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Started By
Message
Need Chicago dining recommendations
Posted on 8/24/09 at 8:28 am
Posted on 8/24/09 at 8:28 am
Will be there in late Oct and staying in the Magnificent Mile area about 1 block from Chicago River.
Thanks, in advance
I'll hang up now and listen.
Thanks, in advance
I'll hang up now and listen.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 12:33 pm to SouGent
do a search on here and you will find a wealth of "knowledge" expressed then try zagat.com and taste of chicago .To many to detail, one of my favorite eat/drink cities.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 1:44 pm to SouGent
For a quick bite for lunch - try the Italian Beef Sandwhich at Portillo's - its delicious - $5.50 and you will be stuffed - the french bread is really good esp. considering your not in New Orleans and its meaty and the meat is very juicy.
For steak - we went to Chicago Chophouse - the entire meal was excellent.
For steak - we went to Chicago Chophouse - the entire meal was excellent.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 5:06 pm to SouGent
what do you enjoy in terms of cuisine, atmosphere, style? and what price range?
This post was edited on 8/24/09 at 5:07 pm
Posted on 8/24/09 at 5:10 pm to keakdasneak
quote:
keakdasneak
Have you been to David Burke's Prime? It looks incredible.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 5:24 pm to glassman
Nah, I'm not big on steakhouses. Especially if they are in the James Hotel. Not knocking it, but just not my style and I don't think very reflective of the best that Chicago has to offer.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 5:33 pm to SouGent
Posted on 8/24/09 at 5:33 pm to keakdasneak
quote:
Nah, I'm not big on steakhouses. Especially if they are in the James Hotel. Not knocking it, but just not my style and I don't think very reflective of the best that Chicago has to offer.
Thanks. Honesty is severely lacking on TD.com for the most part. How about Frontera Grill or Bayless' other place that I refuse to attempt to spell.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 5:38 pm to glassman
Topolobampo. Absolutely. I think Rick Bayless is a shining example of the best that Chicago has to offer. Chefs that love the food that they are cooking and put that passion on the table and in their dining room. Bayless is thought very highly of amongst the chef community, but also amongst the Mexican community as he has truly taken the time to immerse himself in the food and the culture. And he gives back to the community through various charities, etc. I'm not sure the exact details, but I've heard that every year he closes the restaurants for 2 weeks and takes the staff to Mexico so that they can learn firsthand about the ingredients they're using, etc. That's the kind of approach to food that i love.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 5:42 pm to glassman
Yeah, I'm definitely not saying don't try Primehouse. I'm sure the steak there is amazing. I'm just not a fan of pretentiousness for pretentiousness sake and think that you can get good steak for much less. I always like to recommend Tango Sur. It's a BYOB (great thing about chicago) Argentinian steakhouse. You're not getting beef aged in house, but you'll get a very good steak for half the price in much more fun environment. Again, that's just my opinion catered to my taste.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 5:43 pm to keakdasneak
quote:
Topolobampo.
That's it. I would love to eat at either of his establishments. When passion and drive are combined it truly makes a great chef. Thanks.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 6:46 pm to glassman
quote:
I would love to eat at either of his establishments
I can't wait to eat at Rick's restaurants...When I hit Chicago again next summer I'm going to hit frontera grill, topla.., gibsons, and giordano's for sure.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 6:53 pm to DaBeerz
I wouldn't go to both if i were you. Diversify. Also I don't get the Giordano's thing. It's pizza.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 7:02 pm to DaBeerz
quote:
gibsons,
try either Chophouse or even Mortons....IMO better than Gibsons
Posted on 8/24/09 at 7:12 pm to ChicagoTiger
been to morton's chicago it was great
Posted on 8/24/09 at 7:30 pm to DaBeerz
quote:
pizza at Giordano's rocked!
I agree, worth the trip
Posted on 8/24/09 at 9:51 pm to LSU Tammany Tiger
I wanted to get back to this thread with some recommendations instead of just poopooing others suggestions. Let me preface that I'm giving these recommendations from my taste/perspective. Which is probably pretty different than alot of the people that populate this board. But I love food so it can't be that different.
Let me say that Chicago is pretty much known worldwide for what's going on in it's restaurant scene right now. So many amazing chefs are in this city. I'd say after living in New York for most of my adult life and then moving here, that I'd rather eat in Chicago. New York is better in that it has more top notch restaurants but who wants to spend 200 bucks for every meal when you're on a trip. If you can, more power to you. What Chicago excels at is amazing food/chefs at the midrange priced restaurants.
The second major thing I would say about Chicago is LEAVE THE LOOP. I know all the hotels are there and a lot of great things to see and do, but Chicago's life is in its smaller neighborhoods and so are its restaurants. LEAVE THE LOOP. Not so say there aren't some great restaurants in the loop. Also don't feel the need to go to a place because that's what guide books say you need to do in Chicago.
And in my first suggestion I will contradict my last statement.
HOT DOUG'S. Hands down, the absolute can't-miss place you have to go. Yes it's hot dogs. But they're unlike any hot dog you've ever had or will ever have again. Having said that, you do have to get there early and stand in line for a very long time. Some times it can be a couple of hours. So if you are on a short weekend trip, it may not be the best use of your time.
Next. Fancy shmancy top price restaurants. If you have the money, you pretty much have to do ALINEA. Considered one of the best chefs in the world, Grant Achatz is one of the leaders of the molecular gastronomy movement. If you're a meat and potatoes kind of guy/gal, avoid at all costs. But if you are up for different experiences and thinking of food in a different way than this is quite an experience.
L20. Only been open about a year but considered one of the best new restaurants in the United States. Laurent Gras is considered a master of seafood.
If you're interested in the molecular gastronomy MATO or SCHWA would be good choices as well though Schwa is almost impossible to get in.
I would go to one of Paul Kahan's restaurants: AVEC, BLACKBIRD, or PUBLICAN. I really like this guy's approach to food (farm to table/tail to snout) especially his love of pork. Personally I'd go with Publican. It's the newest and the cheapest but I think the best. Disclaimer: communal seating, as I know some people hate that. Though i'm a big fan. Publican is a beer, oyster, pork place but done by a chef that knows how to do high level fine dining as well. And it's in a cool neighborhood that you'd probably never go to otherwise.
Another place that I like that is similar to Publican is THE BRISTOL. They are farm to table as well and do sharing plates. That's in a neighborhood called Bucktown. There's also another great place near in the same hood called TAKASHI.
Disclaimer, I have a business relationship with the owners of this place, but BOKA is probably my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Fine dining but comfortable. The chef here won a James Beard award for best new chef.
I could go on and on and on. So if you have something more specific in mind, I'm sure I can think of something.
Let me say that Chicago is pretty much known worldwide for what's going on in it's restaurant scene right now. So many amazing chefs are in this city. I'd say after living in New York for most of my adult life and then moving here, that I'd rather eat in Chicago. New York is better in that it has more top notch restaurants but who wants to spend 200 bucks for every meal when you're on a trip. If you can, more power to you. What Chicago excels at is amazing food/chefs at the midrange priced restaurants.
The second major thing I would say about Chicago is LEAVE THE LOOP. I know all the hotels are there and a lot of great things to see and do, but Chicago's life is in its smaller neighborhoods and so are its restaurants. LEAVE THE LOOP. Not so say there aren't some great restaurants in the loop. Also don't feel the need to go to a place because that's what guide books say you need to do in Chicago.
And in my first suggestion I will contradict my last statement.
HOT DOUG'S. Hands down, the absolute can't-miss place you have to go. Yes it's hot dogs. But they're unlike any hot dog you've ever had or will ever have again. Having said that, you do have to get there early and stand in line for a very long time. Some times it can be a couple of hours. So if you are on a short weekend trip, it may not be the best use of your time.
Next. Fancy shmancy top price restaurants. If you have the money, you pretty much have to do ALINEA. Considered one of the best chefs in the world, Grant Achatz is one of the leaders of the molecular gastronomy movement. If you're a meat and potatoes kind of guy/gal, avoid at all costs. But if you are up for different experiences and thinking of food in a different way than this is quite an experience.
L20. Only been open about a year but considered one of the best new restaurants in the United States. Laurent Gras is considered a master of seafood.
If you're interested in the molecular gastronomy MATO or SCHWA would be good choices as well though Schwa is almost impossible to get in.
I would go to one of Paul Kahan's restaurants: AVEC, BLACKBIRD, or PUBLICAN. I really like this guy's approach to food (farm to table/tail to snout) especially his love of pork. Personally I'd go with Publican. It's the newest and the cheapest but I think the best. Disclaimer: communal seating, as I know some people hate that. Though i'm a big fan. Publican is a beer, oyster, pork place but done by a chef that knows how to do high level fine dining as well. And it's in a cool neighborhood that you'd probably never go to otherwise.
Another place that I like that is similar to Publican is THE BRISTOL. They are farm to table as well and do sharing plates. That's in a neighborhood called Bucktown. There's also another great place near in the same hood called TAKASHI.
Disclaimer, I have a business relationship with the owners of this place, but BOKA is probably my favorite restaurant in Chicago. Fine dining but comfortable. The chef here won a James Beard award for best new chef.
I could go on and on and on. So if you have something more specific in mind, I'm sure I can think of something.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 10:31 pm to keakdasneak
quote:
keakdasneak
Awesome. Thanks. This has been saved.
Posted on 8/24/09 at 11:51 pm to glassman
Of just thought of something else. if you really like dessert, give Hot Chocolate a try. The pastry chef owns the restaurant and the desserts are the focus point, but the food menu holds up as well.
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