Help and Suggestions with Special Dinner Plans

I really love Chicago and its people and have made it a point to visit for three of the past five years (which coincides with my college graduation and full time employment = sufficient travel funds). I like to consider myself an intelligent and relatively new foodie and always try to eat at local, high-quality, original eateries regardless of my destination. Chicago offers plenty of these to be sure and LTH Forum has helped immensely in my research this time around.

This year I plan on visiting Smoque, Cafe Spiaggia, Al's on Talyor (only been to the Ontario location so far) and Burt's Place. I also want to experience a once-in-a-long-while, special, unmatched dinner. In this regard, I narrowed the list down to Alinea, Trotter's, and Tru. Also potentially on this list: Moto, Blackbird, and the new L20.

I'm leaning against L20 simply because I live on the coast in Florida and I've gorged on fresh seafood for a couple of months now and will be personally harvesting some scallops from the Gulf in a few weeks (delicious). Don't get me wrong, I'm certain L20 would blow anything in FL out of the water in terms of quality, service, and presentation, I just feel like I've had my seafood cravings satiated. If the reviews stay as positive as they have been, L20 will be on the hit list next year.

Anyway, this is where I need the help of the great LTH posters regarding the fine dining choice. I am open to other restaurant suggestions, comments if anyone has eaten at these restaurants recently and if there are trends up or down (service, quality, etc.), and opinions on the selections above. I am taking my girlfriend (first time visitor to Chicago) and price is not a sticking point. Also, location is not too much of a concern as long as we're talking the city, neighborhoods, and suburbs.

Alinea. If you want "unmatched", that's what you'll get.

Moto. Less expensive ($75/$115/$175, leaving room for the creative non-alcoholic drink pairings or an after-dinner drink and creative snack at the bar at Otom, Graham Elliot, Avec, etc., vs. Alinea's $145/$225), and in my experience, better tasting, more appropriately filling (in a balanced way), and just more fun.

Blackbird, or if you're willing to go out west, Vie, could also fit the bill; I'm talking raw quality of food here more than blow-your-mind service or circuses (though you will get some of those at Moto).

I love Blackbird, but for "once in a long while, special, unmatched" you can't beat Alinea. The tour if it doesn't break the bank and you have 4 horus for dinner. There is certainly nothing like it. Wonderful photos on this site give you an idea of what you're in for.