Tucked inside the confines of a tiny mall, this quaint dining room, considered one of the city's best, is a paean to French cuisine. Mike and Mary Mastricola, two alumni of The University of Chicago, opened this tastefully appointed restaurant after spending time overseas. Mary graduated from the Cordon Bleu school in Paris, Mike's specialty is wine, and the straightforward menu with flavors as crisp as the white tablecloths reflects their devotion to cooking.

Lavender honey-roasted quail and pepper-crusted tuna loin are two of the many succulent main courses that have been available at La Petite Folie, French for "the little madness." A $30 prix-fixe meal is available in from 5-6:30 p.m., and may be the best way to experience this restaurant's culinary riches.

Average cost: $21-$30

Centerstage Reviewer: Patrick Sisson