Alinea

1723 North Halsted Chicago Illinois 312-867-0110

There are two seatings, 5:30-6 and 8:45, but flipping through the book, the reservationist finds a surprisingly available table. “I can give you one at 7:30 six weeks from today! And one at 8:45 a week later.” Grant Achatz’s jazz-like fusions of flavors (monkfish with banana, onion and lime, caramel with meyer lemon and cinnamon) were an instant hit with adventurous diners, who’ve packed his Lincoln Park restaurant since it opened in 2005; he also won the James Beard Foundation award this year as Best Chef in the Great Lakes region, adding to the demand for seats.

For more information: Alinea