Alinea Restaurant

Alinea chef/owner Grant Achatz is a culinary wunderkind and is pushing the envelope with food ingredients and presentation -- think truffle-juice ravioli with melted leek and bison with multiple preparations of Iranian pistachios. Chef Achatz's 24-course tasting menu (which takes 5 hours to complete) has quickly become legendary.1723 N. Halsted, Chicago312-867-0110 (reservations required)Alinea is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Alinea website

American Contemporary$$$$