Le Mistral is the closest most people will get to drinking great Aligoté in a secret cave. But even if you’ve got nothing to hide, it’s a candlelit wine bar just past the kitchen of sister restaurant S.K.Y. that’s worth knowing about. And like its sibling, Le Mistral in Lincoln Park has an impressive wine list. Except here, every bottle is available by the glass (or half glass if you want to try a bunch without risking a hangover). Don’t neglect the short food menu either, with delicious black truffle croquettes that taste like suped-up jalapeño poppers, fluffy cornbread madeleines with red pepper spread, or an excellent burger with a caramelized onion jus dip. Grape geeks can enjoy chatting with the sommelier at the bar, but the few tables are perfect for a date—or tryst.

photo credit: John Ringor