Bluprint
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, (312) 410-9800. www.bluprintchicago.com .Seats: 192.Cuisine: contemporary American.Specialties: heirloom pork chop with sweet potato, peaches and bourbon; halibut with smoked potatoes, olive ratatouille and lemon mascarpone; Amish chicken with pancetta polenta, Swiss chard and violet mustard.Main courses: $21-$27.Chef: Doran Payne.Owner: Blue Plate.
The Gage
24 S. Michigan Ave., (312) 372-4243. www.thegagechicago.com .Seats: 300.Cuisine: American.Specialties: roast saddle of elk with mashed Yukon Gold potatoes and cherry-thyme reduction; stout-battered fish and chips with malt tartar sauce; seared big-eye tuna with crunchy vegetable slaw.Main courses: $18-$38.Chef: Dirk Flanigan.Owners: Billy Lawless Sr. and Billy Lawless Jr.
Room 21
2110 S. Wabash Ave., (312) 328-1198. www.room21chicago.com .Seats: 180.Cuisine: contemporary American.Specialties: roasted chicken with haricots verts and roasted finger-ling potatoes; seared wild salmon with artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes and spinach; glazed pork chop with spaetzle and fennel purée.Main courses: $18-$44.Chef: Fred Ramos.Owners: Jerry Kleiner and Marc Brooks.
Table Fifty-Two
52 W. Elm St., (312) 573-4000.Seats: 35.Cuisine: comfort with Southern accents.Specialties: Art’s buttermilk fried chicken; ancho chile-crusted Berkshire pork chops with Brussels sprouts leaves, pickled cherries and pear salad; Addie Mae’s yellow squash, Vidalia onion and cornbread casserole; Low Country shrimp with stone-ground grits.Main courses: $12-$32.Chef/co-owner: Art Smith.Co-owner: Julie Latsko.
Tavern at the Park
130 E. Randolph St., (312) 552-0070. www.tavernatthepark.com .Seats: 280.Cuisine: American.Specialties: organic salmon with lemon beurre blanc and fried spinach chips; braised beef short ribs in red wine demi-glace; prime rib open-faced sandwich with Swiss cheese, caramelized onions.Main courses: $15-$30.Chef: John Hogan.Owners: Donny, Jimmy and Peter de Castro and Glenn and Rich Keefer.
