GayleR
Reged: 11/18/02
Posts: 1206
Loc: Toronto, Canada
|
|
Going to Chicago for a deposition and anniversary long weekend later this month (quite the combo huh?). Haven't been in many years. Looking for resto recs from the casual to the high end from all my favorite SBH foodies. Thanks in advance.
P.S. No tapas/small plates please - Michael's always hungry after.
|
Dennis
Reged: 04/05/04
Posts: 3146
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Gayle,
Will you be in the city? Assuming you will, these are all within an easy cab ride/walk:
Pops for Champange: Pre or post dinner. The food is tasty but it's small plates. You go here for the bubbly.
NOMI: If it's a nice evening, go to the rooftop outdoor lounge for a cocktail. Celeb-spotting alert: David Schwimmer this past Saturday night...looking so Ross it was funny.
BOKA: A little away from downtown in our 'hood, Lincoln Park. Ask for Daniel at the bar or Adrian, a waiter. Tell them Dennis and Lisa sent ya.
Spiaggia and Cafe Spiaggia: will knock your socks off. Cafe Spiaggia will just untie your shoes for half the price but with equally great views.
North Pond: Again, in Lincoln Park but an amazing setting and awesome food. Difficult to get a reservation.
Salpicon: Interior of Mexico mexican food with an huge wine list.
Old Town Brasserie: Good French Bistro style.
Shaw's Crab House: (Hubbard location) Walk in, go up the steps and go to the right, to the Oyster Bar side. Sit at the bar and slurp oysters. Excellent for a nice lunch.
David Burke's Primehouse: If you want steak, go here. They sometimes have a 78 day dry-aged ribeye available. They also make a tasty leather-infused Manhattan.
one sixty blue: Modern French. A favorite of mine but, Lisa, not so much. So I don't get to go here anymore. It's great.
Of course there are the top tables in the city:
Charlie Trotter's, Alinea, Tru, Moto, etc. Break the bank expensive for sure. L20 is a new seafood place that just opened up with Laurent Gras as chef. I hear it's out of this world.
Let me know if I can help with anything else and enjoy Chicago!
Edited by Dennis (07/02/08 12:40 PM)
|
Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
|
|
this is clearly Dennis territory but here are three I have enjoyed more than once....
http://www.kamehachi.com/
http://www.heavenonseven.com/
http://www.lawrysonline.com/theprimerib_chicago_gen_info.asp
--------------------
karma is a beautiful thing at times
|
GayleR
Reged: 11/18/02
Posts: 1206
Loc: Toronto, Canada
|
|
Dennis, this is a fabulous list! Thank you so very much for taking the time to put it together and including all the links. I was thinking of L.20 for the anniversary dinner actually.
Gayle
|
GayleR
Reged: 11/18/02
Posts: 1206
Loc: Toronto, Canada
|
|
Oooo, now that I looked at Spiaggia's menu maybe that should be the anniversary dinner! So many choices...
|
Dennis
Reged: 04/05/04
Posts: 3146
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Quote:
Dennis, this is a fabulous list! Thank you so very much for taking the time to put it together and including all the links. I was thinking of L.20 for the anniversary dinner actually.
Gayle
Open this thread and scroll down to the photos. It's my favorite "food porn" site. There are two pages in the thread with more photos on the second page.
|
Mike R
Reged: 05/26/03
Posts: 15729
Loc: Stinson Lake - New Hampshire
|
|
hey Den - what about that place we met for drinks??..hows the food there?
--------------------
karma is a beautiful thing at times
|
Dennis
Reged: 04/05/04
Posts: 3146
Loc: Chicago
|
|
small plates.
Bin 36
|
GayleR
Reged: 11/18/02
Posts: 1206
Loc: Toronto, Canada
|
|
Quote:
Open this thread and scroll down to the photos. It's my favorite "food porn" site. There are two pages in the thread with more photos on the second page.
Thanks, I've been on that site all morning! Mmmmmmm.
Thanks MikeR, but small plates (Michael) and steaks (me) are out.
|
bto
Reged: 04/10/03
Posts: 1437
|
|
Dennis, was Bin 36 all small plates? I don't remember but it was a great spot.
|
Dennis
Reged: 04/05/04
Posts: 3146
Loc: Chicago
|
|
Quote:
Dennis, was Bin 36 all small plates? I don't remember but it was a great spot.
They do have a full-size entree menu. I've only gone there for cheese and assorted small plates...and wine, lot's of wine.
|
Skeeter
Reged: 12/20/06
Posts: 1097
Loc: Chicago, IL
|
|
Speaking from Chicago, and realizing that I take food more seriously than just about anything else --
If price is no object:
1. Alinea. According some the best restaurant in America. It may well be. It is molec. gast. without being annoying or gimicky. We've had two meals there and they may have been the best two meals that I've ever eaten;
2. Charlie Trotter's: Haven't gone to the Chicago location in a few years (I did his LV place a few weeks ago though). The man is a genius. There is more attention to detail here than anywhere else. It is not just that the food tastes good. On top of that, the textures work. The color works. Everything works.
3. Everest: Another favorite. French-influenced. Outstanding.
4. Spiaggia: Shows what amazing things can be done with Italian food. He uses Italian ingredients and techniques and goes far beyond.
5. Topolobampo -- The Rick Bayless place. Outstanding.
The next level (PM me for more detail):
1. Graham Elliott: The former 4 star chef at Avenues has gone casual. Amazing food, but you can show up in jeans. The foie-pop is a classic.
2. Naha
3. NoMi
4. North Pond. Great food in a place set in a park just north of Lincoln Park. I was there for the first time a few weeks ago and was amazed.
Depending on price/food preferences, I'm happy to provide more info.
--------------------
Will Travel For Food (But not to Chicago's suburbs -- we do have limits)
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Windy City Recs?
Edit
Reply
Quote
