Chicago's Best Anniversary Restaurant 2008

Warm, inviting and trendy, this Italian restaurant draws a hipster crowd to the growing South Loop.

Reviews:

• “Didn’t live up to its hype”
• “We eat here often, always have a good experience”
• “Quite nice… service was good”
• “Hipster Italian”
• “Romantic”

Tips: Going to a play? Show the parking valet your ticket and get free parking, plus a free chef’s choice appetizer. The offer is valid 5:30pm-7:30pm nightly; be sure to mention the offer when you make your reservation.

Gioco

Tru chef Rick Tramonto cooks up an upscale-rustic Italian food fantasy in the north suburbs.

Reviews:

• “New Waitress was more than a little slow”
• “Very Good”
• “very high noise level”
• “Great food, great service, free valet parking”
• “Very Average for this price”

Tips: The free parking lot is inconvenient to the entrance; consider ponying up for the $4 valet.

Osteria di Tramonto

Contemporary Italian specialties in a rustic setting attract theatergoers and Loop workers.

Reviews:

• “would not go back”
• “Amazing atmosphere”
• “Fantastic Food; Shady Service?”
• “Delicioso!”
• “Great date night”

Tips: Weekdays from 5pm till 8pm, dig into an all-you-can-eat bar buffet with shrimp, carved beef tenderloin, pasta and more for just $12, with a $6 drink minimum.

Trattoria No. 10

Chicagoland’s Italian institution adds another rose to its empire with this Loop steakhouse prime for fine dining.

Reviews:

• “Above and beyond all expectations!”
• “Melt in your mouth”
• “Amazing food, nice dining area, service needs help”

Tips: For an additional $2.50, steaks and chops can sport alforno, peppercorn, gorgonzola, Cajun or garlic toppings.

Rosebud Prime

Celeb chef couple dazzles diners with sublimely simple New American cuisine at this River North hot spot.

Reviews:

• “Fabulous! Fabulous! Fabulous!”
• “Best New Restaurant in Chicago”
• “Aigre Don’t”
• “Midwest Wannabe”
• “Great Food and Service”

Tips: Sommelier Meredith Elliot supervises a smart, mid-priced wine list; of the pricey glass pours, check out the unusual Lebanese Massaya Classic Red.

Aigre Doux Restaurant & Bakery or email Aigre Doux Restaurant & Bakery

Fine French cuisine, 40 floors up.

Reviews:

• “Very Dissapointing”
• “disrespected and overcharged”
• “Avoid wine pairing”
• “Good Food + Bad Service = Big Disappointment”
• “A nice evening”

Tips: Ask for a table near the windows (the view of the city is lovely); just keep in mind that management can’t guarantee you’ll get one.

Everest

Breathtaking cuisine and impeccable service star at this stylish, pricey dining mecca.

Reviews:

• “Good food; stiff atmosphere”
• “expensive, disappointing food without flavor”
• “The Emperor’s New Restaurant?”
• “Over priced and under food restaurant”
• “Run, don’t walk, to Tru for special occasions or when you don’t mind paying to be pampered and tastefully thrilled”

Tips: Choose from a three-course prix-fixe menu ($80), six-course vegetable ($90) or seven-course grand ($100) collection, plus an eight-course Chef Tramonto’s Collection ($135).

Tru

A River North crowd eats, drinks and merengues the night away at this sexy Latin restaurant.

Reviews:

• “RIP-OFF… AVOID THIS PLACE !!”
• “Haven’t had good food in a while, until N27”
• “Viva Nacional27”
• “Amazing Experience – Highly Recommended”
• “Fabulous food and drinks!!”

Tips: Friday-Saturday at 11pm, tables come out and the DJ goes on, spinning Latin tunes until 2am (Saturday till 3am).

Nacional 27

The whole world is watching as supernova chef Grant Achatz ups the ante on avant garde culinary cunning.

Reviews:

• “The emperor’s new clothes….”
• “Best in the World”
• “What a wonderful experience!”
• “Memorable and Fabulous”
• “One of the best”

Tips: Jackets are recommended for gentlemen.

Alinea

Simply put, one of the world’s finest restaurants.

Reviews:

• “Dream Come True”
• “Hospitality at it’s best!”
• “Arrogance Redefined”
• “Overpriced and underwhelmed”
• “Worst Dining Experience EVER”

Tips: Twice weekly during the school year, Trotter hosts public school students for a free meal. Charlie’s one requirement? Each student must ask two questions before leaving.

Charlie Trotter’s

This favorite of business folk mixes an earthy Tuscan soul with urban elegance.

Reviews:

• “extremely attentive”
• “Delightfully delicious”
• “Existing on old reputation, current offerings don’t live up to old standards, avoid disappointment go elsewhere”
• “Good food and nice atmosphere”
• “Ups and Downs”

Tips: For more casual Tuscan dining, try Coco Pazzo Cafe, just off the Mag Mile.

Coco Pazzo or email Coco Pazzo