OLD TOWN. Prepare for sensory overload when you reserve a dinner at this hotspot ­ hailed as one of the best restaurants in the nation. Celebrated chef Grant Achatz, a former apprentice to Thomas Keller (of French Laundry fame), steers willing diners through meals comprised of 12 or 24 tastes of culinary nirvana. Many "courses," each consisting of a single, flavorful bite, are presented on serviceware tailored to a particular dish; in-the-know servers instruct you on how to consume each one. Usual textures, temperatures, and tastes of familiar ingredients are redefined and synthesized in dishes like peach with smoked paprika and carrot, or trout roe with cucumber and coconut. Unexpected platings and presentations are part of the sheer delight of eating in this sleek, minimalist space. A sommelier can suggest the perfect pairings for your gustatory explorations. Twelve-course tasting menu, $135; 24-course tour menu, $195.

RIVER NORTH. Suzy Crofton has made a name for herself on Chicago's competitive culinary circuit by offering some of the most delicately flavored dishes in the area. The understated, posh dining room is small and tranquil with pale gray walls, contemporary art, and gilt accents. The real spectacle is the menu, which offers seasonal dishes such as perfect crab cakes with sweet red peppers, Cajun barbecued shrimp atop a mound of sweet potato hay, or barbecue pork loin with Yukon gold mashed potatoes and smoked apple chutney. No trendy items are necessary here; the quiet luxury of the room and the food speak for themselves. Reservations recommended. Business to business casual attire. EL: Brown Line to Merchandise Mart

WICKER PARK. Take a seat in one of Parlor's charming, corduroy-upholstered booths and prepare for a morning treat. Exhibiting the same innovation and flair that characterizes the dinner menu, brunch doesn't disappoint. Fluffy brioche French toast topped with peaches and cream cheese, hot sage and buttermilk biscuits smothered in rich sausage gravy, and sweet malted waffles with tart cherries are a sampling of the sinfully good menu. Savory lunch items like a brioche BLT also make an appearance.

GOLD COAST. The Pump Room is one of this city's legendary restaurants. Dine on fine Limoges china under the sparkle of crystal chandeliers and enjoy the contemporary French cuisine turned out by the Pump Room's award-winning chef. Reservations recommended. Jackets required after 4pm.

LOCKPORT. Located in a meticulously restored Victorian, Tallgrass promises an experience for the senses. The most popular choices are two versions of the fixed price menu, which includes four or five courses. Start with baby mussels in leeks and cream sauce flavored with Brie or rich, smoked salmon gnocchi. Then move seamlessly to grilled veal tenderloin atop creamy mashed potatoes or grilled salmon with corn pudding. The drive may be a bit further than you're used to but, believe me, it's well worth the trip.