Like most people, I've casually hoped to linger over to a walled bookshelf, pull the secret book title, causing the shelf to rotate and grant me access to something exclusive. That finally happened at River North's District Bar. The secret alcove (shhh!) is a VIP library encased in more bookshelves and flat screens. Like most good libraries, it has projector capability, making it a Shangri-La for honeymoon, anniversary, birthday parties with video for about 40 people.

District's menu of distinct entrees and clever cocktails is respectful of our intelligence. Each curious entree description is indisputable; a guileless set of three to four words letting us know what will arrive on our plate. The executive chef, Matthew Moss, has not pre-determined our likes and will not say inappropriate things to us like "succulent/sumptuous," although I can't be sure what all the words meant. However, the staff is proud of the menu and looks forward to discussing it. Upcoming additions are expected this month, including the lobster flatbread with mushrooms; since Ben Gordon of the Chicago Bulls came back three times in two months requesting it.

The layout is chic and the design is elegant. During a commercial break I forgot I was at a sports bar, even in a panorama of 40 high-resolution TVs and the usual suspects of domestics and imports on tap. I'm thinking: ideal game-night date place. The window-side, front bistro is calm and romantic. If your anniversary or their birthday falls on a major game night, you can suggest this "new downtown restaurant with totally classy food." Then, act like you didn't know District broadcasts every single sporting event of the day. At that point, grab a flute of Plum Champagne or Cucumber Caipiroska (perhaps the freshest martini that money can buy) and move across the central social arena to the leather love-seats with three tremendous screens.

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Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Kate Anderson