Best Fine Dining in Westmont

"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."

"Experimental , Molecular Gastronomy"

"For an upscale and elegant dim sum experience, no place in the city rivals the Shanghai Terrace, perched on the top of the Peninsula Chicago Hotel. With an emphasis on Cantonese dishes, the dim sum menu features delicate plates with high-end ingredients such as dumplings with lobster and black truffle, bean curd rolls with scallop and fresh rice crepes. The Terrace also offers Peking duck prepared three ways – roasted and sliced according to tradition, cooked in a Chinese green mustard soup and finally, mixed with braised noodles."

"Rooftop restaurants Chicago, Shanghai Terrace | Photocredit: www.peninsula.com/. Set 4 floors up at the five star hotel The Peninsula Chicago, Shanghai Terrace is a offers both a lovely rooftop terrace and a great Chinese restaurant. >Here you find an indoor restaurant with a 1930s supper club décor, and a stylish decorated terrace with dining tables, cabanas and comfy lounge sofas along with cool views of the downtown sky scrapers."

"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."

"It’s one of only two restaurants in Chicago to receive the 2-Michelin star designation. It also boasts a AAA 5 Diamond rating. Oriole is located in Chicago’s bustling West Loop neighborhood."

"If you want to feel like you’ve secured tickets for the last rocket ship leaving Earth, consider making a reservation at Next. This place is owned by the Alinea folks, but unlike Alinea, Next has three different themed tasting meals every year (e.g. Ancient Rome, Hollywood, and Alinea 2005-2010, because why not). Tickets tend to sell out as soon as they’re released."

"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."

"By law, no building in Chicago can be built on the lake side of Lake Shore Drive. However, one developer found a loophole and built Lake Point Tower, one of the tallest residential buildings in the world. Up at the top, on the 70th floor, Cite’ serves up excellent French-inspired American haute cuisine."

"The french-influenced restaurant does fare a little on the pricey side, but the views of Navy Pier at night are incomparable to any other nighttime aerial view. The popularity of bookings spike on the nights when Navy Pier has fireworks."

"Celebrate a special occasion or simply relish a perfect dinner in the chic atmosphere at Chicago’s upscale steakhouse, The Capital Grille. This place is known for its dry-aged steaks, and you won’t be disappointed by its American cuisine. Tantalizing dishes like Gorgonzola and truffle-crusted, dry aged NY strip with cabernet reduction or the all-natural herb-roasted chicken will surely impress."

"Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. A post shared by The Capital Grille (@thecapitalgrille) on Aug 13, 2018 at 8:57am PDT. As one of Chicago’s best steakhouses, the Capital Grille is an impressive establishment."

"Gone are the days of chunky scoops, and here to stay are the finely crafted, thin slices of ice cream that trick you into thinking you’re ingesting fewer calories than you really are."

"Description: Aha Crepe is known for serving Crepes and Dessert, ranging from sweet to savory. Location: 2435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 6061"

"Description: The new home for the Poetry Foundation was designed by John Ronan Architects and built in 2011, being 26,000 sq ft its project area. Yet so small it is one of the most effective buildings in terms of concept. Like a poem that invites multiple readings, the space encourages repeated visits, revealing itself slowly over time."

"We love this sophisticated home of Poetry magazine for its underplayed elegance and hushed presence among bustling River North. It’s not shouting, “Look at me!. ” in any way or trying to be the biggest or tallest; it’s just quietly doing its job."

"Forget a Tiffany necklace, this massive stained-glass masterpiece at the Chicago Cultural Center is thought to be the largest Tiffany dome in existence."

"Originally built as the South Shore Country Club, this South Side icon was penned by architects Marshall and Fox in 1905. Purchased by the Chicago Park District in 1975 and renamed as the South Shore Cultural Center, the landmarked Mediterranean Revival building features painstakingly restored historic details, a grandiose ballroom, and golf course. It remains a popular venue for weddings and other large events."

"The South Shore Cultural Center is a great example of what the South Side has to offer. The sprawling landscape surrounding the center features manicured gardens, a golf course, nature paths, a butterfly garden, and picnic areas. Next to the former country club is a wild, overgrown nature preserve with a fire circle and views of Lake Michigan and the city."

"Located only a few minutes south from Hyde Park's Museum of Science & Industry, the South Shore Cultural Center has been an iconic structure in the neighborhood since 1905. Throughout the summer it focuses on rich programming that is free to all. Entertainment ranges from West African dance performances to live jazz or classical music."

"Southport's main claim to fame is this 1929 movie house, which shows independent and classic films on its two screens. Live organ music…"

"Lincoln ParkThe views don’t get much better than Theatre on the Lake, where your outdoor table is parked just steps from the softly crashing waves of Lake Michigan. With seating for 80 and a focused selection of entrées from chicken tinga tacos to brisket dip, Theatre on the Lake continues to serve as something of a mental health break come to life. Stop by for weekend brunch served from 10 am to 3 pm.How to book: Reserve via OpenTable."

"Another way to enjoy some family fun in Chicago is at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. This might seem like an odd recommendation for a holiday with kids, but the showcases put up at this theater also include several kid-friendly productions. There are special abridged versions of the classic plays for the younger ones and students to enjoy."

"We know, it might seem like a stretch to include a theater—and Shakespeare, no less—on a kid’s map. But the Navy Pier’s Chicago Shakespeare Theater showcases a ton of kid-friendly performances, including shorter 75-minute abridged productions geared toward families and students. Check their website for the latest shows and schedules."

"With attractions as varied as the Chicago Children’s Museum and the Chicago Shakespeare Theater to a massive concert venue, you can practically spend the entire day here! One of the most popular attractions on Navy Pier is its iconic Ferris wheel, visible from many vantage points across the city."