Pete Miller's boasts the best of Chicago: live jazz nightly, juicy steaks and a pretension-free Midwestern attitude—if you can't tell a t-bone from a filet, your waiter will bring out a tray of raw meat to distinguish the different cuts.

The menu is hearty, elegant and classically steakhouse. Start your meal with lobster bisque (one of the best this Bostonian has encountered); the creamy concoction is poured at your table over a bed of tomatoes, crab meat and onions. Other mouth-watering appetizers include the bacon-wrapped scallops with a teriyaki glaze and the baked goat cheese in homemade marinara sauce. Unless you're looking to save—in which case you can order a soup or salad for $8-$13—the long list of steak and seafood entree options should satisfy your appetite. From filet mignon to other prime-aged steaks like the rib-eye and the New York strip, every cut comes with your choice of toppings, including horseradish, Cajun cream and hollandaise.

The dining area includes a few secluded rooms perfect for a romantic night out. But if you've come for jazz, booths and tables around the small stage in the central bar are the ideal listening locales. Regular groups like the Bobby Boom trio and the Ron Perrillo Trio play weekly, as well as an impressive line up of visiting performers. Your job: Order yourself a glass of port (Pete Miller's forte in the beverage area) and let the music do the talking.

Average cost: $21-$30

Centerstage Reviewer: Emily Browne