Tre Dita is the first Chicago restaurant from the much-hyped chef behind Felix, Mother Wolf, and Funke, three LA spots that are impossible to get into. It's on the second floor of the St. Regis Hotel in Lakeshore East and has a gorgeous view of the river, art deco archways, and more people in well-pressed suits than a James Bond casting call. But aside from Tre Dita’s “glam factor,” the Italian food is excellent.

La Serre in Fulton Market has a distinct charm. It’s relaxed and chic (with a single monstrous bouquet in the center of the dining room), buzzy but never too loud, and the French-Mediterranean menu is thoughtful despite the presence of big mirrors that say corny things like “Merci Beaucoup.” Dishes like creamy angel hair pasta pair perfectly with 15g of caviar on top, warranting the $55 price. But there are more-than-satisfying takes on other less-pricey classics, too.

Brasero seems to specialize in throwing a party every night. This Latin American spot in West Town is great for upbeat get-togethers of all sizes, with a mix of shareable dishes like fried quail and grilled half lobster, and catchy Bossa nova music that practically begs you to show up with the best gossip to match the secluded space and good-times vibe. But Brasero’s food is equally fun, with nearly everything nailing a balance between sweet and spicy.

The towering chicharron from Cariño’s Latin-inspired 11-course tasting menu makes you gaze in wonder, like you’re reenacting the first scene of 2001: A Space Odyssey—or Barbie. It comes with a side of smoky esquites, and tells you everything you need to know about this spot: you’re in for a playful, fun-to-eat meal. Other courses follow suit, like Huitlacoche ravioli that builds a world of corn on a plate or Tajin-topped oysters with a Modelo foam that channels the spicy flavors of a michelada.

Behind the big windows in a building that reads more “art gallery” than “failed startup headquarters” is a fantastic place with dishes that are hard to classify. A puff of gnocco fritto comes with prosciutto dressed with black currant-pepper jam. Thick, pita-like scallion pancakes pair beautifully with french onion dip. A Japanese sweet potato that could be mistaken for crème brûlée in a nutty Thai curry. Do we know what to call this cuisine? No. Do we know we’re excited to go back? Absolutely.

Bonyeon's $255, 13-course, two-hour, wagyu-centric tasting menu (enough hyphens for you?) sounds like a lot—and it is. But if you need a spot to celebrate an occasion with someone who enthusiastically swallows animal parts, this West Loop Korean beef omakase is a perfect fine dining option. The luxury here is in the details: gold chopsticks greet you at the glossy, 12-seat countertop and palate cleansers like yuzu scallops and refreshing patbingsu keep the meal from feeling like a meat overload

Tesfa was already one of the city’s best Ethiopian restaurants. But after their move from Uptown to Edgewater, it turns out the best can get even better. Tesfa’s new space is decked out with white brick, sparkly chandeliers, and a wooden bar—some major upgrades from the old location’s plain red walls and dropped ceiling. Most importantly, the incredible food has stuck around: zesty tomato sauce, spicy fish filets, and doro wot.

Armed with a tight menu of only four bowls, this Logan Square spot from Reddit-famous chef, Ramen_Lord, is poised for ramen supremacy. Both the busy space and ramen have an elegant simplicity, and each bowl makes us glad that conspiracy theories aren’t the only products of the Redditverse. Rich miso and savory shoyu broths complement pork chashu, wok-fried bean sprouts, and housemade noodles that carry the broths up with each slurp like a gluten-based ski lift.

Though we were sad to see Wherewithall in Avondale close, we’re thrilled the Parachute team opened Anelya in its place. The Ukrainian food and fun space charmed us so much that we had separation anxiety before we finished dessert. With dishes like rich potato and pork jowl varenyky, or kovbasa with apricot and blueberry sauerkraut, you’ll want to have a polyamorous relationship with the entire menu.

After being a pop-up for years, we were elated when Wazwan finally made Wicker Park its “forever home” in 2021. Then they closed to rebrand as Lilac Tiger. Was “forever” a lie? Short answer yes, but there’s no need to panic—Lilac Tiger is actually Wazwan: The Deluxe Edition. It’s still dark, narrow, and busy, but has more seats and a liquor license. Crispy duck fried rice and Korean curry poutine are tasty new dishes, while classics from the old menu remain.