Erie Cafe, Chicago

Seated beneath ski-chalet chandeliers and surrounded by nearly floor-to-ceiling hardwood, diners at family-owned Erie Cafe carve into thick cuts of prime aged beef. Inside the former packing plant that Metromix calls a "classic, clubby neighborhood eatery," chefs sizzle up a menu of steakhouse classics, such as bone-in rib eye and veal chops, alongside aquatic options that include Australian lobster tail and linguini mussels marinara. Guests also enjoy varietals from a staggering wine list, sipping their drinks next to the roaring fireplace, and sharing them with the gargantuan elk head mounted on the wall. A private banquet room can hold anywhere from 20 to 200 guests, and includes a bar, dance floor, and wood-burning fireplace. The restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week and serves lunch Monday through Friday. Guests can take advantage of free valet parking, and during the summer months, Erie Cafe also offers riverside outdoor dining.