Chicago at Cristmas time

[sharon kopenski]

My friend and I will be at the Palmer House for 1 night next week. She is not a foodie. We want a nice restaurant possibly with in walking distance or short cab ride. Not too french and not too expensive, just a nice place--$50 or so for dinner not including drinks. Also, what should we see besides Marshal Feilds' windows. Grace, for sure you have suggestions. Thanks

[sillybeans]

There are a few good options right close by. For Italian, I like Trattoria 10 (downstairs at 10 N. Dearborn). The house specialty is ravioli (not the heavy cheese-and-meatsauce type). They also have a really nice happy hour bar buffet--it's about $12 plus a drink--that is NOT typical bar fare, but pasta, grilled meats, salad, and other house favories.

The Atwood Cafe in the Burnham Hotel is lovely, but small and can fill up quick.

The Burghoff is a Chicago institution--German food and beer. Not haute cuisine, but can be fun and good on a cold winter's night.

If you want Chicago stuffed pizza, there's a Giradano's nearby on Wabash (don't know exact address). Try the stuffed spinich to minimixe the damage!

If you're willing to venture north of the river, your selection improves immensely. For reasonable pan-Asian, there's Big Bowl on Ontario and Wabash, or the more authentic Thai Star of Siam on Hubbard (? could be Illinois) and State.

Frontera Grill has a new fast-food option on the 5th floor of the Field's building on state, if you want to check that out.

I would recommend checking out the Chriskindlemarket in Daley Plazy (approx State and Randolph--I'm horrible with addresses) which is a cute little German village set up with holiday shops. Also walk north on Michigan Avenue--the lights are up and the store displays can be impressive as well. If the weather's nice and the line isn't too long, stop in the bar on the 96th floor of the John Hancock to take in the view.

Enjoy Chicago--just bring some gloves--and a hat.

Tracy

[sharon kopenski]

Tracey, thanks so much for your reply. Great suggestions, just want I wanted. Thanks

[Grace]

Sharon!

I must have missed this when you first posted it - sorry!

As for suggestions, Tracy already gave you lots of good stuff. I second the recommendation for Berghoff.

I can also add Reza's on Ontario if you like good Middle Eastern food. Not exactly walking distance, but it's only a short cab ride away. A little bit further away, but still not too far is Mia Francesca - my favorite Italian place. It's on Taylor Street.

And you HAVE to check out the Christkindlmarkt!! We will be there too probably on....hmmmmm.... just checking the calendar - not sure when - maybe a weeknight next week.....(which night will you be here?) anyway, the vendors are actual Germans who come here for 2 weeks, set up shop and work and then go back home I think on Christmas Eve. But it's great fun. Get yourself a cup of Gluehwein - good stuff and potent! :D . The food isn't totally authentic (they don't schlepp all their ingredients with them from Germany, so they buy what we have here), but the atmosphere is great and the food is decent, and all the little shops are so much fun to browse. There is one shop (hut?!) with all German candy that IS authentic, and they carry tons of stuff you can't normally get here, so I highly recommend that one. I always look for "Milka Tenders" (basically German Ho-Ho's!) when I'm there and snatch them up since they don't sell them anywhere in the US otherwise. DH and I have been going since we got married 7 years ago, and we buy one ornament from there each year for our tree.

Lastly, the Hancock is great - but I suggest, if you can, doing the lunch buffet on Saturday, although at this time of year with so many tourists here it might be a zoo. But the buffet is something like $15 a person, you get to sit on the 95th floor and the food is pretty good. Very fresh - great salads and homemade dressings (you'll never find ICEBERG lettuce there! :D ), and some good carving stations, nice vegetable sides, etc. The value is good because it costs something like $10 to go to the top of the Sears Tower and you get nothing up there but a view. :rolleyes: So why not pay an extra $5 and get a decent lunch and a chance to sit at the window and look out while you dine. Fun, fun, fun.

[hollysmom]

Gino's East for Pizza.

Top of the Westin at Water Tower for dessert (and looking out the windows)

SSM

[kima]

Sharon!


Lastly, the Hancock is great - but I suggest, if you can, doing the lunch buffet on Saturday, although at this time of year with so many tourists here it might be a zoo. But the buffet is something like $15 a person, you get to sit on the 95th floor and the food is pretty good. Very fresh - great salads and homemade dressings (you'll never find ICEBERG lettuce there! :D ), and some good carving stations, nice vegetable sides, etc. The value is good because it costs something like $10 to go to the top of the Sears Tower and you get nothing up there but a view. :rolleyes: So why not pay an extra $5 and get a decent lunch and a chance to sit at the window and look out while you dine. Fun, fun, fun.

Yes yes yes. I did that with Grace and her DH when I visited. Wonderful experience.

[Grace]

Yes, I did do that with Maureen as well as several other friends/family members! I must say, Maureen, the food wasn't as good that day for some reason as it has been. It was OK, but not good like it usually is....... but what they lack (if they lack) in the food dept., they make up for in the VIEW!! :D

When you come back (not if, WHEN!), we will go to Reza's and some other good stuff..... so much to do still!