A taste of the Southwest in the Windy City, Zia is all heart (and chilis). If you're a sucker for Mexican food but just can't stand the tedium of the same old rice-and-bean mills, you need only focus your attention a little further north on the map, to the oft-overlooked cuisine of New Mexico.

So what exactly distinguishes New Mexican food? The secret is in the chilis, and you'll find them hiding in almost every item on Zia's extensive menu. Every meal here starts with fresh, homemade salsa and warm tortilla chips. House specialties incude a stuffed sopaipilla, a Native American puff pastry filled like a burrito, and the carne adovada, a savory pork loin sure to impress any carnivore. Vegetarians have a range of choices, too, including the chile rellenos, a New Mexican chili pepper stuffed with cheese. Zia has put a lot of thought into its children's menu; your more adventurous little ones can choose from several mini-versions of traditional dishes, but the family-owned spot has brilliantly added a grilled-cheese fallback option, just in case.

From the hand-shaken margaritas to the green chili stew, everything on Zia’s menu is lovingly prepared, but the true heart of this restaurant reveals itself after dinner. You could order flan or platanos, but if you really want a taste of New Mexico, go for the sopaipillas drizzled with honey. Careful, the addictive qualities of this dessert will keep you coming back, which should provide you ample opportunities to ogle the rotating displays of New Mexican art that adorn the red walls at this tiny eatery.

Average cost: $10-$20

Centerstage Reviewer: K. Tighe