Alinea Restaurant

Named "Best Restaurant in America," Alinea is a four-star restaurant with outrageously hypermodern dishes created by Chef Grant Achatz, who was named Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation.

CITY: Chicago

17th Street Bar & Grill

17th Street Bar & Grill offers a variety of award-winning barbeque and American favorites. Bon Appétit magazine picked 17th Street Bar & Grill's apple wood-smoked barbecue ribs as the best in the U.S. in 2007. Owner and pitmaster Mike Mills, reverently referred to in barbecue circles as The Legend, is a four-time World Champion and three-time Grand World Champion of Memphis in May, known as the Super Bowl of Swine. Pick up a bottle of 17th Street's award-winning barbecue sauce or Magic Dust rub while you're there.

CITY: Murphysboro

Firefly Grill

Firefly Grill is a modern roadhouse restaurant located on the shores of Lake Kristie. This wonderful place operates on an oasis of American fresh cuisine in the heart of the Midwest. Firefly's menu changes daily and boasts fresh seafood, oak fire steaks and brick oven pizzas. Firefly uses local ingredients whenever possible and fresh herbs and vegetables from their garden. The beautiful facility and grounds make this the perfect place for a wedding or group event. Cooking demonstrations and tours are also available.

CITY: Effingham

Joe Roger's Original Recipe Chili Parlor

Voted Springfield's best chili since 1945. The restaurant also serves hot dogs, sandwiches, tamales and their famous, "Denburger."

CITY: Springfield

Girl and the Goat

With dishes named Fat Bread and Crispy Pig Face, celebrity chef Stephanie Izard injects “rustic, with a bit of badass” (her term) into Chicago’s dining scene with this buzz-worthy hotspot in the West Loop.

CITY: Chicago

Blackbird Restaurant

Voted one of Chicago's top 5 restaurants by Gourmet Magazine and has received 3.5 stars from the Chicago Tribune and Sun-Times. Home to Chef Paul Kahan, winner of the James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Midwest in 2004.

CITY: Chicago

Woodlands Restaurant & Lounge at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa

Open Table's Diner's Choice 2012 Winner, Woodlands features Midwestern regional favorites in a comfortable room with spectacular lake views. Enjoy fresh seafood, aged steaks, pastas.

CITY: Galena

Mickey Finn's Brewery

Mickey Finn's Brewery is a landmark casual social gathering place famous for handcrafted beer. Since opening in 1993 as Lake County's first brewpub, Mickey Finn's has won a trophy case full of national and international awards for their beer. The menu offers a variety of items including burgers, pizza, fish n' chips, and buffalo wings. Also enjoy seasonal outdoor dining, a huge banquet facility, carry-out food and beer, live entertainment on weekends and a diverse clientele.

CITY: Libertyville

Avenues at The Peninsula

Awarded Four Stars from Chicago magazine, Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, Avenues serves contemporary cuisine. A discriminating wine list and meticulous service round out the Avenues experience, making it one of Chicago's greatest dining triumphs.

CITY: Chicago

Famous Fossil Vineyard & Winery

Sample fine red, white, rose and fruit wines as you enjoy the view of the vineyard from the deck or tasting room. Enjoy the delicious cheeses, snacks, and other local products which are featured. The Sweet and Savory Plates with the best local cheeses, meats, fruits, veggies and sweets are available every day. During the summer, you can "Get Out and Game" with yard darts, croquet, bocce ball or indoor games such as Wineopoly, Foodie Fight, Brain Tease, cribbage and more. Visit their website to learn about their many events or to schedule a party, meeting or wedding party.

CITY: Freeport

Von Jakob Vineyard

VonJakob Vineyards, "Little Germany," is located on a Shawnee Forest hill in the Shawnee National Forest. Sample award-winning wines from dry to sweet, red to white. Located in the city of Pomona, IL.

CITY: Pomona

Massbach Ridge Winery

Sample award-winning, estate-grown wine while enjoying the breathtaking Jo Daviess County hills.

CITY: Elizabeth

Mary Michelle Winery

Mary Michelle has 60 acres of vineyards adjacent to the winery and grows most of the grapes that it uses for its wines. This Winery sells only through stores and restaurants. Mary Michelle’s winemaker is the award-winning Lucian Dressel, a fifth generation Greene County resident by way of Boston, New York, Augusta, Mo., and Davis, Ca. In 2003, inspired by the vision of the founders of Mary Michelle, Dressel returned to the Midwest to help make a contribution to the fulfillment of this dream.

CITY: Carrollton

BOKA Restaurant

Fine dining American cuisine from executive chef Giuseppe Tentori (recipient of 2008 Best New Chef Award from Food & Wine Magazine) at this Lincoln Park gem located minutes from Downtown.

CITY: Chicago

Caliterra

Cuisine inspired by Northern California and Tuscany Italy, Caliterra offers a bold menu inspired by pure flavors and creative fusion. Wine spectator award recipent.

CITY: Chicago

Yoshi's Cafe

What's the key to our success? A commitment to excellence. Attention to detail. A first-rate, knowledgeable wait staff. And, of course, the driving forces behind it all: Yoshi and Nobuko Katsumura. You're sure to find new and interesting things at the café, including dishes you won't find anywhere else (have you ever seen barracuda on another menu?!). Our eclectic menu features dishes with influences that run the gamut from Japanese to Italian, French and American. Please join us and experience our fine cuisine in a comfortable atmosphere. At Yoshi's Café, you're like family.

CITY: Chicago

Hawg Pit BBQ Barn

Enjoy award-winning barbeque and beers alongside the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois rivers in historic Grafton. This family restaurant features smoked meats, sandwiches, flame-broiled burgers, sides and much more. Live music is featured every weekend. Opens 11 a.m. daily.

CITY: Grafton