The whimsical ground-floor occupant of the Burnham Hotel (see), Atwood Cafe draws a cross-section of travelers, desk jockeys, theatergoers, and shoppers in for chef Heather Terhune’s café menu. Modern dishes like grilled calamari and tuna carpaccio balance such comfort food classics as grilled pork chops with spaetzle. The interior is decorated in a red and black color scheme, and cozy velvet banquettes and settees encourage lingering. Soak up the Loop scene through floor-to-ceiling windows framing the downtown bustle at lunch and romantic, marquee-lit streetscapes at dinner.

Atwood Cafe Information:

• American menu. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, brunch. Closed Thanksgiving, Dec 25. Bar. Children's menu. Business casual attire. Reservations recommended. Valet parking. Outdoor seating.