Chicago » Restaurants » AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)

• Alinea 
•   Lincoln Park  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$$ 

Prix fixe home of Grant Achatz, one of the world's most innovative molecular gastronomists.

• Bin 36 
•   North Side  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$ 

Winebar/restaurant's expansive space is matched by its wine list and menu.

• Blackbird 
•   West Loop  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU), FRENCH
•  $$$ 

High-end dining in a foodie-friendly atmosphere that revolves around the award-winning cuisine, not the fancy decor.

• Bluebird 
•   Bucktown/Wicker Park  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU), BISTRO
•  $$$ 

Comforting gastropub atmo but the feeling fades when the bill arrives.

• BOKA 
•   Lincoln Park  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$ 

Top-flight seafood dishes (especially the halibut) abound in this newly revamped theatre district fave.

• Charlie Trotter's 
•   North Side  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$$ 

One of the best-known restaurants in Chicago, and the country. Don't bother stopping in unless you made reservations two months ago.

• Custom House 
•   South Loop  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$ 

This is the house a James Beard-winning chef built.

• Earwax 
•   Bucktown/Wicker Park  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $ 

Old Wicker Park coffeeshop favorite has lost its luster. Good video rentals though.

• Feast 
•   Bucktown/Wicker Park  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$ 

Come for brunch but clear out before someone ropes you into shopping for maternity clothes on Damen Ave.

• MK 
•   North Side  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$$ 

Fine dining with simple dishes with names like "Salad" and "Lobster." No kidding.

• North Pond 
•   Lincoln Park  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$$ 

Arts and Crafts-style restaurant tucked away in Lincoln Park. Great views and artisanal food.

• Otom 
•   West Loop  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$ 

They're taking it down a few notches in style—but not substance—at Homaro Cantu's second venture that's Moto spelled backwards.

• Schwa 
•   Bucktown/Wicker Park  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU), ECLECTIC & GLOBAL
•  $$$ 

Like a great club with no signage, Schwa's crappy storefront is just a rube-throwing trick that disguises a top-shelf dining experience.

• Sepia 
•   West Loop  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$ 

Who says all of Randolph Street's hottest restaurants are on the "row?"

• Sixteen 
•   River North  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$ 

Unlike its owner Donald Trump, this much-hyped (and up high) restaurant has taste.

• Spring 
•   Bucktown/Wicker Park  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU), ASIAN, SEAFOOD
•  $$$ 

James Beard Best Chef Midwest winner creates little miracles out of scallops, potatoes and black truffle oil.

• The Gage 
•   The Loop  
• AMERICAN (NOUVEAU)
•  $$$ 

It may not have the coolest people inside, but its prime location across the street from Millennium Park makes it a spot worth checking out.