Best Fine Dining in Jefferson Park

"Alinea’s website is clear: “Alinea is not a restaurant.” On top of delicious food, Alinea promises a performance, a spectacle of modern cuisine, and “a serving of emotions” over a modest three- to five-hour dinner of 18 to 22 courses. And ever since Head Chef Grant Achatz was featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table, the restaurant’s notoriety has exploded. Alinea plays with the presentation (driftwood topped with seaweed), sensory experience (an edible helium balloon made of green apple taffy), and sound."

"Since opening in 2005, the Lincoln Park restaurant has distinguished itself as a premier dining destination. Winning the coveted three stars from Michelin, Alinea is only one of 14 U.S. restaurants to earn this ranking. But the awards don’t stop there."

"Chinese is perched curiously atop the list of cuisines that seem to resist the high-end treatment. Maybe it’s the long association with greasy delivery dishes and Chinatown dives, who knows, but it’s a shame, because the bevy of flavors seem like they would be perfect in the hands of a sophisticated chef. At least Chicago has Shanghai Terrace, which sports a luxurious atmosphere atop the Peninsula Hotel with a sublime view of city."

"In the upscale Peninsula Hotel in Downtown Chicago, you'll find a gourmet dim sum restaurant with roaring ‘30s supper club décor and a blend of Shanghainese and Cantonese dishes. This Zagat-listed pearl of an eatery blends old world elegance with new world sensibilities for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Shanghai Terrace is one of the best restaurants in Chicago for atmosphere and fine dining."

"What's better than Cantonese delicacies while gazing at Chicago’s skyline?. Located inside The Peninsula Hotel, Shanghai Terrace sets the scene for a 1930s supper club. Have a cocktail on the terrace or enjoy Cantonese meals inside the restaurant."

"Restaurants Contemporary American West Loop. Situated off the beaten path of Restaurant Row, just east of the Kennedy Expressway, Oriole didn't fall for the traditional trappings of a Michelin-starred restaurant. The cozy, understated dining room is just as welcoming of suits and LBDs as it is of T-shirts and jeans."

"West LoopThis ever-evolving fine dining experience from the muti-Michelin-starred Alinea Group has all the makings of a special night out. Always creative and dependably delicious, the ticketed prix-fixe menus highlight culinary traditions, trends, and curiosities from around the globe. The current season’s theme is Mexico City, so expect cleverly arranged plays on street food staples like tuna tostadas, shrimp aguachile, pork butt al pastor, roasted plantain cake, and more."

"The most forward-thinking restaurant in the country, in my opinion, Next is another ticketed experience from the team behind bucket-list worthy Alinea. Every quarter they completely reconceptualize the space and food from Paris 1906 to Thailand 2020 and even had a whimsical Childhood menu with edible finger paints. The buzz definitely justifies the hype."

"Housed on the ground level of Eurostars Magnificent Mile in the busy River North neighborhood, Portsmith is a New England-inspired eatery serving memorable riffs on seafood classics - for example, the signature fish 'n' chips is made with Alaskan halibut (as opposed to cod). The $20 prix fixe lunch offers a choice of clam chowder or charred avocado; fish 'n' chips or seafood-enhanced salads; and petit fours. Add a bevy of seafood to any salad from Alaskan King crab to pan-seared halibut."

"Portsmith is another highly recommended seafood restaurant in Chicago. It is housed in a chic structure with nautical decor and if you visit in warm weather you can take advantage of the seasonal patio for dining. It’s a stylish restaurant that features an elevated seafood and raw bar fare."

"There are two stories here, and if you come at weekends you’ll be able to dance and drink on both of them. Weeknights are when just the main floor is in action. It’s in the Fulton Market area of town and can get very busy, so we recommend arriving early to grab your place in the line."

"Restaurants Steakhouse River North. This steakhouse chain's Marina City digs—a Chicago River fixture since 1998—sports all the classics, from prime-aged meat cuts to creamed spinach and truffled mac and cheese. Head to the restaurant's covered patio area for peak river views, or grab a table near the interior's floor-to-ceiling windows."

"A post shared by Insomnia Cookies (@insomniacookies) on Jul 17, 2019 at 12:04pm PDT. If even picking up cookies is low on your to-do list, Insomnia Cookies comes to the rescue. This chain specializes in late-night cookie delivery (yes, you read that right), including sugar cookies, double chocolate mint cookies and drool-worthy smores cookies."

"Insomnia cookies are next on this list of the best desserts in Chicago. Cookies are the perfect addition to any day, so why not stop by Insomnia Cookies for an ice cream sandwich fix?. Unlike some other joints that offer ice cream sandwiches, Insomnia Cookies lets you customize your treat every step of the way!"

"6 locations in and near the city; Online: insomniacookies.com. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Defloured Bakery (@deflouredbakery) on Aug 4, 2019 at 8:26am PDT"

"Sweet Shot Cookies specializes in infused cookies and cookie cakes. Their homemade gooey infused cookies can be filled with anything from marshmallow fluff to dark chocolate ganache—you name it, they infuse it. They can be ordered pre-filled or if you're a DIY'er, they can be delivered with a syringe of flavor so you can inject it yourself with as much filling as you'd like."

"This Irish ice cream shop offers unique flavors such as bright blue Cookie Monster ice cream that’s worth a blue mouth. However, their most stand-out menu item is the Lucky Charms topping. You can top your favorite ice cream cone with pieces of the best childhood cereal."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user TheCulinaryGeek used under CC BY 2.0. Cone Gourmet Ice Cream is a neighborhood ice cream and dessert shop owned by a family in Chicago and reflects a retro vibe. The shop offers an insane list of snacks and sweet snacks."

"This Mexican ice cream shop and its colorful paletas are a total must-try. La Michoacana’s extensive options, ranging all the way from tangy Michelada to creamy strawberry, will have you coming back and back again for more!. The shop also sells tangy mangoneadas, with blended mango sorbet, diced fresh fruit, lime juice and Tajin chili powder, another incredible option for cooling down in the hot summer weather!"

"There are a few La Michoacanas in Chicago, but the location we really like is in Pilsen. It has a drive-thru (much appreciated this year), the staff is friendly, and they have great paletas and regular ice cream. The treats here are very sweet, perfect for when you want a dessert that tastes like dessert because not everyone wants their treats to taste like goat cheese or earl grey tea."

"There is so much color, fun, and creativity in every dessert that you won’t be able to resist squeezing in a quick photoshoot before everything melts!. Looking for more fun things to do in Chicago?. Check out these posts to read more:"

"This homemade ice cream is a treat that can be savored all-year round. With shakes, floats, cones, and sundaes, you can enjoy your ice cream any way that you want it."

"We've tried finding a less-than-delicious dish on Tweet's massive menu and have determined such a dish does not exist. The cute, cozy, cash-only breakfast and lunch spot in Uptown truly has something for everyone. From huevos rancheros to bagels and lox to vegan-friendly faves, good luck eating your way through all of it!"