You can’t get much more centrally located than the Atwood Café, which sits in the heart of the action of Chicago’s Loop and provides floor-to-ceiling views of bustling State Street. And you can’t get much more comfortable than the food on the Atwood Café’s menu, which presents new takes on classic American standbys. Chef Heather Terhune prepares dishes like a huge Comport Family Farm pork chop served with vanilla-honey peach jam, and a tender grilled filet mignon with truffle butter and port wine sauce. She also wins plaudits for her dessert menu, which includes perfectly made classics such as scrumptious dark-chocolate soufflé cake and warm roasted banana and white chocolate bread pudding. The expansive bar serves as an ideal place for a drink before heading to the nearby Theatre District (we told you it was centrally located) for a show.

Atwood Cafe Information:

• Contemporary American menu. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, Sunday brunch.