For a city stuck in the middle of America, Chicago Brings it internationally, food-wise. Old school Greek, polish and Mexican restaurants abound and newer fancy-pants places throw strange and delicious fusion curveballs at you.

AVEC: This Near West Side (near downtown, west of the river, west of the Loop) restaurant plates succulent Mediterranean style dishes like fish piccata or chicken sausage in a neat, unpretentious manner, in portions big enough to share with a cute young lass.  The decor, is Spartan and unfussy as well, but at the same time the place feels warm and inviting. 615 W. Randolph, (312) 377-2002.

MOTO: Upscale Asian cuisine; expect double-digit courses, and a meal that could go on for hours. Chef Cantu's menu changes based on what's the freshest in the market. If you want to knock her socks (and/or undergarments) off, this elegant, creative-Cantu is kind of a magician about the whole dining process is the spot. 945 W. Fulton Market, (312) 491-0058.

LOU MITCHELL'S: After a late night of Secret lounges and high rolling (we'll get to that in a minute), roll on downtown to Lou Mitchell's. Uncle Lou may be partying in the after life, but his spirit lives on in his eggs. 565 W. Jackson Blvd., (312) 939-3111

HOT DOUG'S: Stylistically, this Avondale hot dog hut is no Moto, but the otherworldly French fries cooked in duck fat are pretty creative, and the main reason you've gotta hit this place.  3324 N. California., (773) 279-9550

LULA: This Logan Square joint is vegetarian friendly, so if your lady is meat averse, show some class by taking her here. And Lula's once-a-week "farm" dinner on Monday nights needs to make it on to your calendar, stat. Not to miss: the braised spring lamb with homemade ricotta. 2537 N. Kedzie Blvd., (773) 489-9554

DRINKS

A great cheap drink lurks around every corner. The thing about chicago is that the young people now flock to all the old man bars. It is cool and sad at the same time. The trick is to find one that's not been totally taken over yet, like:

THE J&M TAP: The J&M Tap in Ukranian Village, or as the neighborhood folks call it, "The Secret Squirrel," is an inexpensive yet classy alternative to some of the more-frat-tastic Division Street-area bars overrun by overzealous folks in search of l'amour. Some pints here go for $1.75, and glasses Maker's Mark on Saturdays are $2.50. If you play your cards right, you'll see no one under 55, except saucy hipster gals from the 'hood. 957 N. Leavitt, no phone.

To my mind, Chicago is an unpretentious, art and architecture-forward, ethnic hodge-podge, whose stature has unfairly diminished with the boom of pretend cities like Houston, Denver and, er, um, Vancouver.  The region's decade long embrace of math rock and Jerry Springer didn't do it any favors, either.  But as this is written, the Chicago Cubs were in first place 100 years after their last title but just got swept in the first round of the playoff by my Los Angeles Dodgers, (Whoooooohooooooo!  Think Blue!)  Calatrava threatens topierce the skyline, usurping the Sears Tower by building the nation's tallest skyscraper the Spire; Devin Hester is still a Bear, and finally, there are beautiful young women, who maybe spend a bit too much time honing sketches of their next tattoo, around overy corner.