Pearl, Rockford

Pearls are synonymous with beauty and luxury, so it's fitting that Pearl is such a pleasure to look at. A granite oval bar sits at the center of the 150-seat bistro, and high- and low-top granite tables orbit around the rest of the 6,400-square-foot space. Natural light pours in through floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the main dining area a light and airy personality that explains why so many other restaurants asked it to the prom.

Against this gorgeous framework, guests gather for lunch, dinner, and late-night cocktails. Many of them visit for Pearl's renowned Tuscan-style pizzas, which are cooked inside the belly of a large brick oven. The menu's main courses are a bit more formal. They include fresh diver scallops wrapped in prosciutto and grilled filet mignon. Cocktails provide a splendid counterpart to such classy feasts, as do bottles of wine plucked from Pearl's enclosed wine room.