The best dinner I've had in the past year, and three of the six best dinners I've had in the past five years, have been at
Michael in north suburban Winnetka. Everything has been just amazingly delicious.
Within the city, I think
North Pond continues to be thoroughly excellent, for its cuisine as well as its exquisite setting in the middle of Lincoln Park (the park itself, rather than the adjacent neighborhood of the same name). I've also enjoyed recent dinners at
Cafe des Architectes in the modern Sofitel off North Michigan Avenue.
Most upscale restaurants have a steak on the menu for the less adventurous types, and these three all do.