Best 15 Restaurants Near the Loop in Downtown Chicago

Chicago is a metropolitan city with a wealth of fine-dining restaurants. The fine restaurants of Chicago have sophisticated atmospheres, exquisite cuisine and make wonderful venues for special occasions, business dinners and romantic evenings. Following are some of the finest restaurants in Chicago:

Avenues Restaurant,Peninsula Hotel. Avenues restaurant features stunning cuisine created by chef Graham Elliot Bowles. Chef Bowles's believes that pristine ingredients should be allowed to taste like themselves. He achieved this by blending creativity, technique and aesthetics. Jackets for gentlemen are recommended. AAA Five Diamond. 1-312-573-6754.

MK, Contemporary American cuisine. Entrees include Whitefish with Poached Maine Lobster, Atlantic Salmon, Peppercorn Crusted Yellow fin Tuna and Hardwood Charcoal Grilled Prime Steak. 68 N. Franklin, Chicago. 1-312-482-9179.

Nomi. Magnificent Mile restaurant with sophisticated ambiance. Main Courses include Four Story Hill Farm Pheasant, Slow Cooked Mero Bass, Turbot a La Grenobloise, Butter Poached Maine Lobster. 800 North Michigan. 1-312-239-4030.

Season's Restaurant,.Four Seasons Hotel. Opulent fine dining situated on the seventh floor with view of the Magnificent Mile.. Seasons Restaurant features American gourmet fare includes Thai Lobster Thermidor, Tasmanian Sea Trout and Rack of Colorado Lamb. AAA Five Diamond Restaurant. 1-312-280-8800.

Tru. Elegant Gold Coast Restaurant serves French cuisine. The menu chances daily, including the three course Prix Fixe menu and the Collections. Dress code: Jackets for gentlemen are required. AAA Five Diamond. 1-312-202-0001.

Everest. Located on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange, Everest features fine French cuisine and an award winning wine list. The menu changes frequently to reflect changing seasons and available ingredients. Chef Joho created three and four course pre-fixed menus and a seven course degustation menu. AAA Five Diamond. 1-312-663-8920.

Les Nomades. Gold Coast restaurant serves contemporary French cuisine. 1-312-649-9010.

The Pump Room. Historic Pump Room has been one of Chicago's top dining establishments since 1938. The gold Coast dining room serves contemporary cuisine along with an excellent wine list. Jeans are not allowed. Reservations are required. 1-312-266-0369.

Shanghai Terrace, The Peninsula Hotel. Shanghai Terrace is noted for Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes. Call 1-312-573-6744.

Spiaggia. Spiaggia serves Italian cuisine. The restaurant has been nominated by the James Beard Foundations for the Outstanding Restaurant Award for the second consecutive year 1-312-280-2750.

Signature Room on the 95th Floor. John Hancock Center. Sweeping views of Chicago from the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building make the tables at the Signature Room some of the best seats in town. The dinner menu features dishes such as Seared Scallops, Roasted Rack of Lamb, Seared Duck Breast, Roasted Amish Chicken, Roasted Berkshire Pork Porterhouse, New York Strip Steak and Roasted Two Lobster Tails. Scrumptious desserts include White and Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake, Molten Chocolate Cake, Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee and Citrus Cheesecake. 1-312-787-9596.

Charlie Trotter's. Elegant American cuisine. Jackets required. AAA Five Diamond. Call 1-773-248-6228.

Cafe Des Architectes, Sofitel Hotel. French cuisine featured on seasonal menus. 20 East Chestnut Street.,

Chicago Chop House, River North Neighborhood. Steakhouse in a restored century old Victorian brownstone. The true Chicago style restaurants serves 64 ox Porterhouse Steak, 16 and 24 oz., New York Strip Steak and 24 oz. Prime Rib. Steaks are all Prime aged and charred. The wine list features 650 vintages from around the world. 60 West Ontario. 1-312-787-7100.

Morton's of Chicago. Steakhouse famed for Prime Steaks, Filet Mignon, Alaskan King Crab Legs, and Australian Lobster Tail. Two downtown locations: 1050 N. State St., 1-312-266-4820; 65 E. Wacker Pl., 1-312-201-0410.

Information subject to change. Contact the restaurants for additional information and to make reservations.