Anthelme Brillat-Savarin was a brilliant man. That was my first thought upon being seated at the Atwood Cafe one sunny, Sunday afternoon in downtown Chicago, and glancing at their menu. One of his many famous, culinary quotes stared up at me and brought a wry smile to my face. "A meal without wine, is like a day without sunshine." Maybe we're related somehow but instantly I was at ease with our selection in Atwood. Located in the heart of the Loop, the Atwood is somewhat intimidating - the beautifully-ornate, speck-free hotel lobby with impeccably dressed concierge and doorman side does tend to throw you a bit - but the menu is anything but. American comfort food done incredibly well inside one of the most colorful and vibrant settings in the city coupled with an extensive drinks menu and friendly staff made this an absolute delight. You want to sit here all day and watch the world go by and you easily could.

Cru, a self proclaimed “urban destination to experience and explore the fascinating world of wine” features several locations in Dallas and definitely lives up to the description. Our pick is at the Shops at Legacy in Plano, which has outdoor seating that seamlessly transitions from open air to the indoor seating areas and features both intimate and group-oriented seating. Cru offers 40 different wines by the glass and they are also served in flights of three glasses each including five red flights, five white flights, and a selection of bubbly flights. The menu includes a creative selection of sharing plates, stone grilled pizza, and cheese flights as appetizers. Try the Shrimp and Chicken Pot Stickers, sprinkled with crispy wontons, fresh sugar snap peas and lightly drizzled with a very tasty black soy sauce. The fresh, large Pan Seared Diver Sea Scallops entrée was served with a well-textured fresh spinach risotto. The delicate Roasted Sea Bass was expertly prepared with a light lemon basil sauce; served with fava beans and baby vegetables. For dessert, don’t miss out on the Volcano Chocolate Cake with Cinnamon Cream that is quite smooth and adds a nice contrast to the chocolate cake. Great food, great wine, great time.