"The Verdict: We’d like to be eating at Bavette’s right now. This dark steakhouse (filled with plush leather booths and 1920s jazz music) is like hanging out in the windowless parlor of some old-money mansion. Everything about the River North space seems designed to keep you there forever, which might explain why tables are never available—no one leaves. Some of our favorite dishes here (like the fried chicken, chocolate cream pie, and complimentary bread—yes, it’s that good) aren’t even steak at all. And drinking Old Fashioneds in a room that makes you feel like a character in Clue is objectively fun. Reservations are released online 21 days in advance at 9am. They have bar seating and a couple of tables in the bar area available for walk-ins, and if you get here early (they now open at 4pm Monday-Thursday and 3pm on Friday-Sunday) you’re likely to get one." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, john ringor, nick allen