Don't let the exterior fool you. This small, family-run restaurant tucked away near the Chicago Board of Trade in the Loop knows how to please guests. All of their pasta is made in-house by chefs that have been perfecting the art for decades. Actually, almost nothing comes out of a box or a can here. The dining room is warm and spacious, and the staff treats customers as if they were family. Classics such as Fried Eggplant a La Parmigiana and Linguine and Clam Sauce are all represented on the menu, as well as hearty portions of Center Cut Pork Chops and Choice Sirloin Chopped Steak. Try the 3 Baby Cannolis for dessert. - Gina Rosemellia

Elegant interiors welcome you at Trattoria No 10. Trendy furniture and perfect lights create a relaxed ambiance. The menu list is extensive and comprises mainly of scrumptious dishes that will surely whet your appetite. Classics like Minestrone Soup or salads are lip-smacking; Pasta and Ravioli, are prepared with great care and the end result is amazing. The menu changes daily thou. Host to a number of local events, the venue is also rented out for parties and social gatherings.

For the dimly-lit, bar and booth feel of a tavern with the added sophistication of an upscale restaurant, try the Tavern at the Park. Relax in the comfortable leather booths and order a specialty drink or a glass of wine, and then peruse the menu for the perfect dish. Perfect for meat-lovers, as they have everything from Chicken Milanese to Lobster Ravioli to Braised Beef Short Ribs. This restaurant is also great for private dining.

Considered as one of the most casual dining places La Cantina is located in the basement of Italian Village. The look and ambiance is more like a wine cellar with recessed seating and large fish tanks. Famous for its traditional Italian steaks and seafood with a North Italian twist to it. The food served is brilliant and a visual treat, try the macaroni with scallops and shrimp in a garlic-pesto cream sauce or the house specials manicotti with fresh tomato sauce, fresh Dover sole filleted tableside, shrimp casaligna and spaghetti mare Monti with one of the fine wines.

Vivere is considered by many to be one of the best restaurants in all of Chicago. This trendy establishment has been designed by Jordon Mozer with gold and red hues, hanging lights and copper sculptures. It serves contemporary Italian cuisine, with new takes on traditional dishes like raviolis and spaghetti with meatballs. The wine list here is also one of the most extensive around.

The Restaurant at Conrad is located in the elegant Conrad Chicago. Come here to relish well-prepared dishes in a well furnished diner. Every item on the menu is prepared using fresh seasonal ingredients and are delicious to say the least. When teamed up with the best mixture of choicest 'South Asian' spices, the end result is a delectable delight that is impossible to resist. The ambiance exudes style and the decor is up-class making it a perfect setting for a casual business dining or a casual meal with friends.

Bold colors and comfortable furnishing rule the scene at Rendez-Vous. Located in the elegant and up scale Conrad Chicago, its apt for dining and drinking. Savor oyster and lobster preparations or gorge on popular snacks like French fries with Parmesan cheese. The combination of velvet chairs and sofas with the marble bar creates an elegant ambiance while the fresh flowers give this place a vibrant feel. An extensive range of refreshing drinks makes this diner a perfect place for a quiet cozy meal.

There is no doubt that West End Bar & Grill is putting the West Loop on the map. Cab after cab come to the neighborhood that are usually headed toward the United Center now stop at this hot, new smoke-free bar. There are enough flat screen Tvs to guarantee you will never have a bad view of the game. If you are lucky enough to get one of the booths, you will be treated to two flat screen Tvs just for you. At the back there is a lounge area where you can relax on leather couches and chairs - taking in that whole clubhouse feel. Come dressed to kill or as comfortable as possible, either way, you'll be at home.

Global cuisine reigns supreme at Grand Lux Cafe. Burgers, pasta, pizza, giant salads, and meat dishes ranging from wiener schnitzel to Jamaican pork tenderloin grace the wide-reaching menu. The Grand Lux Cafe is also an excellent destination for brunch on Saturday or Sunday mornings, with a menu that includes a number of different egg dishes as well as brioche French toast, Belgian waffles, and traditional buttermilk pancakes. One thing that you won't want to miss at Grand Lux Cafe is the dessert. As a sister restaurant to the Cheesecake Factory, it should come as no surprise that a number of cheesecakes are available for you to choose from. However, if you aren't a cheesecake fan, or are in the mood for something different, there are plenty of other options to tempt your palate. Several desserts must be chosen when you order your entree, as they are baked to order. The molten chocolate cake and warm rustic apple pie are two such desserts that are definitely worth trying. If the sweet tooth hits after you have finished your meal, no worries, as there are still plenty of fresh-baked cakes or pies to choose from. Chocoholics will definitely not want to miss the fudge cake collision;a huge portion of rich chocolate cake slathered with hot fudge and vanilla ice cream.

With nightly drink and food specials and enough flat screen televisions to ensure a good view from anywhere in the bar, Union Park is the place to watch the big game or relax after a long day. The clientele is an eclectic mix that is truly representative of West Loop and a place where everyone can feel at home. You won't go hungry at Union Park-food is served until the wee hours of the morning. Speaking of mornings, don't miss the Sunday Football Brunches-all you can eat for USD6.99. You can host your own event or just hang out with the crowd.