Ad Categories: Food and Wine

Start with a bag greens from the grocery store, throw in some canned artichoke hearts and hearts of palm. Top it with mozzarella and call insalata Volare. VOLARE: 201 E Grand; 312-410-9900

@pennypollack: The chicken Vesuvio @ Volare fooled me. It looked so juicy but it tasted so dry. VOLARE: 201 E Grand; 312-410-9900

Diver sea scallops w/wilted watercress over carrot purée seems bold, but @PerennialCHI, it’s business as usual. PERENNIAL VIRANT: 1800 N LINCOLN; 312-981-7070

The bar snacks plate @PerennialCHI looks & tastes like the garden of good & evil: creamy deviled eggs, kick-ass spicy corn nuts, arguably oily crispy kale. PERENNIAL VIRANT: 1800 N LINCOLN; 312-981-7070  

@pennypollack: Grilled asparagus doesn’t get much better than @PerennialCHI. Fried hen egg dresses it up; herby béarnaise finishes it off. PERENNIAL VIRANT: 1800 N LINCOLN; 312-981-7070    

Churros @ Xoco have everything going for them: Warm and cozy inside, crusty and sugary outside. Chocolate sauce is nice but unnecessary @Rick_Bayless. XOCO: 449 N CLARK; 312-334-3688

I love the way my teeth sink through Xoco’s Cubano torta @Rick_Bayless & the way all the flavors meld perfectly. XOCO: 449 N CLARK; 312-334-3688    

@pennypollack: Grassy earthy smoky perfection in a mushroom torta. How does @Rick_Bayless @Xoco get the seasoning just right? XOCO: 449 N CLARK; 312-334-3688