1143 N. Wells St., Near North
With a focus on "natural food" without preservatives, the menu is filled with globally-influenced comfort dishes like crepes, French onion soup and tuna melts made with fresh ingredients.READ MORE
1745 N. Harlem Avenue, Galewood
Opened in 1952, this bakery has a dedicated local following. READ MORE
11 E. Walton St., Gold Coast
This casual breakfast, lunch and dinner spot on the third floor of the Waldorf Astoria hotel sports an antique European look, with a marble-topped bar, antique mirrors and etched glass. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the hotel's courtyard. The space is comfortable, but not without fashionable flair the name's a nod to Coco Chanel's friend Etienne Balsan, who financed her first hat shop. The menu centers on artisanal comfort food, featuring contemporary preparations of favorites such as mussels and a gourmet burger. Specialties include house-made charcuterie and creative offal dishes such as veal heart with pears, mustard, parmesan and herbs. A wood-burning oven turns out everything from whole wood-fired chicken for two to tartes flambees, while a raw bar focuses on oysters. Local pastry chef Stephanie Prida consulted on desserts. Got some cash to blow? Try Ria, the Waldorf Astoria's upscale dining destination. READ MORE
833 W. Randolph St., West Town
The team behind Old Town Social -- including executive chef Jared Van Camp -- have opened this eatery in the former March location. Taking its name and style cue from the French Riviera mansion where the Rolling Stones recorded "Exile on Main Street" in 1971, the sprawling space is designed with a bohemian chic vibe in mind. Get specialty cocktails mixed in the kitchen; European-inspired cuisine includes French, Spanish and Italian influences with a focus on fresh ingredients. Roughly a half-dozen types of pasta are made using flour milled on-site from local farmers' grains. The West Loop eatery also offers seafood and Neapolitan-style pizzas prepared in a wood oven, all at an affordable price: Entrees will all ring in less than $15. READ MORE
546 N. Wells St., River North
This restaurant and bar reopened after a remodel emphasising farm-to-table French fare. For a steady supply of vegetables, the chef/owner Didier Durand actually bought a small Indiana farm much like the one he grew up on in Bergerac in southwest France. The interior has been completely remodeled, with a rustic edge and 125-year old barn wood. On the menu is farm-fresh French fare (try saying that three times fast) with a little of what Durand calls "drama" -- think smoked bacon popcorn or beef bourguignon tacos. Look for small snacks, appetizers, sandwiches, salads, entrees and desserts. An extensive wine list features French and New World vintages, and there's a wine bar downstars for those looking for a pre- or post-dinner drink. READ MORE
2656 W. Lawrence Ave., Lincoln Square
This Lincoln Square BYOB restaurant from former Les Nomades chef Chris Nugent offers two seasonally-inspired tasting menus with refined service in a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere. Named for a plant family with varieties of leaves that resemble the foot of a goose (including beets, swiss chard and quinoa), the name underscores a commitment to high-quality, seasonal ingredients sourced from family farms. On the eight-course menu, you'll find dishes such as roasted quail with spiced beluga lentils, ginger and compressed apple or chestnut soup with pancetta, root vegetables, white alba mushrooms and truffle essence. There's also angus beef from local farms, seared with thyme and rosemary and served alongside heirloom carrots presented in different textures. If you want to splurge and bring a nicer bottle of wine, as all the appropriate stemware and decanters are on hand. READ MORE
840 W. Randolph St., West Town
Brendan Sodikoff (Gilt Bar, Curio) describes this two-story West Loop bar and eatery as a "rustic, rough, Frenchy divey bar." The ground floor feels more like a restaurant, serving up snacks both raw (oysters, crudos, tartares) and cooked (escargots, chicken in a pot). Cocktails here will be simpler -- think drinks served in Mason jars with the ice they're shaken with -- than upstairs in the bar, where more labor-intensive libations are served. Expect an eclectic soundtrack of jazz, pop and punk from years past. READ MORE
2300 N. Lincoln Park West
This charming gem in the Belden-Stratford hotel is the namesake of managing partner/chef Gabino Sotelino. Occupying a warm, wood-trimmed room with a Parisian turn-of-the-century bar and large windows overlooking Lincoln Park, the restaurant's French decor and marble floors complement a host of French classics including raw oysters, mussels in white wine, steak frites and trout grenoblois. In summer the outdoor cafe is a pleasant place to spend an evening. READ MORE
676 N. St. Clair St., Gold Coast
This Gold Coast spot is a temple of haute cuisine. Originally, the chichi restaurant was a partnership between restaurateur Rich Melman and award-winning chefs Rick Tramonto and Gale Gand. Tramonto has since moved on, and these days, Anthony Martin helms the kitchen. From the lounge area, accented by a striking cobalt sculpture of a female torso, to the private dining salons and main dining area, Tru remains a lavish setting for serious dining. The menu is anchored by French-influenced fare (including the eatery's signature caviar staircase, featuring four types of black caviar) and sweetened by spectacular desserts. READ MORE
