"Like a secret password, saying “duck dinner” to your server at this Chinese restaurant in Uptown will unlock one of the best birthday meals in Chicago. Sun Wah is a barbecue spot that specializes in Peking duck, which is actually an off-menu item. It’s carved tableside and served first with bao, then as a rice or noodle dish, and finally as a soup. This large two-story restaurant is always busy, but it’s usually easy to make a reservation, or just walk in with a group." - adrian kane, veda kilaru, nick allen, john ringor