Restaurants have played a prominent part in the social lives of people in Chicago since its beginnings.http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1066.html The Midwest city is known for its steakhouses.http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1066.html In the 1880s, a line of restaurants called Cheap Eats opened in the city.http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1066.html Eventually, restaurants that catered to high-class clientele started to open.http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1066.html Today, Chicago has health food restaurants along with their steakhouses.http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1066.html

According to the American Heart Association, there are several things to consider when evaluating a healthy restaurant menu.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/DiningOut/Tips-by-Cuisine_UCM_308333_Article.jsp A consumer should look for meals low in cholesterol, saturated fasts and trans fats.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/DiningOut/Tips-by-Cuisine_UCM_308333_Article.jsp They also state that a person can request that salt not be used or that food is cooked in low fat oil alternatives.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/DiningOut/Tips-by-Cuisine_UCM_308333_Article.jsp Also, calories can be saved by only eating a small portion of the meal.http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/DiningOut/Tips-by-Cuisine_UCM_308333_Article.jsp

Green Zebra is a vegetarian restaurant, owned by Shawn McClain (who is also the chef).http://www.greenzebrachicago.com/about.html They state that they want to bring back the old social concepts of dining.http://www.greenzebrachicago.com/philosophy.html Their philosophy states that their restaurant is designed to be a sensuous experience for the senses.http://www.greenzebrachicago.com/philosophy.html

The restaurant is located at 1460 West Chicago.http://www.opentable.com/green-zebra-reservations-chicago?rid=3180&restref=3180 The prices range from $31 to $50.http://www.opentable.com/green-zebra-reservations-chicago?rid=3180&restref=3180 Customers can make reservations on the company's website.http://www.opentable.com/green-zebra-reservations-chicago?rid=3180&restref=3180

Menu Samples:

• Antipasto, roasted tomato, confit artichoke, spring onion, baba ghanoushhttp://www.greenzebrachicago.com/menu.html
• Crispy Chickpea, parsley, tzatziki, Werp Farm Radisheshttp://www.greenzebrachicago.com/menu.html
• Pain Perdu, grilled asparagus, melted leeks, saffron beurre blanchttp://www.greenzebrachicago.com/menu.html
• Carrot Cakehttp://www.greenzebrachicago.com/menu.html
• White Chocolate Semi-freddo, cherry, funnel cake, gingerhttp://www.greenzebrachicago.com/menu.html

Bistro Campagne is styled after traditional French bistros.http://www.bistrocampagne.com/about/ The design mixes Paris, Gallic and prairie styles.http://www.bistrocampagne.com/about/ Campagne is owned by Executive Chef Michael Altenberg.http://www.bistrocampagne.com/about/our-chefs/ He opened the restaurant in 2002 at 4518 North Lincoln Avenue.http://www.bistrocampagne.com/about/our-chefs/ The restaurant specializes in dishes created with organic foods.http://www.bistrocampagne.com/about/our-chefs/

Bistro Campagne's price range is from $31 to $50.http://www.opentable.com/bistro-campagne-reservations-chicago?rid=7470&restref=7470 Reservations can be made online through OpenTable.http://www.bistrocampagne.com/contact/ Also, they can be made by calling Campagne directly.http://www.bistrocampagne.com/contact/

Menu Samples:

• Escargots au Beurre d'Ail (snails in garlic-Pernid butter) http://www.bistrocampagne.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/march-2009-menu.pdf
• Gigot d'Agneau (lamb leg chop with flageolet beans)http://www.bistrocampagne.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/march-2009-menu.pdf
• Profiteroles (pastry shells with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce)http://bistrocampagne.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/dessert.pdf
• Crème Brûlée(chilled vanilla custard with caramelized top)http://bistrocampagne.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/dessert.pdf

Karyn's has two different restaurants. Karyn's Fresh Corner serves raw food dishes and has a juice bar.http://www.karynraw.com/Raw-Cafe/ It is located at 1901 North Halsted Street.http://www.karynraw.com/Raw-Cafe/ Karyn's Cooked, located at 738 North Wells Street, features gourmet cooked meals.http://www.karynraw.com/Cooked/ Entrees at Karyn's Cooked cost between $11 and $14.http://www.karynraw.com/Cooked/ Both restaurants only serve vegan menus.http://www.karynraw.com/

Karyn's was founded by holistic health leader Karyn Calabrese.http://www.karynraw.com/ Along with the restaurants, Calabrese owns a holistic day spa and a health food home delivery service that costs $175 a week.http://www.karynraw.com/Inner-Beauty-Center/http://www.karynraw.com/At-Home/

Menu Samples:

• Grilled tofu/seitan steak fajitas with peppers and onions, served with corn tortillashttp://www.karynraw.com/Lunch-Dinner-menu/
• Buddha Bowl (brown rice with grilled veggies in teriyaki sauce)http://www.karynraw.com/Lunch-Dinner-menu/
• Soy ice creamhttp://www.karynraw.com/Lunch-Dinner-menu/
• Swedish Crepe (sea vegetable cream cheese enveloped in a savory crepe shell)http://www.karynraw.com/Gourmet-Menu/