You. Her. These Restaurants. Go.

Because every Chicagoan loves to eat, even more then they love a run-off election, we bring you Table Stakes: a series that answers man’s eternally recurring question (“Uh, what’s new?”), and recurs once every lunar cycle or so. Bon appétit.

Dining in March felt a bit celebratory.

Like winter was on its way out, spring on its way in.

And we saluted the climbing temps with clinks of glasses and sips of gaiety.

Like, really. A lot of clinks. A lot of gaiety.

And we did it here, at the only five openings you need to concern yourself with.

Inside:

• A classy California-inspired cocktail parlor on the edge of Wicker Park
• Delicious American comforts from your new Downtown go-to
• The return of an old standby in Lincoln Park

And more.

All very high on the must-do list. All very worthy of your next date night.

So dine on and drink well, fellas.

Reservations aren’t necessary, but they certainly wouldn’t hurt.

Enjoy the guide.