Best Fine Dining in Downers Grove

"Chicago’s only three Michelin star restaurant, Alinea has been around almost 15 years and still books up months in advance. The brainchild of acclaimed chef Grant Achatz who became one of the best chefs in the world despite battling tongue cancer, that’s just one of their impressive feats. It was the first restaurant to pioneer the concept of prepaid ticketed reservations, pricing meals on a sliding scale based on date and time (Friday at 7 p.m. would be more expensive than Tuesday at 5 p.m.) in order to show that dining is an experience akin to the theatre."

"Alinea is probably the most important restaurant on this list!. It’s one of only a handful of restaurants in the U.S. to hold the coveted Michelin 3-Star rating. It’s been named ‘Best Restaurant in America’ three times."

"We came here with a group of friends and left stuffed and satisfied with the courses that were prepared and presented. There's just something about ..."

"Normally we don’t condone paying through the nose for Chinese food when Chinatown options abound, but this gorgeous fourth-floor terrace, brimming with fresh flowers and offering a view of the historic Water Tower, is hard to beat. Elevated takes on peking duck and wok-baked lobster surpass expectations, but if you’re looking to take advantage of the digs while keeping within a budget, stick with snacking on dim sum and splurge on a fancy cocktail."

"Along with promising some of the best Chinese food in Chicago, Shanghai Terrace also boasts some of the best views. From both the seasonal terrace and main dining room on the fourt..."

"West LoopThis ever-evolving fine dining experience from the muti-Michelin-starred Alinea Group has all the makings of a special night out. Always creative and dependably delicious, the ticketed prix-fixe menus highlight culinary traditions, trends, and curiosities from around the globe. The current season’s theme is Mexico City, so expect cleverly arranged plays on street food staples like tuna tostadas, shrimp aguachile, pork butt al pastor, roasted plantain cake, and more."

"Next seems to be unique in the same way all molecular-gastronomy restaurants are unique: the restaurant creates dishes with obscure ingredients, strange presentation, innovative cooking methods, and crazy flavor combinations. But Next pushes boundaries of experimental cuisine by rotating themes. For example, they’ve run a service they called “The Hunt,” which served game-centered dishes on logs."

"If you want to feel like you’ve secured tickets for the last rocket ship leaving Earth, consider making a reservation at Next. This place is owned by the Alinea folks, but unlike Alinea, Next has three different themed tasting meals every year (e.g. Ancient Rome, Hollywood, and Alinea 2005-2010, because why not). Tickets tend to sell out as soon as they’re released."

"The french-influenced restaurant does fare a little on the pricey side, but the views of Navy Pier at night are incomparable to any other nighttime aerial view. The popularity of bookings spike on the nights when Navy Pier has fireworks."

"Dine among the Stars at Cité | Join us in our Sky Lounge |HAPPY HOUR 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM MONDAY - SUNDAY!"

"Blackbird was an excellent Michelin star rated restaurant in Chicago. It was another American restaurant set in an iconic modern space. In fact, the atmosphere won a James Beard Award for “Best Restaurant Design” in 2002."

"Restaurants Italian Gold Coast. This tiny Gold Coast restaurant makes the perfect backdrop for date night. But after one look at the menu, you'll realize that the cutesy interior is backed up by fantastic fare."

"Working from home all day and eager to get out of the house?. Hop off the Brown Line at Armitage and post up at this tucked-away spot. You’ll forget your work blues quickly when you call your quarantine pod to share some pizza, beer and—most important—late-afternoon sunshine."

"The outdoor patio at Homeslice is newly redone and looks better than ever, with clever signage and a converted Airstream for your private parties."

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"Sitting just a few blocks west of the Kimball Brown Line stop is a true neighborhood gem, worth the trip to the end of the line and a favorite for anyone within walking distance. Peking Mandarin is Korean-style Chinese, a fusion of Korean ingredients with Chinese dishes that is popular fare in Korea. Regulars come from all over Chicago seeking out spicy seafood noodles and sweet & sour pork, which amounts to comfort food for many Korean immigrants and anyone else who gets to taste it."

"A name like Yummy Yummy should be catnip to any aficionado of cheap old-school Chinese takeout. Nonsensical phrases are often the first sign that you’ve found a jewel in the rough, and Yummy Yummy shines in an area of the city where great Chinese is sorely lacking otherwise. Don’t plan on eating in unless you can grab one of the five or so tables in the cramped “dining room,” but that should not stop you because all your childhood favorites (assuming you grew up eating Chinese takeout like some of us) are here, and few places do them better."

"Located above a grocery store on a side street off of Wentworth Avenue, Original Triple Crown (not to be confused with Triple Crown) is the place to go for a late-night bite. Seafood dishes and the “hundred flavored” beef, chicken, and shrimp are notable standouts. Order here for delivery and carryout, or call 312-791-1030."

"One of Chicago’s best craft beer stores moved into a larger space in Roscoe Village and recently began food service. While Bitter Pops’ ownership stressed that it will be a taproom first, its chef wants to push the boundaries of pub food. They’ve brought over spice bags from the U.K., stuffing them with seasoned fries and peppers."

"North Center/Bowmanville Founded in 2006 well before the current craft beer craze took hold of America, Half Acre is one of the OGs of Chicago brewing and is regarded by many experts as the finest craft brewer in the city. With not one, but two breweries on the North Side (within a 10-minute drive of each other), Half Acre recently opened its massive 60,000-square-foot Balmoral facility as a testament to its increasing popularity and thirst for experimentation. Daisy Cutter (one of five year-round ales) is the beer that put Half Acre on the map, but the new digs have carved out more room for so-called “wyld beers” marked by experimentation and mixed fermentation."

"Somewhere between Dovetail and Marz is Half Acre, a relative OG by craft beer standards (it was founded by Gabriel Magliaro in 2006). While you may have heard of packaged brewery staples like Daisy Cutter West Coast Pale Ale or Pony Pilsner, the brewery also makes several draft-only offerings that are best experienced at one of their two taprooms. For the original location, check out their space at Lincoln Avenue; for a beer garden vibe, visit the expanded facility on Balmoral."