Alinea is spectacular, although some sad news about it was reported today.

The other "dedicated" fine dining spots I enjoy:

- Tru
- Arun's (great Thai)
- Spring
- Meritage
- Heat
- North Pond
- Moto

Keep in mind these are all considered "fine dining" and, as a result, they have prices that match. In Chicago, the more "$" signs a restaurant has doesn't necessarily mean it offers better food. There are tons of restaurants at the heels of the top tier spots that serve amazing dishes and offer a more enjoyable experience. Most of these spots are owned by chefs who have trained with the big boys and have broken off to start up their own little empire.

If you want to list the types of cuisines you'd like, as well as other restaurant atmosphere elements you enjoy, perhaps our resident foodies here (myself included) can point you to some very nice, but more "neighborhood" spots with amazing food!