Nine   

Patrons don't walk into Nine. Instead, everyone seems to sashay or strut inside the sleek restaurant-lounge in the West Loop. Located at the beginning of the slick strip known as Randolph Street Restaurant Row (also home to Blackbird, Marche and Vivo), Nine is named for the age at which owners Michael Kornick, Michael Morton and Scott DeGraff met. The bright lights, catwalk-like platforms and groovy music can easily make first-timers feel like they're on display. But the upscale menu, which includes American classics like seafood and steak, immediately puts them at ease. Popular starters include the caviar cones (filled with tuna tartare, boiled eggs and lobster), lobster bisque and shrimp poppers. Entrees include the lobster risotto, Chilean sea bass and Porterhouse steak. The main dining room, which seats 100, also features the oval-shaped Caviar Bar, where diners can order from a specialized menu of rare caviars. A rear private dining area, which seats up to 60, is enclosed behind soundproof glass. Didn't get reservations? Guests can also dine in the bar area, which includes two lounge areas and a flat-screen television. This area serves as a popular after-work meeting spot for local singles and businessmen. And at nighttime, Thursday through Friday, they head upstairs to the Ghost Bar, a glow-in-the-dark den with two specialty cocktails: The Ghost (Midori and champagne) and The Ghostini (vodka, Midori and a ghoulish swizzle stick). DJs spin popular dance music.