What the box social did for charitable lunch date auctions, and the ice cream social did for ice cream, Old Town Social does for high-brow food and drink. The North Side gastropub located in the – you guessed it – Old Town neighborhood merges the working man's love of booze and grub with the snob's need for accoutrements like pork belly and aioli.

The brainchild of Chris Freeman (Four Corners Tavern Group) and Chris Dexter (Elm Street Liquors), Old Town Social is at once sleek and cozy, upscale and low down. The slick, modern facade gives way to exposed rafters and quaint Victorian knickknacks. The frites, served with the requisite garlic aioli, taste uncannily like McDonald's French fries. Instead of chicken wings (how crass), crispy duck wings make the menu. And the cherry bombs (deep fried poblano peppers stuffed with jack cheese and chorizo) only sound like some form of "popper" served at Chili's: they taste utterly refined.

The same goes for the drink offerings. In addition to craft beers and wines, a seasonal cocktail menu includes ingredients such as creme de violette, moscao d'Asti and angostura bitters. Regardless of whatever rare, imported ingredients they feature, these drinks will get you drunk.

Add an extensive charcuterie list and array of artisan salads and sandwiches all created by Jared Van Camp (Blackbird, Osteria di Tramanto) to the mix and you've got an exquisitely rendered neighborhood bar where appreciators of the finer things as well as those who just like to have a good time can mingle.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Amanda Nyren