This neighborhood trattoria-style is one of the finer Italian restaurants in the area, with wonderful authentic Italian dishes and a superb wine cellar (you can also order one of 300+ bottles from the adjacent market for a $6 corkage fee).

Located in the Spanish-style Plaza del Lago shopping center, the atmosphere is cheery but relaxed, the wait-staff is friendly and interesting portraits decorate the walls. Dinner entrees (around $8-$16) include sauteed salmon with a spinach and asparagus risotto and fettuccine in a four-cheese sauce with peas, mushrooms and proscuitto.

Out for a summertime drive? Convito was voted one of the top 10 al fresco places to dine by the Chicago Sun-Times, thanks to its canopied terrace.