RIVER NORTH. This elegant restaurant specializes in Northern Indian cuisine and is known for its tandoori cooking. Clay ovens powered by mesquite wood cook not only breads but fish, chicken, and lamb to perfection. The unobtrusive, attentive staff and tasteful interior create an upscale dining experience. A lunch buffet adds value, and curries are also an earthy, delicious treat.

RIVER NORTH. Locals love that this neighborhood Indian establishment delivers oversized portions and hosts a tasty lunch buffet. An elegant dining room, accented by subdued lighting and a dramatic color scheme, adds a touch of class to the proceedings. Try mainstays like tandoori chicken, fish curry, and freshly baked naan. If you're feeling adventurous, choose something unusual from the menu's 145 items. Several traditional desserts, as well as a decent selection of beers and wines, are additional enticements.

STREETERVILLE. A wise and inexpensive lunch option, Streeterville's India Garden features a spicy repertoire of chicken, lamb, fish, and seafood dishes. House specialties include reshmi kebab (prepared in the tandoor oven) and fish goa curry served with basmati rice. Popular with the business crowd is the lunch buffet, which offers a diverse sampling of North Indian favorites. Vegetarian options are also available.

LINCOLN PARK. Dishes from the tandoor ­ marinated in spicy yogurt, then quickly grilled and roasted ­ are the main attraction at Indian Grill. The Lincoln Park mainstay not only delights with tandoori feasts but offers other traditional plates as well: chickpeas and potatoes, chicken korma with cashews and cream, and fiery lamb vindaloo. The weekend brings a reasonably priced lunch buffet with a host of favorites. For dessert, mango ice cream is highly recommended. Go on a Friday or Saturday to catch live sitar music.

RIVER NORTH. This upscale Indian restaurant features tandoori (clay oven) and Karahi (Indian wok) items prepared with only the freshest ingredients. Tandoori murg, a half-chicken marinated in yogurt and spices, is the house specialty. In addition to meat and poultry, numerous vegetarian options are available. Curry, of course, is omnipresent. The subdued interior ­ gauze drapery partitions, Indian art, light woods, and fine linens ­ offers a wonderful setting in which to dine.