Even in the dead of a Chicago winter, chef Carol Wallack and her crew imbue Sola Restaurant with the warmth of the Hawaiian islands. In the kitchen, Carol relies on locally sourced, sustainable ingredients to craft Hawaiian-inspired fare, balancing sweet and spicy flavors in dishes such as poke, a raw fish salad. Her passion for the Pacific sun and surf continues into the dining room, where a sandy color scheme and soft, lantern-like lighting evoke an evening spent stranded on a deserted island. Each month brings special announcements, such as a celebrated ingredient on which Wallack places special emphasis. The wine and beer lists also continually evolve along with the menu. These efforts have earned Sola Restaurant plentiful press and awards, such as Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence 2010.

Read Chef Carol Wallack's recommendations for healthy eating in Chicago on Groupon Guide.