Sam & Harry’s

Located in Schaumburg’s Renaissance Hotel, this modern steakhouse’s dining room is rimmed with stylish booths strewn with pillows in somewhat zany shapes, making lounging easy but dining difficult; opt for a regular table. Steak is the star of the show—the silky tenderloin and full-flavored strip stand out—but there’s also “jet fresh” seafood, including lush lump crab cakes. Order fish and you’ll spend dinner looking longingly at other people’s meals; the preps are a bit basic. Save room for the smooth panna cotta or sorbets that burst with fresh flavor. Most steaks are $35 and up, but a wide-ranging wine list helps one swallow food prices.