Our special occasions list includes restaurants that we do not feel comfortable putting on our approved list because they are just not accessible for most people. These fine dining/special occasion spots can be outstanding, world-class dining experiences, but we just don’t live the kind of lifestyle that will allow for us to visit on a regular basis. A meal at each restaurant typically runs over $120 per person which is too rich for our blood, but we want to call them out nonetheless in case you have that kind of scratch to burn.
| Restaurant | Address | Notes |
| Alinea | 1723 N Halsted | Achatz runs one of the few 3-star restaurants in the country |
| EL ideas | 2419 W 14th | A- rated by Stockyard 1/18/12 |
| Everest | 440 S LaSalle | French from 40 floors above Stock Exchange |
| Graham Elliot | 217 W Huron | New Chef Andrew Brochu joins from ElIdeas, Kith & Kin |
| L2O | 2300 N Lincoln Park | Chef Gras left the Melmans a year ago but L2O marches on |
| Les Nomades | 222 E Ontario | French fine dining |
| Moto | 945 W Fulton Market | Innovative chef Cantu does modernist creativity |
| Next | 953 W Fulton Market | Achatz and Chef Beran present a constantly evolving menu that keeps the town buzzing |
| One Sister | Chef Regan’s home | Underground dining at Chef’s Illana Regan’s home |
| RIA | 11 E Walton | Seasonal high end French |
| Schwa | Micheal Carlson’s BYOB can be tough to score reservation for but supposedly stellar | |
| Spiaggia | 980 N Michigan | Tony Mantuano and Top Chef runner up Sarah Grunenberg do high end Italian |
| TRU | 676 N St Clair | Progressive high end French by Chef Anthony Martin |
