Jerry's Restaurant in Winnetka has brightened the North Shore dining scene since its opening earlier in the year.

When it comes to "meat markets" some are a cut above the rest, and Texas de Brazil, the latest churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) to open around these parts, appears to be on a mission to stomp the competition.

I am at the Mana Food Bar, a Lilliputian-size eating place on West Division Street in trendy Wicker Park. Mana Food Bar is a vegetarian restaurant, but it's not in-your-face vegetarian (a tag at the bottom of the menu reads "add tofu to any small dish for $1 and large dish for $2.").

If a restaurant comes off as being too elitist, will it drive customers away? Is there such a thing as a jinxed restaurant location? Jacky Pluton, the owner of Haussmann Brasserie in Northfield, might be working on those two strikes.

Bank Lane Bistro is only 10 years old, but it's steeped in history. Housed in a turn-of-the-century structure in downtown Lake Forest overlooking Market Square, this small, contemporary American bistro was added, along with Bank Lane Bakery, to the east side of the landmark building in 1998.

Families looking for a unique dining experience might want to check out the cuisine at a special family dinner Sunday at Webster's Wine Bar on the North Side.

Morton's the Steakhouse, 1751 Freedom Drive, Naperville; (630) 577-1372. A steakhouse that was born in Chicago and has spread worldwide. Airy, open dining rooms with tables nicely spaced. A fine place for a celebration (birthday, anniversary) if your budget allows. Try the colossal shrimp Alexander, prime rib, surf and turf, Alaskan king crab legs, carrot cake and upside-down apple pie. (Reviewed Aug. 15)

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. R.J. and Jerrod Melman, sons of head Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises guy Richard Melman, are doing their own thing at a smart new restaurant called Hub 51.

It all began some 30 years ago in what was unused below-street-level space on North State Street. I have often wondered if the entrepreneurs -- Arnie Morton and Klaus Fritsch, who started this whole deal -- could have imagined that one day their basement steakhouse would evolve into a major chain with some 80 locations worldwide.

Hodgkins, a tiny Cook County village west of Chicago, isn't widely known as a restaurant town. But the opening last December of Salerno-Pincente Ristorante has given the area a new drawing card -- two, in fact, when you count the Trackside, a sports bar under the same roof and Illinois' newest off-track betting (OTB) operation.

Got tickets to a Bears game? Then let Finley Mahony's, 3701 N. Broadway, take you to and from Soldier Field. The cost is $50 per person and includes drinks and buffet before the game, and, for that long shuttle to the lakefront, beer on the bus. You'll also get transportation back to Finley Mahony's after the game. Seats on the "Bears Bus" must be reserved two days in advance by calling (773) 549-0226.

Trattoria 225, 225 Harrison, Oak Park; (708) 358-8555. Owners Craig and Liz Charlton have fashioned an interesting menu that has everything from Mediterranean olives to a Kobe beef burger. In between, you will find grilled octopus, salads, some pasta dishes and several "main course" choices (one each fish, steak, lamb, chicken), plus daily specials. But what this restaurant is mostly about is its wood-fired pizzas and a casual good time in a roomy warehouse/loft atmosphere. Try the grilled Caesar, sausage pizza, white clam pizza, orecchiette with sausage and apple crostada. (Reviewed Aug. 8)