5-Neighborhoods to Feast Upon Chicago's Best Restaurants

While Chicago's restaurant industry does not compare to the Big Apple, a bevy of eateries are well worth the experience. From Grant Achatz, Rick Bayless to Charlie Trotter, the best places to dine in Chicago are not limited to the five-diamond restaurant.

Iconic establishments play a role in Chicago history and have established a track record for executing great food and on the mark service. For those visiting Chicago, five neighborhoods feature a smorgasbord of culinary options to feast upon.

Gold Coast

Starting in the epic center of Chicago's Gold Coast, overlapping the Magnificent Mile, the most affluent neighborhood boasts a medley of iconic dining destinations.

On the corner of Oak Street and Michigan Avenue, Spiaggia is a showcase of exceptional views of Lake Michigan, faultless preparations of fine Italian cuisine by chef Tony Mantuano. Heading west on Oak Street, Gibson's Steakhouse is known for its mammoth - sized martinis (10-oz.), celebrity sightings and prime cuts of steak.

For those who are not in the mood for a Flintstone-proportioned slab of prime beef, have a cocktail and let the people gawking begin. Once the appetite kicks in consider the options. Next door, Gibson's younger sibling Hugo's Frog Bar presents the catch of the day and many affordably priced options. Across the street, step into the surreal but an exotic orb named Trader Vic's. This Chicago classic restaurant serves up Polynesian favorites.

Spiaggia | Italian | 980 North Michigan Avenue | Chicago, IL 60611 | 312.280.2750

Gibson's Steak House | Gold Coast | 1028. North Rush | Chicago, IL 60611 | 312.266.8999

Hugo's Frog Bar | Seafood | Gold Coast | 1024 N. Rush | Chicago, IL 60611 | 312.640.0999

Trader Vics | Polynesian | Gold Coast | 1030 North State Street |Chicago, IL 60611 | 312.642.6500

River North

Heading south toward River North, the John Beard Foundation nominee restaurateur of 2010, Richard Melman runs a coterie of restaurants, bearing distinctive brands. Whether it's a date, the family dinner or any other group Wildfire's menu presents options for every appetite. The same is true of its much younger, ubër-industrial brother, named Hub 51. Parents earn points with teenagers and young adults for this dining selection. Sushi, burgers, tacos and other aptly dubbed aliases comprise the menu.

Time and reservations pending, Mr. Bayless' chain of Aztecan and Mayan inspired restaurants start at the south east corner of Clark and Illinois Street to the middle of the block, in the following order: Xoco, Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. Out of the trio, Xoco is the only one, where reservations are not accepted, but adequate planning is necessary to account for either an abbreviated or enduring wait.

Wildfire | American | River North | 159 W. Erie Street |Chicago, IL 60654 | 312.787.9000

Hub 51| American | River North | 51 W. Hubbard Street |Chicago, IL 60654 | 312.828.0051

Topolobampo | Mayan / Mexican |445 North Clark Street,| Chicago, IL 60654| 312.661.1434

Little Italy

Venture south of the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast, River North and downtown and-- find a quaint community, Little Italy. Back in the 1950s, predominantly Italian immigrants occupied the neighborhood. Today, University of Illinois students, physicians and professionals reside among the original inhabitants. On Taylor Street, there are more than three-dozen dining alternatives-all of which are not limited to Italian cuisine. But, as far as the best Chicago restaurant for Italian cuisine, Rosal's and Francesca's on Taylor top the list for preparations reminiscent of the old country.

Rosal's | Italian| Taylor Street|1154 W. Taylor St.| Chicago, IL 60607 | 312.243.2357

Francesca | Italian | 1400 West Taylor | Chicago, IL 60607 | 312.829.2828

West Loop

Approximately three blocks west of Harpo Studios, another Chicago acclaimed restaurateur's eateries are kitty-corner from each other. Marche and Redlight are the distinctive prototypes of Jerry Kleiner and Howard Davis, founder of KDK Restaurants.

On the northeast corner of Randolph, Redlight clad in a statuesque, crimson glass-shaped flame, beckons a call for Asian cuisine with a transfixing twist on traditional dishes. Then, on the south side of the street stands Marché, a French bistro bedecked in ostentatious, elaborate textiles and furnishings.

Marche | French | 833 W. Randolph Street | Chicago, Il 60607 | 312.226.8399

Redlight | 820 W. Randolph | Chicago, IL 60607| 312.733.8880

Lincoln Park

Back on the north side of Chicago, in Lincoln Park, hundreds of restaurants compete for the popular vote. Aside from Alinea and Charlie Trotters, which are in classes all by themselves - North Pond, the only eatery nestled at the crown of Lincoln Park, achieves best Chicago restaurants vote. Between the views, service and the fact that the chef is a Beard Foundation nominee for 2010, North Pond is an epicurean expedition.

Unlike New York, where foodies have a slew of "celebrity" chefs, travelers find Chicago's assemblage of iconic restaurants, renowned chefs, and longstanding names in the industry equivocal in taste.

Alinea | | 1723 North Halsted | Chicago Illinois 60614 | 312-867-0110

Charlie Trotter | 816 West Armitage Avenue | Chicago, IL 60614| 773.248.6228

North Pond | Contemporary American | 2610 N. Cannon Drive | Chicago, IL | 773.477.5845

(Additional restaurant details are available at Chicago Best Restaurants.info)