Dining Out >> A look back at the Top Restaurants of 2008.

Today, the Tribune highlights the Top 10 restaurants that were visited by our reviewers in 2008.

It was easy to pick 10 of our favorite restaurants of the year. Each excels at providing diners with well-executed food and professional service.

The bitter cold has a way of painfully amplifying things. It's around this time of year when your tummy doesn't merely grumble, it thunders. Tin Angel Cafe is the antidote. The Dining area is cozy and -- especially when it's full -- warm in temperature and color as the walls are slathered in various saturated hues.  The service is straightforward and amiable in a genuine way. And the food is unfussy with a bit of flair. the owners strive to use as much as they can of local, organic and seasonal goods from neighborhood purveyors. Never outrageously protioned, it's still generous and belly-filling for the lower temperatures.  Admittedly, Jerry Liedtke's menu sits on the pricier side, but considering the efforts he and sous chef, Casey Schulte go to for ingredients, I can reconcile the numbers. Who am I to argue with a local restaurant using goods from other local businesses?  Notable dishes >> Harissa-glazed pork with persimmon chutney ($24). Gorgonzola, poached pears and candied almonds salad ($8), bread pudding of the day ($6), Gorgonzola gnocchi appetizer ($8).

Top 10 Restaurants:

Tin Angel Cafe

Chanon Thai Cafe

Fresco Italian Cafe

Julia's

Left Fork Grill

Pho Green Papaya

Pizzeria 712 

Red Iguana

Rusted Sun Pizzeria

Takashi