La Petite Folie

1504 E. 55th St., 773-493-1394
Best date-night dinner: The new restaurants opening soon in HP will have a hard time outclassing the service and sumptuous French dishes at this pitch-perfect bistro.

Bonjour Café Bakery

1550 E. 55th St., 773-241-5300
Best dessert destination: This elegant patisserie could use more seats, but hang in there. The chocolate espresso tart, mille-feuille, and colorful macarons are worth the wait.

Woodlawn Tap

1172 E. 55th St., 773-643-5516
Best late-night junk food: Just before the kitchen closes at 12:30 a.m., you can count on a surge of demand for its grilled cheese sandwich and rightfully famous $3 cheeseburger.