Nacional 27, Chicago

Brought to you by the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant chain, Nacional 27 serves up spicy, Latin American cuisine. More specifically, the menu is "Nuevo Latino," with recipes collected together to represent 27 Central and South American countries. The dining area is spacious and dimly lit, though sunlight flows in through the draperies lending a diffused glow. The curtains and pillars throughout the room lend an air of relaxed opulence. Meat and chicken dishes are among the most expensive, and the tastiest. Try the ropa vieja which is braised and shredded beef short ribs, corn studded mashed sweet potatoes and spicy crispy onions. Or try the Argentinian spicy rubbed rib eye, served with spicy sweet potatoes, tomato red wine sauce and avocado hearts of palm salsa.