In-the-know Chicagoans didn’t need proof that NAHA, the creation of cousins Carrie and Michael Nahabedian, offers excellent contemporary cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. But that validation came anyway in the form of a 2008 James Beard Foundation Award. Carrie’s meals are served in an elegant, tranquil setting and emphasize locally grown, organic fare such as wood-grilled rib eye with braised red shallots in an oxtail red-wine sauce, and honey-lacquered aged moulard duck breast with apricots and turnips. But not everything is such highbrow fare: The Angus hamburger served on a sea-salt crusted ciabatta bun with cured tomatoes wins raves as well, elevating the simple hamburger above its typical reputation. You have to get it for lunch, though. Otherwise, you’re stuck ordering from the fantastic dinner menu.

NAHA Information:

• Contemporary American menu. Lunch (Monday-Friday), dinner. Closed Sunday.