Chicago - any recnet visits to a Fabulous Restaurant?
May 9th, 2007, 07:24 AM
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Chicago - any recnet visits to a Fabulous Restaurant?
DH and I are going to stay at the Palmer House in the beginning oj June for my Bday.
We would love any great ideas for Restaurants....
Would love to stay near the Hotel - short taxi distance or walk...
No Steak Houses....(although I do love a good steak!)
Are there any trendy or established good seafood or PanAsian type places??? Looking for something a little out of the ordinary????
May 9th, 2007, 07:43 AM
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Alinea - the most amazing restaurant I've ever been to. I went with a group of foodies this past summer. It was an outstanding experience in presentation, service, ambiance and cuisine. Check out their website.
May 9th, 2007, 08:13 AM
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Fronteria Grill just won "best restaurant in the USA" at awards yesterday. Tru came in for "best service" award.
You have immense choices, and the price range you desire is important information.
www.metromix.com
Trendy pan-Asian that I have been, I didn't think were fractionally as good as Fronteria- all pricing levels aside.
You have immense choices, and the price range you desire is important information.
www.metromix.com
Trendy pan-Asian that I have been, I didn't think were fractionally as good as Fronteria- all pricing levels aside.
May 9th, 2007, 10:16 AM
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Correct, marilyn, I didn't proofread.
I was shocked that Chicago won so many of the restaurant awards, as they did.
Restaurants are so subjective, that if you don't have a price range or some other "we like" characteristics, it can be picking one straw out of literally 100s. Romantic, service foodie, peace and leisure "want to be left alone" factors?? What is wonderful for one, is "neglect" for another. Wine? Drinks? Is that important? Love/hate places like Geja's? Many women just love it, others want more substance.
I was shocked that Chicago won so many of the restaurant awards, as they did.
Restaurants are so subjective, that if you don't have a price range or some other "we like" characteristics, it can be picking one straw out of literally 100s. Romantic, service foodie, peace and leisure "want to be left alone" factors?? What is wonderful for one, is "neglect" for another. Wine? Drinks? Is that important? Love/hate places like Geja's? Many women just love it, others want more substance.
May 9th, 2007, 12:40 PM
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Alinea, named the best restaurant in the US by Gourmet mag, is memorable (and big bucks). You must reserve exactly 30 days in advance (as I recall). Also Schwa gets great reviews and requires very advance reservations.
May 9th, 2007, 03:03 PM
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Thanks everyone, I lknow it is an open-ended question...
price is not a factor.
I visited wine spectators web site for their choice of best wine .... I love good wine but I an not an expert. So this is not super important. I think Fun, good vibe, chic, "different" cover it for me.... Still somewhat subjective I realize!!!!
price is not a factor.
I visited wine spectators web site for their choice of best wine .... I love good wine but I an not an expert. So this is not super important. I think Fun, good vibe, chic, "different" cover it for me.... Still somewhat subjective I realize!!!!
May 9th, 2007, 04:30 PM
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By the way, if you decide to dine at Alinea, go with their more expensive flights of wine. We chose to do so and worked bowled over by the wine, alone. It's an amazing experience. I hope you can get a reservation.
May 9th, 2007, 04:34 PM
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Oh! Thought I should mention some others. We also dined at Charlie Trotter's (loved it but am disappointed in his cowtowing to the anti-foie gras people) and Spring. Since you mentioned Slanted Door, you might enjoy http://www.springrestaurant.net/
May 9th, 2007, 05:02 PM
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I went last May to Chicago, which is a fabulous city. We ate at Spring in Wicker Park which was incredible and very different. For Asian we ate at Kamahachi(?) which was on Wells St near Second City and was also excellent.
May 10th, 2007, 07:41 AM
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Very true, DRJ, for the two of them but it's worth it. She said money is not a factor. It's five hours of the best of the best. 
We plan to fly out there, from California, at least once a year to experience Alinea. It's outstanding in every way.
We plan to fly out there, from California, at least once a year to experience Alinea. It's outstanding in every way.
May 10th, 2007, 01:12 PM
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I am not sure my husband would like a tour or to pay $1,000 - He would ask if we coudl keep the gold plates!!! 
Have you heard of two places called :
Normai (sp?)
Japonaise
an aquaintance thought these were very good!!
Great suggestions.....Thanks
It is so hard to choose....
Have you heard of two places called :
Normai (sp?)
Japonaise
an aquaintance thought these were very good!!
Great suggestions.....Thanks
It is so hard to choose....
May 10th, 2007, 01:34 PM
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Frontera Grill was mentioned, but even better: Topolobampo, the sister resturant next door.
My husband and I had one of our best resturant experiences EVER there last September. Really wonderful if you have any inclination towards Mexican (NOT Tex-Mex, not that there's anything wrong with that!):
http://tinyurl.com/2wtoqb
~Liz
My husband and I had one of our best resturant experiences EVER there last September. Really wonderful if you have any inclination towards Mexican (NOT Tex-Mex, not that there's anything wrong with that!):
http://tinyurl.com/2wtoqb
~Liz
May 10th, 2007, 05:15 PM
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Re - Frontera Grill - I love Mexican food but would never peg Mexican as being such a great restaurant expereince,so.... I am curious to try!!! Maybe we will go there the night before with our friends who are meeting us
