Hi we are going to chicago for our aniversary in November.where would you stay.
Fairomont,Penninsula,Intercontinental,Drake.We are looking for upscale accommodations,lake view etc.Also any rec of the best resturants in Chicago would be appreciated

cindymal
all are excellent choices for lodging in the city. the penninsula is the best of the best. if you choose the intercontinental, request the historical side. the drake has a great location at the north end of michigan avenue. you could request a beachview room.
as for dining, if you're a meat eater, steak houses abound. gene & georgetti is a chicago institution as well as the chop house. for thai, arun's is outstanding. it's not downtown but worth the cab ride. of course, for high end like your accomodations, charlie trotter's is a must as is the everest room.

The *best* restaurant in Chicago has got to be Tru. It is an incredible experience especially if you select one of the prix fixe menus. I've had Chef Tramonto's Collection every time and I do believe it to be worth paying a little more for it, especially if you compare it to the other menus. He definitely pays close attention to every dish that exits his kitchen. His wife, Gale, is the pastry chef. The last time we were there, 8 courses turned into at least 12! The food is so imaginitive and gorgeously prepared. The wait staff is incredibly attentive, the sommeliers well-knowledge. Each serving is actually choreographed so that everybody at the table is served at *precisely* the same moment. I recommend this restaurant only if you want a fully immersive dining experience and are willing to pay about $400 for dinner for two including wine. No corners are cut. When you arrive, ask if you can have the kitchen tour. It will make your experience all the more special.

http://www.trurestaurant.com/

My husband and I just returned today from a 4 day stay in Chicago. What a beautiful, clean and friendly city! We ate at Spiaggia's (which is cheaper than Cafe Spiaggia next door). The food and service was top notch. We would definitely return. Also ate at Gibson's. The steaks were delicious and the service was excellent. Would not recommend their sister restaurant next door--Hugo's Frog House and Fish House. The service and food was mediocre.

I agree that it is NOT a good idea to have anything planned after dinner at Tru! Chicgirl is correct, your meal will take at least three hours and they will most certainly have to roll you back your room!

I also agree that $400 for two is at the low end and you'll probably go higher depending on the wine.

As far as hotel, Peninsula can't be beat IMO. It's one of my favorite hotels anywhere in the world.

The Penninsula was just rated the top hotel in the country for service. Absolutely the best place to stay in Chicago.

I would agree with Tru for a restaurant recommendation. Another of my favorites for out of towners is NoMi (short for North Michigan), which is in the Park Hyatt (across the street from the Penninsula, also a very nice hotel!). If you go to NoMi, request a table by the windows, which actually jut out on the seventh floor, giving you spectaular views of the Water Tower (you are directly behind it!), up and down Michigan Ave, and out towards the lake. The decor is very cool, complete with Dale Chihuly glass sculptures. Food is very good as well.

For dessert, check back at the Penninsula for the Chocolate Bar, basically every chocolate concoction (sp?)you can think of!

I'm jealous and getting hungry!

Let us know if you need more info!

Kristy

wow,Thanks for all the great ideas.We are flying in on a friday and staying in town until sunday night.We love to check out new resturants in different cities so we can not wait to try some in chicago.After dinner we were thinking about checking out some of the blues clubs or other fun spots if possible.Also we plan to check out the city on Sat. & Sunday.We have decided to stay at the fairmont and hope that is a good idea,we were able to book a suite with a lake view at a pretty good rate.Thanks again to all.

Take your workout gear to exercise off those calories--guests of the Fairmont have access to a really great gym, complete with climbing wall and outdoor pool/sundeck.

The Fairmont is a good location for scoping out the new Millenium park, as well.

Racy

Racy,
thanks for the good advice.We will start working out now.!!!

Fairmonts a pretty nice hotel. close to the new park, navy pier and not to far from michigan ave.

For blues clubs there is a great place on North Halstead (not downtown in Lincoln Park about $8 cab ride) called Kingston Mines
http://www.kingstonmines.com/

Also in the south loop is Buddy Guys- which is pretty cool
http://www.buddyguys.com/

Those two are my favorite

Tru is awesome but expensive !!!

Here are a couple great places that are a little less expensive but very romantic

Ambria - Great high end french (about 200-300 for 2)
North Pond - this place in IN linocoln park, it is one of my favorite resturants (150-200 for 2)

thanks everyone for the great advice.

Chicgal, I am printing up your suggestions for my next trip to Chicago, early next summer. Thank you!

I've been reading all of your dining suggestions Chicgal - Cafe Bernard's menu looks great. I think we might give it a try!

We are all getting very excited about our upcoming trip! Now that I have my trusty Streetwise Map, we will hopefully find our way around My eldest son would like to go to Grant Park to see the Buckingham Fountain and most likely we would see the planetarium, museum, and possibly the aquarium first so that we hit the fountain's light show. My question is...how is transportation in that general area between attractions? Are there are variety of options - bus, subway, cab or by foot? Thanks.

hi everyone,
We were able to get reservations at tru and Ritz Carlton Dinning room,Should we keeep these or try everest or another suggestion.I read chicagal said there was a new chef.Also what are the must see things in chicsgo during the day.We live in Ny so museums are not important,but we want to get a feel for Chicago

I just have to say that chicgal is unbelievable! I have lived in Chicago for the past 12 years (so I know the city) and I don't think she has ever given bad advice. Every time a Chicago question is asked, she gives my answer (or better) perfectly. You almost read my mind. I had to mention it after she brought up the Rooster and Cafe Bernard. It's in my neighborhood and definately a great 'unknown' gem.
Kudos to chicgal. Keep up the good work!

We finally decided to have dinner at Tru on Friday,Ritz Carlton on Sat and brunch at seasons on Sunday.Someone sug.Nomi instead of Ritz Carlton Dinning Room.What does everyone think.Also we will be in Chicago on NOV>12,13&14th.Will the parade of lights be going on?
Thanks again

Seasons is better than the ritz carlton.
Spaggia, or Nomi may be better choices. Also Everest is excellent as well. At those prices ranges you can also probably do Charlie Trotters (if you can get in) which is one of chicagos best also

Chicago magazine's last issue outlined Chicagos top 20 fine dining establishments

I don't remeber the order(or all of them) but here is what I remember

Tru (it was number 1)
Charlie Trotters(#2)

- don't remember the order anymore

Topolobompo
Seasons
Everest
Ambria
Spaggia
Spring
Naha
Blackbird
Nomi
MK

theres more - but I can't remember

We just returned from a 4 night visit to Chicago. We had dinners at Cafe Spiaggia (my wife said food was "world class"), and NAHA (excellent).

Stayed at Westin North Michigan which was very good. Service people were the best.