Going to Chicago late August for a birthday weekend and looking for chicago's best restaurants. Price is not an issue. We are in our mid 30s and love great food and a great atmosphere. Prefer no tie required places, jacket required ok- although dress shirt and pants for guys would be optimum. Any suggestions?

Thanks for your post! We are big into food and make the meal our night out- so the places you decribe sound great. as for cuisine type, I would say new american, french, italian and eclectic. I will try to pull up some of your other posts- thanks! ps- do you think Charlie Trotters is worth it?

You're going to get all kinds of recommendations for places like Charlie Trotters and Tru, so I'll throw in a name you might not otherwise hear . . . Roy's for seafood. Yes, there are other Roy's locations around the country (aka a "chain,") but after eating there I declared it my favorite seafood restaurant. This includes offerings on both coasts! The atmosphere is lively, fun, and you could definitely get away with no tie.

I've never been to Trotter's, but a friend who is as big a foodie as you'll find went to Tru and was "Truly" surprised that she hated it.

You didn't mention Thai, but my favorite eating out experience of all time was Arun's, an $85 prix-fixe, 12-course Thai meal to die for.

Oooh, I totally forgot about Blackbird! Go to Blackbird -- you won't regret it! I take back all my other recommendations!

Blackbird! Blackbird!

(Sorry, I got excited.)

I love Blackbird and I love love love Tru. If price is no issue, I would go for Tru and do one of their "collections" aka prix fix. It is an extreme eating experience and I have always experienced top notch service and cuisine there.

I was able to get a reservation at CT's-I was shocked but pleased. I wonder if it will be right for us though. Price really isn't an issue at all and we are big foodies, but if the choices are very limited and too "out there" (too gamey or too many organ meats) we probably won't love it as much as others might. We're adventurous up to a point. Chicago is one of my absolute favorite cities with so many great restaurant choices, so I want to make sure our meals are great.

Is Lawry's roast beef restaurant still in business?

BAK

Lawrys is still around and after just eatinga t Roys on the BI we will surely try the one here.

Thank you all for your posts- they have been very helpful. I did some research on my own and came up with these names-- any thoughts? MK, Ambria, Japonais, spiaggia, les nomades, everest and nomi. Thanks!

Have never heard of Roy's. More info, pls? Where is it? What's the price range/ambience like? Thanks!

If you haven't taken a look at www.metromix.com, you might do that. There are reviews for most of the restaurants you are asking for from Phil Vettel, the Chicago Tribune critic. There are customer reviews as well. Ambria's review is a few years old but it is consistently listed by Chicago Mag as one of the top restaurants in Chicago.

Japonais is one of the hot trendy restaurants at the moment, if you are thinking of going there, get reservations as soon as possible. Many of the ones you have listed are on www.opentable.com, a free reservation service in Chicago, and you can put in your dates and see what is available.

Definitely look at metromix.com.

Friends of ours splurged at CT's last month (spent around $500 for two, I think) and were not disappointed. They said it was the meal of a lifetime.

If you're looking for hip, somewhat upscale restaurants, check out West Randolph Street--Red Light, Marche, Vivo, Sol y Mar. They're not as expensive as places like Tru and Ambria, but they're worth checking out.

Ah , what a challenge! I had the best French food I've had since I was a student in France at Bistro 110. Also, the service was great, friendly and the atmosphere wasn't stuffy at all. I loved it!

Ambria is a great one. It doesn't get mentioned as much, because it's older, but it's comfortable and special, and right across from the Lincoln Park free zoo. You could walk through the zoo (daytime hours only) to the lake before dinner. A jacket is required.

Everest is overrated.

CT is in a neighborhood allowing for a comfortable post-dinner stroll. you'll need it. they accomodate any request, so don't be shy about likes and dislikes.

Arjay,

Since no one has responded re/Roys, I will. (Check out the website at roysrestaurant.com, too.)

It is Hawaiian/Asian seafood with an outgoing atmoshpere. We loved our entree choices (hubby had the much-celebrated Butterfish, I embarassingly can't remember what I had, just know it was delicious!).

They are known for a chocolate souffle for dessert, which requires ordering at the time you arder your entree. My husband was deliberating whether to order his own or share mine, and I responded, "Oh, it's our anniversary, live it up." Much to our surprise, the waitress picked up on that without saying a word and delivered, along with our two souffles, a special celebrstory creme brulee (which happens to be my favorite dessert!)

They have outdoor seating, it that interests you, though being on a busy street corner, I think dining inside is nicer. Check it out!

Mas is at Division & Paulina (1200 North & 1700 west) and worth it for a unique meal and nice atmosphere, not too expensive. Great drinks, too. Good for fish & exotic flavors.