"Dorado, to me, means good energy and positivity," says chef/owner Luis Perez, smiling wide. "And that's exactly what I put into this place." The Chicago veteran chef began cooking French at age 16, and studied under Chef Jack Jones of Boystown stand-by Jack's on Halsted. Perez says he has always had dreams of opening his own place. But though French was his learned passion, he didn't want to forget his Mexican roots. Dorado Restaurant fuses his passion for French and Mexican cuisine.

Dorado is best known for Dorado nachos ($8.95), which come topped with smoked duck, melted Chihuahua cheese, Bermuda onion guacamole, pickle jalapenos and lime cream cheese sauce. Luis says he dreamt up this recipe one night, and when he awoke he knew that it would be a central focus of the restaurant. So he kept that nachos recipe a secret for three years, and unveiled it at the restaurant opening in 2004.

Dorado is also known for its crunchy almond crusted trout ($21.95) and the chocolate chimichangas ($7), which come loaded with vanilla ice cream and Mexican chocolate.

Dorado occupies a corner space on a residential strip of Foster Avenue just a block east of Western Avenue. The low lights inside bring a romantic ambiance to the restaurant, making this a perfect date spot. And it's BYOB.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: Alicia Eler