"We know what you’re thinking, and you’re correct – the Chicago Athletic Association is not a restaurant. But hear us out. The revamped hotel houses a great new restaurant, Cherry Circle Room, with an old-school dining room and Mad Men vibes thanks to all the dark wood and whisky. Alone, this could be considered one of the best new restaurants of 2015. But it’s really a package deal with Cindy’s, the hotel’s rooftop bar with beautiful views over Michigan Avenue, Lake Michigan, and Millennium Park. The combination of the two spots is one of the best new things that happened to Chicago in 2015, and if you’re not convinced, there’s a Shake Shack on the ground level for good measure." - sam faye