"If you or someone you know just put in a few years at The University of Chicago, try Virtue. This elegant Southern spot is our favorite restaurant in Hyde Park. Not only is the food great, but we like sitting in the airy dining room that’s always packed, but never feels claustrophobic. Come here to share things like biscuits and pimento cheese, fried green tomatoes, buttery shrimp and grits, and baked mac and cheese we’d run through a wall for. Then head to the large, separate bar area for after-dinner drinks and toast to the start of your loan repayments." - veda kilaru, john ringor, adrian kane, nick allen