For those who want to plan ahead for a night in the Loop, Blackbird, Avec's sister restaurant next door, is just as awesome and takes reservations, whereas Avec does not. The menu is contemporary American as opposed to Mediterranean, but the quality and experience is equal to Avec, IMHO.

Plus, Blackbird holds a special place in my heart for being the place that introduced me to Picolo cheese by Andante Dairy, by far the best and most balanced cheese I've had in all my cheese course experiences!