it. Lodged in an Arts-and-Crafts-style building, the café offers a seasonal menu with an emphasis on produce sourced in the Midwest. Though dinner is the star, lunches of sandwiches, soups, and salads are equally creative and well presented (see North Pond).

Spring brings the sort of fine cooking you’d expect only to find downtown out to Northside’s bohemian Wicker Park. Occupying a former bathhouse, the sunken feng-shui-inspired interior makes for a chic gourmet experience. The menu features seafood prepared with Asian flair and a light approach.

The hearty, rustic fare of Rome and its surrounding regions distinguishes Mia Francesca from the Italian pack. Large portions and reasonable prices help draws legions of fans to this Wrigleyville rave. A former candy shop, the storefront eatery is casual but stylish with paper-topped tables and black-and-white photos of rural life on the walls. Lines form early and often.

Signature restaurant of chef Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill is credited with bringing authentic regional Mexican food – rather than Tex-Mex taco fare – stateside. Chili-roasted salsas and rich moles accompany grilled meats and delicious seafood. Since reservations are only available for parties of more than six, seats in the colorful, folk art-filled room go early as smaller groups try to avoid disappointment.

Uno’s has been baking deep-dish pizza since 1943 – about as long as Chicagoans have debated whose pie is best. Its version comes several inches deep, filled with cheese and toppings of your choice, truly a meal in one slice. The smallish Victorian brownstone strains under demand, sending the overflow down the street to its spin-off Pizzeria Due. Uno’s individual pizza served at lunch-time is a bargain.

A classic diner in the Loop where the waitresses call you “Honey” and the coffee is bottomless, Lou Mitchell’s has been around since 1923. Its trek-worthy meal is breakfast, highlighted by double-yolk eggs and homemade hash browns served in a skillet. Tables turn quickly and the staff doles out free donuts and candy to those waiting on line with good cheer.