Reza's

Reza's doesn't look like the typical Middle Eastern restaurant. Housed in a former microbrewery, it has high ceilings and expansive, loftlike dining rooms. The Persian-inspired menu will soon make you forget all about beer. Specialties include a deliciously rich chicken in pomegranate sauce and a variety of kabobs with heaps of dill rice (although, in a nod to carb-conscious diners, they'll substitute a salad if you want). Despite the menu's meat-heavy emphasis, there's a selection of vegetarian plates, too. If you can't decide what to order, go for an appetizer combo: a generous sampler of Middle Eastern dishes including hummus, stuffed grape leaves, tabbouleh, and other standbys, nicely presented in a red-lacquer bento box. Reza's has another location in Andersonville, at 5255 N. Clark St. (tel. 773/561-1898), but the River North spot is the most convenient for visitors staying downtown.

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