Foodies are flocking to Chicago with good reason.  Saveur said “the Windy City is America’s new culinary star,” and Cooking Light gave it one of its Best Cities Awards. Rick Bayless’ Frontera Grill won the 2007 James Beard Award for America’s Outstanding Restaurant.  Stephanie Izard snagged Bravo TV’s Top Chef title. Food & Wine’s Best New Chefs include (for 2008) Giuseppe Tentori of Boka, Koren Grieveson of Avec and (for 2007) Paul Virant of Vie in suburban Western Springs. Vegetarian Times’ readers picked Chicago Diner as one of their faves.  And the accolades keep pouring in.

Check out the city’s great restaurant options for contemporary dining, ethnic flavors, pizza, hot dogs and other local specialties, and other tantalizing choices downtown and throughout the neighborhoods.

Or let the experts guide your group. Chicago Dine Around plans Progressive Dining Tours – each to three restaurants for hors d’oeuvres at one, the main course at the second, and dessert at the third. Restaurants enjoy excellent reviews and accommodate guests with preferential treatment.

Chicago Food Planet tours combine eight food stops - from specialty food shops to one-of-a-kind ethnic eateries - with narration into the city’s history and insider restaurant recommendations. Tours might include an authentic Ashkenazi Jewish deli, a specialty store selling aged balsamic vinegar and olive oil, and a loose tea and tisanes merchant.

Or take a walk on the sweet side with Chicago Chocolate Tours discover select chocolate shops in various neighborhoods, seated chocolate tastings, and fascinating chocolate facts.

At Fox & Obel, a market much like those in old world Europe, foodies can stock up on a staggering assortment of foods and ingredients, then stop at the Café for an exquisite meal with handcrafted pastries. Epicures can expand their knowledge through culinary events at Macy’s or cooking classes at The Chopping Block, Hearty Boys, and World Kitchen.