Suzy Crofton, chef and owner of Crofton on Wells, has plenty to boast about. Her River North restaurant was named one of the city's finest by Chicago Magazine and voted "Chicago's #1 American Regional restaurant" by Zagat's. As if that isn't enough, the restaurant's tranquil atmosphere, supported by light grey walls, candlelight and an intimate dining room that seats about 60, earned it a mention on a Chicago Tribune's "top five places to propose" list.

If all those accolades (or pre-proposal jitters) work up an appetite, dig into Crofton's fresh menu of seasonal fare. Starters include seasonally-inspired soups like grilled shrimp, shagbark hickory and creme fraiche or the signature crab cake with jumbo lump crabmeat. Second courses feature inspired salads like baby beet with Point Reyes bleu cheese and fig syrup.

Save some room for the rest; enticing choices like barbeque pork tenderloin with apple chutney and grilled New Zealand venison medallions with sweet-potato gnocchi round out the $19-$36 entree menu. Vegetarian selections can be altered to fit a vegan diet; examples may include a cassolette of cauliflower and curried lentil.

Crofton's tea menu rivals its extensive wine selection. Look for exotic, loose-leaf brews like Dragonwell (China's most famous green tea) and the Blend 333, a caffeine-free concoction of peppermint, rosehips and chamomile invented by Crofton customers. A four-course, $55 ($75 with wine pairings) prix-fixe menu is offered Monday-Saturday from 5-6:30 p.m.

Average cost: $21-$30

Centerstage Reviewer: Jennifer Berg