Hotest restaurants that are worth the hype?

[Cstanle]

What are some of chicago's hottest restaurants that are actually worth the hype. Doesnt have to be expensive, I welcome all price ranges.

thanks
C

[nsxtasy]

Based on what I've read, the ones with a lot of buzz which is consistently positive are Old Town Brasserie, Mercat a la Planxa (just opened a few days ago), Takashi, Schwa (newly-resurrected), Table 52 (if you can get a reservation - if this is the biggest reflection of heat/hotness, this is the hottest), and Powerhouse.

However, we also have restaurants that have been around for at least a few years, so they don't get a lot of buzz, but are as good as ever and at least as good as the previous group. Such places include one sixtyblue, Blackbird, and North Pond which are mid-priced, and at the high end, Alinea, Avenues, Charlie Trotter's, moto, Everest, etc.