Windy City Recs?

[GayleR]

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]

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!

 

[MIke R]

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

 

[GayleR]

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]

Oooo, now that I looked at Spiaggia's menu maybe that should be the anniversary dinner! So many choices...

 

[Dennis]

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]

hey Den - what about that place we met for drinks??..hows the food there?

 

[Dennis]

small plates.

Bin 36

 

[GayleR]

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]

Dennis, was Bin 36 all small plates? I don't remember but it was a great spot.

 

[Dennis]

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]

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.

 

[Skeeter]

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

Of those: Kamahachi is pretty good sushi and the Ontario Street location is convenient.
I would AVOID Lawry's (partly because their valets almost ran over my wife and partly because it has seen better days generally)
If you are looking for steaks, try Chop House or Keefer's. For a "meat-centered" meal at a place that is not a steak house, try Custom House. The owner also runs Spring and has won James Beard awards.

 

[Skeeter]

small plates.

Bin 36

Bin 36 actually has a very good wine bar. I actually prefer that to Pop's, since Bin 36 is more comfortable and because the staff generally knows more about wine.

 

[MIke R]

shame about Lawrys.....I had excellent Prime Rib in that one and the one in Vegas albeit a few years ago

 

[Dennis]

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.

Skeeter...when you get back, me and you and the wives we were lucky enough to marry go here for dinner.

Deal?

GEB is a genius.

 

[Skeeter]

shame about Lawrys.....I had excellent Prime Rib in that one and the one in Vegas albeit a few years ago

That's how I feel too. I was there about 10 years ago today, to celebrate my father's birthday (I remember only because of the coincidence that his birthday is a few days before my wife and I were married, and my now-wife showed up very late for dinner. The tailor doing alterations on her dress had screwed some stuff up, so she had just taken it someplace else to fix). Back then, it was very good.
Now Lawry's tends to make news because fumes spill from the kitchen into the dining room, causing the City to shut the place down (a few years ago) and because going in there, you really get the idea that they just don't care.
It is too bad, because it was a nice place.
And then there was the valet incident, but that's another matter.

 

[GayleR]

Thanks all...We've booked the following:
Cafe Spiaggia
onesixty blue
NAHA

We've been to Charlie Trotters, Everest, Topolobampo and Frontera Grill in previous years. I wanted to try L20 but couldn't deal with a four hour $600 dinner.

I am not a meat eater so steaks are out. I was considering GE but the reviews are very, very mixed, mostly bad so I thought I'd pass.

We'll do drinks at Pops, or Nomi. Anyone know about The Violet Hour?

Thinking about brunch at Sepia.

So many places, so little time.

 

[Skeeter]

One thing to keep in mind about One Sixty Blue: Although the food ie excellent, the location is not that convenient. It is on the far edge of the Randolph Street area. Another thing -- the area immediately around there is OK, but it is not an area to walk around. It is not necesarily dangerous, but it borders some pretty rough areas. Still, the food, wine and service are all excellent and worth the trip.

Cafe Spiaggia and Naha are both excellent choices. Cafe Spiaggia has a few great tables set by the windows that provide excellent views of Oak Street Beach. They are sort of set into the windows, so they almost provide some seclusion. It is worth waiting a bit for one of those tables. Naha will always be special to me because on New Year's Eve (2006-2007), when my wife was on bed rest due to pregnancy complications, they put together an incredible meal for carry out. We ate well that night. We've been there many times, and have never been disappointed.

NoMi is also a great choice, either for dinner or for drinks on the terrace.

The only thing that I am second-guessing on your list is Pops. Let me toss out a few better options. Bin 36, which I mentioned earlier. Depending on the season, there are two outside choices. Wave, at the W Lakeshore (Ontario and Lakeshore Drive) has some great lake views with tables outside. It is a hotel bar that does not feel like a hotel bar. It is a dog-friendly neighborhood place. Good drinks, a decent wine list, decent service, and great views. Another place for more of a Chicago experience is Lizzy McNeil's (I may be off on the spelling) at McClurg and the River. It is an Irish bar/pub with tables overlooking the river. Again, a good relaxed scene. It is nice to walk up the riverfront there before or after having drinks. I've also heard that there is new outdoor bar at the hotel immediately adjacent to Nordstrom's (Michigan Ave.). I haven't been there yet, but I've heard some great things.

With regard to Sepia -- I had a great dinner there, but haven't been there for brunch. If you want to splurge on a great breakfast, do NoMi. The east-facing windows provide great early morning views, and the food is wonderful. More of a conventional breakfast than a brunch, but still worth the effort. For breakfast on our anniversary or my wife's birthday, we go to either NoMi or Four Seasons.

 

[Dennis]

Anyone know about The Violet Hour?

Been there, done that. Find the door (no signage). Cell phones off. See if you pass muster from the door guy.

Inside, it's dark and cozy. If you really like well made craft cocktails, this place rocks. (They have 7 different types of ice, fercrissakes) If you're just looking for a glass of wine and/or bourbon on the rocks, skip it. A bit of a cab ride...in Bucktown/Wicker Park. If you're going to head that way, stop for dessert at Hot Chocolate.


Do not, I repeat, do not ask for a cosmo or a Miller Lite.