Aug. 26-28 chicago trip restaurant help?
 

I am taking a trip to Chicago on the weekend mentioned above. I already have a hotel (Club Quarters, Adams St.) and am looking for good restaurants near the hotel and near the Adler Planetarium. Any good ideas out there?

Two of the restaurants near your hotel are Berghoff on Adams near State or Trattoria No. 10 on Dearborn. Without knowing your price range or tastes, it's difficult to make recommendations. Check metromix.com. You can plug in location, cuisine and price and get a list.

Hi, Phebes -

Since you're staying in the Loop, you'll be near Millenium Park. Park Grille is good and the location will be really convenient for you on your way to or from the planetarium. Have fun!

I agree with the Park Grille. Also Mortons for an excellent steak or Catch 35 for excellent seafood. Definitely check out Millenium Park particularly the fountains

I also like Vivere and the Italian Village for Italian. Not too far from your hotel. Both restaurants are in the same building. Italian Village is dark and kind of Italian ala Disney :) but good food! And Vivere is more contemporary and modern. I've always like Nick's Fishmarket too. Also in that same part of town. Vivere: favorite dessert there a couple of years ago: lavendar-infused creme brulee. Mmmmmm.

A bit of a hike from the planetarium, but Osteria via Stato is one of my favorite restaurant meals in recent memory. (state street, get it?) It's worth the cab ride, but if you have time, walk it...you'll want to be hungry. See the current issue of Bon Apetit. Family style Italian, many diff antipastis, two pastas, all you pick is the secondi. and a bargain on top of all that, $35 prix fixe. I've paid a LOT more for no where near the quality (and quantity if that matters). A new venture from the chef at TRU.

Phebes, the restaurants I'd recommend around your hotel are Trattoria No. 10 and Atwood Cafe.

If money is no object and/or if you are going pre-theatre on certain weekedays, Everest is close by. One of the best restaurants in Chicago.

The Park Grill is fine for casual dining - INSIDE. The outdoor cafe is disappointing and the menu much more limited. Note: It's probably going to be busy over at Millennium Park because of the Viva!Chicago festival going on this weekend in Grant Park.

Highly recommend Aria, 200 N. Columbus (close to Millennium Park).

If you go to the Art Institute, try Russian Tea Time. 1/2 block west of the AI. Or, at the Art Institute, the Garden Cafe is lovely.

Over at Museum Campus (where the Adler Planetarium is locatd), there really isn't much to choose from. There's a Corner Bakery in the Field Museum, Soundings at the Shedd Aquarium (just OK, nothing special, but has a great view). However, all of the north sidewalk from the Adler to the Shedd has that same great view. Instead, I'd suggest you come back to the Loop/Michigan Avenue to dine.

Berghoff has a place in Chicago history, but do the bar menu.

The Walnut Room at Marshall Field's (lunch/tea only) is a lovely place to have a seat and savor some Frango Mint Pie.

And at 111 N. Wabash is the original Heaven on Seven. Do not expect a fancy atmosphere but do expect great gumbo.

Hope these suggestions may help a bit!

Exiled princess has some great suggestions, but I believe the Walnut Room at Marshall Fields does serve dinner, at least early. My mom and I had dinner there at 6:00 pretheater a few weeks back...

I would probably spend a little cab money since Chicago has such great restaurants. Check out www.metromix.com for reviews but a few I would recommend:

Fontera Grill - no reservations but one of the best know, better Mexican in Chicago.
Blue Water Grill - former Spago with lounge upstairs; also near Ben Pao for Chinese or Brassiere Jo for French.
Randolph Street Area - newer, trendier restaurants like Red Light, Marche, Adobo Grill, etc. Longer cab ride but you can stroll the area and check menus. Unique experience, somewhat Middle Eastern but one of our favorites is Tizzi Melloul. One of our nicer dining experiences was Kevin and there are a few bars/restaurants in this area as well. Ages, food desires would help to narrow where to head. We visit from Milwaukee and like to try what isn't available at home. Newest trend if you are big dinners are Brazilian steakhouses like Chao De Fog (??) just check out that category in Metromix.