If it wasn't for the American accents, you wouldn't be blamed for thinking that you were actually in France. The small tables, crisp white tablecloths, and brass, wooden wall hangings make this place very Bistro like. Jacky's serves Southern French cuisine with delectable choices, such as Seasonal Roasted Vegetables 'en Casserole', Herb Crusted Salmon on roasted vegetables and one of the bistro's stars, Jacky's Bouillabaisse. If you're in a rush, pick a soup, salad or sandwich combination from the Petite Lunch selection.

After a hard day's shopping at the Oakbrook Center, saunter in for some TLC. For those who find comfort in food can relish on Beef Tenderloin Lasagna ($15.95), Angel Hair Pasta ($12.95) or Herb Encrusted Salmon Salad ($11.95). The Sunday Brunch ($29.95) offers unlimited wine. The cigar and martini bars have quite a selection. And if you're here just for kicks, there's nothing like mouthfuls of Peach Blueberry Cobbler while watching golf on the television.

Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris, former chefs of the Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton have started this restaurant the Prairie Grass Café serving contemporary American cuisine. The wood top tables with no table cloth complement the contemporary and casual décor. Private and semi private rooms are also available. Start dinner with appetizers, such as Crispy Rolls that come in three varieties--Medium-Rare Ahi Tuna Wrapped in Basil with Soy Dipping Sauce and Tender Braised Lamb with Cucumber, Mint and Yogurt Sauce and progress to the entrees that will cost you less than $20. A variety of choices are available for meat and potato lovers. This place is also a Hamburger haven. There are options for carb-watchers too.

While walking past the famous restaurant row in Wheeling, you'll spot Peter Miller's prime Steak house and seafood joint. Try out the innovative dishes served here. Fresh Seafood Pasta, Chicken Marsala, Blackened Grouper are some of the specialties on offer. While enjoying your food, you can also groove to the Jazz music playing in the background. There are jazz shows during the evening. And of course after all the food, drinks and entertainment, your experience at Pete Miller's wouldn't be complete without a game of pool. The Billiards room also serves as a lounge where you can sit back and enjoy your drink. You'll also find a Pete Miller's at Evanston.

Seafood lovers rejoice. Oceanique as the name suggests celebrates seafood with innovative and imaginative dishes that transcend average cooking styles. Start with scallops in ginger dressing, perfect and succulent. But don't stop there. Bouillabaisse connoisseurs will relish the seafood-laden stew. The pan-seared salmon is moist and flaky, and the ginger-grilled calamari is cooked to perfection. The two or three non-fish specials daily rival their seafood counterparts. Homemade desserts and an excellent wine list complete the meal. Service is friendly and efficient. You will find lots of academic types here. Dress is casual, but wear something a bit more stylish than jeans.

Olive Garden as always serves up authentic Italian cuisine right here at Lansing. The signature bread sticks and one-of-a-kind menu make them an American icon. Standard Italian options like bruchetta, calamari, ravioli, and Eggplant Parmigiana line the extensive menu. More exotic items like salmon, chicken dishes, and innovative pizzas are also available. For the calorie-counter, Olive Garden has a range of low fat and low carbohydrate options. The bottomless salads ensure a well-balanced feast. Enjoy your meal with a bottle from the lengthy wine list or one of their tropical island drinks. Finally, top it all off with a little something from their dessert menu-the cakes, custards, and ice creams are sure to win you over. Lunch and take out menus are available.

Frank and Betsie's is a perfect eatery for Glencoe's upscale Hubbard Woods Shopping Districts, fitting in nicely among the quaint courtyards and Tudor-style buildings along Green Bay Road. Owned and operated by the eponymous Frank and Bestie since 1984, this restaurant maintains a hands-on feel from raw ingredient to final product. Frank scours local markets for the restaurant's produce and Betsie grows their yearly supply of herbs over summer. Constant thought goes into the offerings at Frank and Betsie's, the menus changing daily and facing a total overhaul seasonally. The cuisine here is a perfect mixture of French and Californian influences, pairing exquisite techniques and preparations with fresh ingredients that are allowed to shine through as the centerpiece of each plate. The dessert and deli section is something to behold as well, with each decadent delight made fresh in-house.

L'eiffel Bistrot & Creperie, featuring a tight, controlled menu of French classics, is certainly the most refined restaurant in South Barrington's Arboretum shopping center. If the wrought iron decor, minimalist place settings and warm lighting didn't tip you off, L'Eiffel's predominantly French language menu will cement the bistro-recreation vibe. Appetizers are split into froid and chaud (cold and hot) and feature charcuterie and cheese boards as well as fois gras and escargot. It is worth noting here that L'eiffel gets as much local produce as is possible and creates each dish from scratch. The entrees are a fairly traditional assortment of seafood and beef, while some dishes like the Burger du Frenchie are simply American dishes with a name change. Also atypical of French cuisine, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available and graciously labeled.

It's big, noisy, and crowded, but it remains a Chicago favorite for seafood. This restaurant boasts one of the highest volumes of customers in the country. The crab, not surprisingly, ranks as the specialty, and a fresh catch is flown in daily, always served either grilled or steamed.

The Melting Pot, is a one-stop destination for the ultimate culinary experience. It offers an extraordinary four-course fondue meal which is guaranteed to tempt the strictest dieter. Accompanied with a wide choice of salads, entrées cooking styles, specialty drinks and an exhaustive wine-list, the Melting Pot is surely a foodies paradise. Part of an extensive restaurant franchise, it strives to provide its patrons with innovative dining experiences. In line with this policy, it hosts a special Ladies only Night every Thursday and a Monthly Ladies Mini Spa Night. Live music is available in the lounge from Thursday-Saturday during specific hours. The restaurant also has an attached 'Shoppe' offering on sale its trademark salad dressings, seasonings,chocolate and gift cards. Moreover, the Melting Pot Club Fondue offers its members several opportunities to advance their fondue experience. Online reservations can be made on the website.