Chicago dining

[Jodi]

I'll be going to Chicago in a couple weeks to take a 3-day class/seminar. My schedule is going to be tight except for Wednesday and Saturday nights. If you only had two shots at a great meal there, where would you go? I eat just about anything but seafood. Thanks!
Jodi

[SueK]

Jodi- I'd check out Maggianos for wonderful Italian food. I ate there last year and it was awesome! I believe they have several locations around town.

[CathyS]

Jodi -

If you like Cajun food, I recommend Louisiana Kitchen (in Lincoln Park). I like it better than Heaven on Seven (downtown, also Cajun) which is a very popular restaurant.

Also, for Italian, I like Tarantino's (Lincoln Park), and also Rose Angeli's, like someone mentioned earlier.

Lincoln Park has a lot of fun restaurants, bars, plays, etc and is easily accessible to and from downtown by cabs or public transportation. I have lived here for 4 years, and its a great place to try out new restaurants.

CathyS

[SusanD]

I lived in Chicago for 3.5 years, and the thing I miss most are the restaurants! I agree with BethML, Cafe Iberico and Frontera Grill are both fantastic - you can't go wrong with either of those. Other suggestions are:

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba (also tapas)

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder (tiny place on Clark Street in Lincoln Park with the most unusual pizza and flatbread)

Bandera (wood-roast place on Michigan Ave.)

Flat Top Grill (mongolian barbecue, you pick out your ingredients and they stir-fry it for you)

Looks like you'll be eating well - but you'll burn it off shopping on Michigan Avenue! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[ellielk]

I used to travel to Chicago on business but it's been several years. I have to second the vote for Cafe Ba Ba Reeba. It was more fun. There were nine of us, mostly strangers but after their Sangria and passing around tapas we were all laughing and talking like we'd been friends forever.

I would think that any of those Lettuce Entertain You restaurants (it's like a rating guide) would be good.

[Don]

And don't miss Gino's East pizza. It's definitely worth the wait and a real Chicago experience. It's the one place I insist on going every time I am in town. The deep dish pizza is amazing!

[BethH]

Cafe Iberico is awesome! Everytime I'm visiting, I always try to go there. Tapas and sangria are so yummy and so much fun!

[Ralph]

For true regional American cuisine (can't specify just one since the menu changes monthly), I'd recommend Zinfandel.
If you're looking to splurge ($50-100 per person), consider Tru or Ambria.
I second the recommendations for Frontera Grill, Reza's, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba, & Heaven on Seven.

[LGBurns]

I second (and in some cases third) the recommendations for Reza's, Louisiana Kitchen, Cafe Iberico, Hi Ricky and Gino's East.

Thanks for asking! This has been a very useful thread for me. I moved to Chicago about 3 years ago, but I don't get the chance to eat out much. It's really helpful for me to see what other people recommend.

[JenS]

I've lived in Chicago all my life, am now in a NW 'burb.

While we usually enjoy trying restaurants in different neighborhoods, I've got to agree with the suggestions of Frontera, and Bandera. Rick Bayless is just awesome, the wait for a table is worth it.

If you do chose to leave the downtown area, I'd suggest you ask the concierge at your hotel for ideas. They're a wealth of information.

Have a great time...make sure you bring your hat and gloves!

[Jodi]

Thanks to all for the wonderful ideas. I'll be sure to bring my appetite along with the warm clothing!

[Grace]

I was wondering when someone was going to ask about Chicago.

My favorites are (and I'm going with downtown area places, since I assume that's where you'll be - if not, let me know where you will be and I can give some other suggestions):

Francesca's on Taylor - Bistro Italian
Reza's - Persian food - AWESOME!
Pegasus - Greek food in Greektown
Hi Ricky - Thai
The Chop House - Excellent, expensive Steaks, chops, etc.
Russian Tea Time - Russian food - EXCELLENT
Spago - Wolfgang Puck's restaurant
Charlie Trotters - super expensive, hard to get in, but definitely an experience!!
Geja's - Fondue - very romantic and intimate - fantastic wine list


Let me know if there is a particular cuisine you are most interested in - we have EVERY kind of food in Chicago (10,000 restaurants), and a lot of it is really top notch.

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 01-11-2001).]

[BethML]

I've lived in Chicago for the past 4 years, so I have a bunch of suggestions for you.

Italian - Volare (downtown), Rose Angelis (Lincoln Park)

Tapas - Cafe Iberico (downtown)

Mexican - Frontera Grill is extremely popular, so don't go if you aren't willing to wait a while for a table. Also downtown.

French - Kiki's Bistro is lovely (downtown) and I've heard lots of good things about Bistro Margot (Old Town area)

Greek - Papagus (downtown) is great and very charming.


If you want more information on these restaurants or to do your own search, there is a great resource available on www.chireader.com. (http://www.chireader.com.) This is the website of the Chicago Reader, a local alternative newspaper. They have a very helpful Restaurant Finder section with readers' opinions and ratings (like a Zagat's).