UPTOWN. Outstanding Med and Lebanese food consistently comes from this Andersonville kitchen. The large menu includes a mix of meat and vegetarian options (vegan options too). Roast lamb with couscous, Moroccan chicken with apricots, and Mediterranean eggplant are just a few of the goodies that await. The dining room's fireplace, high ceilings, large windows, and warm tones put diners at ease and provide a welcoming ambiance. Smart casual dress.

This restaurant features a very large menu (over 70 options) of Mediterranean cuisine with traditional Turkish influences. This eatery is comfortable with friendly waitstaff. Start off with a feta cheese appetizer and then head for the succulent lamb chops. Great vegetarian selections available as well. Table or floor seating (on pillows) available. Turkish wine and beers available. Smart casual dress.

RIVER NORTH. Reza's light, open, loft-like design with exposed brick/ductwork, hardwood, and stone floors gives the room an understated elegance. Delectable Persian food endlessly emerges from the kitchen and gives guests reason to come back again and again. The chef's recommended tasting is the most comprehensive way to enjoy the menu. He hand selects items by your taste and dietary specifications. Particularly wonderful are the award-winning broiled salmon and fesenjan, which is duck breast in pomegranate sauce. The sister location in Andersonville offers the same delicacies in a slightly more intimate environment.

RIVER NORTH. Armenian eats that can't be beat keep locals lining up at this East Ohio Street gem. The prices are just as good as the food and make for a great value, especially for midday diners. Kebabs, chops, baba ganouj, and hummus are just a few of the house specialties that await guests. Twice a month, DJs spin tunes, turning the unassuming eatery into a popular nightspot. A full bar serves bottled beer and wine. Reservations accepted.

WICKER PARK. Souk (Arabic for "market") offers fantastic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean fare nightly in a super-funky Anton Paul Kobhnitz-designed space. Beautiful mosaics, leather tabletops, fur and armor chairs, and the wildest bathrooms in town delight locals and visitors alike. Dining can be a la carte or family-style, letting patrons share wonderful, unique menu items in more traditional style. Souk also offers the only Shisha (a water pipe that employs fruit tobacco) Bar in Chicago. Ask for a smoke after dinner for an authentic experience.