My husband and I are heading to Chicago for 5 days in October - what are some do-not-miss restaurants - both the up-scale/trendy types and local joints that are not likely to be frequented by tourists. Thanks in advance!

The hip-n-trendy:

MK is my favorite in the city - great food, contemporary but warm atmosphere, complete with Chicago-style exposed brick. Many of the newest, best restaurants are in Bucktown, which is less likely to be ultra-touristy. Some good ones are Echo (serving appetizer-sized portions of everything for romantic sharing) and Soul Kitchen ("loud food, spicy music" in a funky setting). Try Frontera Grill - the food is wonderful upscale Mexican, but its usually packed; at least drop by for the special house margarita in a martini glass. Le Colonial in the Gold Coast is sceney - book a table outside on the veranda or opt for drinks and appetizers upstairs. Chi chi sushi is at Sushi Wabi in the West Loop.

The locals:
Jane's in Bucktown serves healthy but hearty food. Grab a drink afterward next door at the Leopard Lounge. I also hear Jane's has a great weekend brunch. Twin Anchors is a favorite Chicago dive for barbeque (in the movie Return to Me). Penny's Noodles is another popular choice for updated Thai - its BYOB so dinner for two can be under $15!

Hopefully someone else can recommend a great steak place - you'll need a steak and a deep dish pizza before you leave the city.

How about Bergorf's(famous German -been there forever restaurant) for lunch? Just to see the memories of old Chicago and have a taste of "Octoberfest"?

I've been sending people to Greektown and The Parthenon restaurant. My cousin took me there in May and we had a wonderful, inexpensive, and entertaining meal. 314 S. Halstead. Also stop by the bakery a couple of doors down for some REAL delights for snacking on!

If you like sushi, I second Sushi Wabi and also recommend Mirai Sushi. Two of the best in the city (and very hip/upscale). If you like better Thai try Arun's. Finally, there's a great new Italian restaurant in the South Loop called Gioco. Located at 13th and Wabash. Specializes in Northern Italian and it is fabulous.

Ive lived in lincoln park for 3 years, and I HIGHLY reccomend Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba on Halstead (a few blocks north of the Steppenwolf theare) Its a fantastic Spanish Tapas restaurant... In case youve never had tapas, theyre delicious appetizer-sized dishes of which each person orders 3 or 4 and shares with everyone else. try the Sangria. Also, the place is usually full, but not with tourists.
As for pizza, my favorite is "Chicago's pizza"... the best deep dish Ive found. Plus, they deliver to 5 am! Giordanno's is another very good deep dish pizza restauraunt. Skip Pizzarias Uno and Due. They may have been something once, but now theyre overpriced tourist traps with mediocre food and slow service. Just my opinion.
I agree with Penny's Noodles, and there are lots of other great thai places in this city as well. The Blue Mesa is a fantastic southwestern restaurant in Lincoln Park. Nice Place. Also they have a tequilla bar if thats up your alley.
If youre looking for upscale, theres the restaurant at the top of the John Hancock Building. (Iforget the name) Have dinner if you can swing it, but if you dont want to break the bank go for dessert, coffee, or a drink, and just take in the view from 1000 feet up. Also, Spiaggia and Cafe Spiaggia (its slightly less expensive neighbor) are at the north end of the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Ave. Very good upscale Italian food in the heart of Downtown.
OH yeah, this may be a little touristy, but Dicks Last Resort on the North Pier serves decent food and has a live dixieland jazz band playing while you eat. This along with Ed Debevicks (sp>),are famous for their humorously rude service. I know it sounds weird, but it really is a good time.
Hope this helps.
Have fun.

Hello, Chicagoans -- Can anyone tell me if Geja's is still going? Fondue -- cheese, oil, and chocolate -- isn't all that unique, but Geja's is good and it's such an intimate, cozy place -- I have fond memories.

Mrs. O'L, I saw an ad for Geja's in the paper this morning, something about Australian wine tasting, so it's still in business. One of these days I'm going to have to try that place.

Another vote for Cafe Ba Ba Reeba and one for Cafe Iberico, another tapas place which is located closer to the Michigan Avenue area, Cafe Ba Ba Reeba is in Lincoln Park. Both have pretty long waits on the weekend, so either go early or plan on drinking lots of sangria.

Geja's is great. Super romantic for sharing between just you two. Bergorf's is not what it used to be, in my opinion. Food was not up to par last time I ate there. There are so many neighborhood restaurants that are not as pricey as the Tribune list (downtown) and which are so much better. One right across from Oprah's studios is called Flat Top Grill. This is not a tourist spot but is very very popular. Great price for a healthy and delicious eating experience. It's very sociable too, as it's like a Mongolian BBQ and you get great service and instruction. Great fun! On Navy Pier itself, go to Riva. Heard Ruth Chris' steak house is very good but expensive. Hope you have a great time in Chicago. Today the weather got windy so make sure you bring a warm jacket. It could be warm and golden autumn with perfect
conditions too- hope it is and you have fun exploring.

I second the suggestions of Cafe Iberico and Soul Kitchen-
for other ideas, go to www.metromix.com- great website for dining/entertainment in Chi-town.
Have fun!

Another vote for Cafe Ba-ba-Reeba for Spanish food -- tapas. And I also like Giordano's for pizza (especially the spinach). There is a tiny little lovely Italian place in Lincoln Park called Medici. For ribs I love Carson's.

Thanks for all of the suggestions! I'm looking forward to our trip!

One word of advice about Cafe Ba-ba-reba (as well as Cafe Iberico)--Get there early! There will be quite a wait the later you go, particularly on the weekends. Reza's near river north is also a fun, different place to get great middle eastern/persian food!

Yoshis Cafe on corner of Halstead and Aldine. Great French food!

Oh and Carson's for the best ribs you will ever have. Our office used to be across the street and whenever in Chicago would have dinner there. It is just off Ontario St.

Have a great time in Chicago.

tweedy

Jen,

I am happy to see all the recommendations for Spanish food at Cafe Iberico (the chocolate flan for dessert is fabulous) as well as Cafe Baba-Reeba, another of our favorites when we visit the windy city. Two other great Spanish places are Arco de Cuchilleros which is on Halsted (I think) right near the Briar Street Theater where Blue Man is playing. If you haven't seen Blueman don't miss it and you can get an idea(but nothing compares to the eye-popping show) at Blueman.com! Also for Spanish, Emilio's Tapas (more than one location in Chicago area) has Garlic Potato Salad (patatas ali oli) that I have finally learned to make on my own that gets me through the rest of the year when we are not in Chicago to order at Emilios.

Maria