Butter in Chicago, Illinois, United States | Restaurant

This hip but approachable restaurant takes its color cues from vino and its menu from familiar, yet elevated ingredients. The long, illuminated red bar, punctuated by a stocked raw bar serving interestingly presented oysters, is where pretty pairs sip martinis. A Buttery, candlelit glow flickers from tabletops nearby, and a polka-dot upstairs lounge overlooks the scene below. New American dishes fuse unlikely pairings with stellar results. Choices include wood-grilled salmon with white bean ragout; herb-stuffed chicken with polenta cake; and wood-grilled NY strip with roasted new potatoes, caramelized cauliflower and red wine sauce. The restaurant especially caters to the ladies by offering goodies in the bathroom and clever purse holders that clip to dining room tables.