Best restaurants in Chicago
 

Been awhile since I have been to Chicago...what is hot in fine dining? Best steakhouse?

Charlie Trotter's is closing soon, so you might want to try experience it before it does. Another restaurant for fine dining: http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/ , or http://www.rickbayless.com/

For a steakhouse, Gibson's is local and very popular.
Alinea is tops in the city.

Next (if you can get tickets), Alinea, Tru, Mercadito, Henri, Avec, Blackbird, Topolobambo, Spiaggia.

Denisea, we really enjoy "Smith & Wollensky" overlooking the Chicago River. It's on North State at Marina City. Our most recent visit was August of 2011. Have fun in the city!

Anything close to the Loop? I'm also interested in other grade dinings, not just fine, preferably close to the Loop and something quintessentially Chicago. Thanks!

Greek town is close to the Loop with quite a few restaurants to choose from.

Best Steakhouse? - GIBSON's, GIBSON's GIBSON's on Rush St.

JMHO

Gibson's is the best for people watching. David Burke has great steaks.

Some in places are: Girl & the Goat, Publican, Purple Pig, Paris Club, GT Oyster House.

For great food: Blackbird, Boka, Gemini.


http://chicagovisitor.net/

Hi Denise:

Not a fan of Gibsons.

Take a look at Mercadito, Paris Club, The Pump Room at the new Public Hotel, Mastro's or Benny's for steaks. Always great people watching at Tavern on Rush.

I would suggest a drink at the Peninsula, go around the block to Ralph Lauren's RL restaurant, and then across the street to Nomi at the Park Hyatt for a nightcap.

Whether Gibson's or not - walking along Rush St is a trip. Trying to remember the name of the hotel that recently re-opened - and they have the famous bar - once a "speakeasy" where the Frank Sinatra's of this world hung out. They were also supposed to be opening with fine dining.

In googling away - found this place which may or may not be it. http://thedrchicago.com/

OMG: It was in the post before mine.
The famous Pump Room and here is a review: http://timeoutchicago.com/restaurant...-the-pump-room

Gibson's is the epicenter of the "Viagra Triangle" and for good reason.

Not fine dining but so good and so fun: Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder. 2121 N Clark.

JC98, do you want a restaurant which is close to the Loop? Or one which is quintessiantially Chicago?

You have to get outside the most touristy area of the city if you want the latter. Anything close to the majority of where the hotels are located are geared towards the tourists.

Alinea is the BEST restaurant in the city!

Thanks, all, for your responses. exiledprincess, I won't have a car in Chicago, so anything accessible by public transportation and close to some sights would be considered.

Thanks!

JC98, you have to help out a bit more here...

Where are you going to be in Chicago and what are you going to be doing (in other words, how will you be dressed)? It's a big city.

What's your dining budget? What types of cuisine do you prefer?

My hotel is in the Loop area (Hyatt). I'll be there in the day for a meeting, but free after 5 p.m. and on the weekends.

I can splurge once or twice if it's really worth. Looking for quintessential eats, preferably close to the hotel or reachable by public transport or taxi (not too expensive--no $50 ride).

While you're at it, please also recommend a place to listen to blues music and attend an improv. And also any concerts and festivals held at Millenium Park?

What's a good website that lists events in Chicago? I surfed around but haven't found anything easy to use or comprehensive.

Thanks

Check www.metromix.com, www.chicagoreader.com or www.chicagomag.com.

Close to the Loop -- it's not hot, but it's classic: Everest. Pricey, very fine dining (with an Alsatian flair) on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange. Food and wine list are tops. Reserve a window table.
A caution: I always thought this was one of the absolute best restaurants in Chicago, and I'd go again on blind faith, but it has been a long while since I've visited. Can anyone confirm that it's still a great place?

Here's all you need - go to the Girl & the Goat. Here's a review from Saveur magazine:

http://www.saveur.com/article/Travel...and-the-Goat/1

also check out the Chowhound boards for Chicago eats.

Last weekend we went back to Shaw's crabhouse after having dinner there 15 years ago. It's a bit cliche - but we enjoyed it. The tab for 3 with wine was $140.

It was good, but my favorites in Chicago have always been the hot dog stands and the italian beef joints. A few months ago, we went to Hot Doug's for gourmet dogs. After waiting in line for over an hour - eh, not worth that long of a wait. I mean it was really good, particularly the duck fat fries on weekends, but I would never wait in line that long again for Doug's Dogs. I would give about 10 minutes to a line for them.

for a good, solid diner experience go to Lou Mitchell's: http://www.loumitchellsrestaurant.com/menus.html

I've only had breakfast at Lou's but it was classic good.

JC98,

for improv visit Second City where many of the original Saturday Night cast came from

http://www.secondcity.com/performanc...go/nowplaying/

For blues

http://kingstonmines.com/

http://www.buddyguy.com/

http://rosaslounge.com/index.cfm

For those curious about Alinea:

http://vennseffect.com/Alinea.html

I just read the article Michael posted about Alinea. Just reading it gave me the jitters. It is so not something my DH would enjoy, and the cost involved has nothing to do with it! We like good food, but we are not "foodies" (unless you consider our quest for the best pizza worldwide being "foodies"). Food/dining as theater completely turns us off. I would consider a 4-hour dinner a waste of at least 2-1/2 hours.

Thanks, all, for your great recommendations! Can't wait to try some of them out next week!