Edition: Holiday Shopping

Dining: Rising Stars

Author: Theresa Page

ALINEA
This Lincoln Park eatery has been stirring things up in the culinary world since it opened its doors in 2005. The media has given considerable attention to both the restaurant and chef-owner Grant Achatz; Gourmet magazine even selected Alinea as number one on their list of America's Top 50 Restaurants in 2006, quite an honor for such a young restaurant. On top of that, Achatz is an award-winning James Beard Foundation chef (he was named Rising Star Chef in 2003 and Best Chef:Great Lakes in 2007), plus the restaurant received Five Stars from the Mobil Travel Guide and Five Diamonds from AAA. The custom-designed food service equipment, top-notch service, creative ingredient-driven offerings and skilled sommeliers make this a meal you won't soon forget. Options: Multi-course "tasting" and "tour" degustation menus. Alinea, 1723 N. Halsted St., 312-867-0110. 

MOTO
Food Network fans will recognize executive chef Homaro Cantu - he dueled with Iron Chef Morimoto in Kitchen Stadium in early 2007 (he was also the cover boy for Gourmet magazine's October 2006 issue, which included America's Top 50 Restaurants). Cantu is part mad scientist-part culinary whiz, and his food and service program is guaranteed to provide a multisensory dining experience. Cantu utilizes several unique serving tools, including an insulated polymer box that cooks your next course at the table, and custom-made dual-purpose silverware that is both functional and an outlet for another layer of sensory stimulation. Although the menu at this Near West Side restaurant changes frequently, expect one-of-a-kindofferings prepared with offbeat kitchen "equipment" like helium, liquid nitrogen and food-based inks (think freeze-dried pina colada and doughnut soup and edible menus). Options: Five-, 10- and 20-course degustation menus. Moto, 945 W. Fulton Market Ave., 312-491-0058. 

AVENUES AT THE PENINSULA CHICAGO HOTEL
Since Graham Elliot Bowles took the reigns as chef de cuisine at Avenues in September of 2004, this River North restaurant has scored slews of awards including Four Stars from the Mobil Travel Guide, Five Diamonds from AAA, and four stars both from the Chicago Tribune and Chicago magazine. Chef Bowles has also received accolades; he was nominated by the James Beard Foundation as a Rising Star Chef in both 2006 and 2007. Iron Chef America devotees might remember him battling Bobby Flay in Kitchen Stadium in February of 2007 (hint: the secret ingredient was chocolate). Bowles dazzles with his creative ingredient-focused fare, and he adds effective elements of surprise (like ground Altoids as mint in lamb jus). Options: Five-, nine- and fifteen-course degustation menus. (Note: Avenues is closed for the month of January.) Avenues, 108 E. Superior St., 312-573-6754. 

CHARLIE TROTTER'S
Chef-owner Charlie Trotter is known worldwide for his progressive fare, stellar service and impressive wine collection. The Lincoln Park restaurant recently celebrated its 20th anniversary -- quite a feat in the restaurant business -- with a spectacular invite-only dinner featuring courses prepared by culinary luminaries like Thomas Keller and Ferran Adria. Trotter's has garnered numerous awards including Five Stars from the Mobil Travel Guide, Five Diamonds from AAA, 10 James Beard Foundation awards and multiple awards from Wine Spectator. Trotter's seasonal menus, which change daily, incorporate the most pristine ingredients available. Options: Multicourse degustation menus (vegetable, grand and kitchen). Charlie Trotter's, 816 W. Armitage Ave., 773-248-6228. 

TRU
This gorgeous restaurant, which is located just of Michigan Avenue in the Streeterville neighborhood, wows diners with its progressive French-influenced fare from Rick Tramonto, and its top-notch desserts from Gale Gand, who you might recognize as the host of the Food Network's "Sweet Dreams" (the duo also competed against Iron Chef Mario Batali in a fennel-themed contest in 2006, also on the Food Network). TRU and its chefs have received an array of awards, including Four Stars from Mobil and Five Diamonds from AAA, plus Best Chef: Midwest Tramonto, Outstanding Pasty Chef (Gand) and the Outstanding Service Award (2007) from the James Beard Foundation, plus multiple nods from Wine Spectator, including the Grand Award for Outstanding Restaurant Wine Lists (2004). Options: Three-course prix fixe menu, and six-course "grand," eight-course "chef's," and 10-course "seasonal" menus Tru, 676 N. St. Clair St., 312-202-0001.