NEW YORK-
Up-and-coming chefs have created a slew of interesting new restaurants in Chicago, and the July issue of Travel + Leisure magazine recommends seven of the best. They are:
–Alinea, 1723 N. Halsted St., Lincoln Park. Dinner for two, around $250. Sweet potato-bourbon tempura on a cinnamon stick is one of many courses you can get in a 12- or 24-course tasting. Be prepared to spend a couple of hours.
–Butter, 130 S. Green St., WSest Loop. Dinner for two, around $92. Entrees on the New American menu resemble miniature works of art.
–Carnivale, 702 W. Fulton Market, West Loop. Dinner for two, around $78. This 400-seat restaurant celebrates the food, drink and music of Latin America.
–Custom House, 500 S. Dearborn St., South Loop. Dinner for two, around $107. Steaks are the stars here, along with organic ingredients from small purveyors.
–Quartino, 626 N. State St., River North. Dinner for two, around $57. Old-world Italian food here includes seven types of prosciutto cured on site.
–Schwa, 1466 N. Ashland Ave., Wicker Park. Dinner for two, around $100. BYOB to accompany microgreens, quail-egg ravioli and other unique dishes.
–Vie, 4471 Lawn Ave., Western Springs. Dinner for two, around $100. This eatery 15 miles west of downtown pairs wine with every dessert and delicately flavors its entrees, like sausage empanadas with a yogurt-mint sauce.
