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Right off Clark St. in Chicago, M. Henry is a great brunch choice and is very child-friendly. Most of their dishes are vegetarian but popular non-vegetarian meals, such as their candied apple wood bacon, are also served. The servers are very friendly and are happy to make suggestions off the menu. The restaurant is cozy and uses vintage doors and windows to divide the rooms. Their selection of coffees and hot chocolate are all made with gourmet ingredients. Try their hot chocolate with Belgian chocolate and homemade marshmallows. Omelets can be made any way you’d like and include only the freshest ingredients. If you have a sweet tooth be sure to order the Dulce Banana Rumba French toast or the breakfast bread pudding.


The best food in a baseball town is hot dogs, and the best hot dogs in Chicago are at Hot Dougs. Give yourself plenty of time because the line is always out the door. There are 20 different hot dog creations to choose from when you get up to the counter. Be sure to go on Friday or Saturday when they serve their famous fries in duck fat. Doug works behind the counter making sure each gourmet hot dog is just the way you want it. They close at 4 pm so be sure to get in line early. Hot dogs range from traditional to gourmet such as their Spicy Smoked Alligator Sausage with Cajun Remoulade and blue cheese. Tip: They only take cash and the restaurant closes for two weeks during the year because Doug takes vacation, so check their Web site for closing dates.

For a romantic dinner make reservations at Alinea Restaurant LLC. There are two types of menus, the 12-course and 24-course tasting. It will take a few hours to get through all the courses and wine pairings but the gourmet food is prepared in creative and unusual ways. The Caprese consists of a dry ice tomato in the shape of a cube with basil sorbet and mozzarella in foam form. The staff is happy to suggest the wine pairings and explain any of the food that is presented that may look a bit creatively altered. The menu encourages you to use all your senses when eating. The restaurant itself is very minimalist and aims at the food presentations as its works of art.

Bistro Campagne is a great French restaurant with wonderful outdoor seating. Right in Lincoln Square the bistro is very cozy and a good place to have some wine and cheese before a night out on the town. If you’re traveling to Chicago in the winter and want to keep warm ask to sit in the heated tent with the fireplace. This is the perfect place for a romantic evening or even a first date. There is also a musician who travels from table-to-table and the servers are friendly and eager to please.

For the sushi lover make reservations at Kaze Sushi for an interesting take on sushi and soups. Try their sweet potato soup, the nigiri and for dessert order the black sesame and green tea flan. They even serve bison salad and seared bison as an appetizer. The atmosphere is very welcoming and romantic. The lights are all dimmed and white sheets flow in the breeze that comes in from their outdoor patio. Chicago hotel will also offer you some good cuisine, like Wave, a wonderful hotel restaurant, or the well known Grill on the Alley.