BienMeSabe, Chicago

The chefs at La Sierra Restaurant celebrate South American flavors with Ecuadorian and Mexican plates served to red-draped tables in a space enlivened by indigenous artwork. Opened by an Ecuadorian family more than 25 years ago, La Sierra—named for the Andes mountains—draws inspiration from authentic recipes passed down through generations via Facebook posts. Servers whisk flautas, shrimp-studded fajitas, and other Mexican classics from the kitchen as chefs create Ecuadorian specialties with tender goat meat, sweet plantains, and peanut sauce. Diners can sip home-brought brews beneath pendant lamps in the colorful space as eyes feast upon yellow-orange and sage walls crowned with a colorful sombrero purloined from a sunbathing hat rack.