Fountainhead, Chicago

Aaron Zacharias began his career in foodservice at the age of 15, working his way up from bus boy to bartender to wine seller, and ultimately, to restauranteur. At Fountainhead, his second venture since opening The Bar on Buena in 2003, Aaron teams up with certified Cicerone beer guide Phil Kuhl to curate a collection of delicious brews, whiskies, and wines. The duo constructs and reconstructs their menu around the beverages on hand, ensuring delicious pairings for small plates such as crab and polenta, which mingle flavors with 21 craft beers on tap and a wine list featuring varietals from all over the world. Scottish whiskies form their own course between appetizers and entrées such as the pork sausage ragout. Inside the dining room, gentle lighting illuminates handcrafted mahogany woodwork and an asymmetrical bar cuts the space into two intimate rooms, one of which features a crackling fireplace. When the weather warms, the restaurant's rooftop garden opens to reveal a landscaped terrace accompanied by a truncated menu of drinks available on the rooftop taps.