chicago - Holiday Restaurant Recommendations
 

I will be in Chicago over the Christmas holiday and am looking for any good restaurant recommendations. initial preferences are Italian, Seafood, or continental style food but am open to anything good. Atmosphere is important along with the ability to get a reservation - the real hot spots are often impossible. I'm open to anything that can be kept to approx. $75 per person and under excluding wine/cocktails.

a nice cozy french place: <BR> <BR>Cafe Bernard on Halsted. <BR> <BR>danny

Ambria, at 2300 N. Lincoln Park West, is very cosy and clubby, particularly in the winter. Nice continental food, good service, wood paneling, high ceilings, oriental rugs. Mon Ami Gabi is a brasserie across the lobby--both are in the Belden-Stratford Hotel overlooking the Lincoln Park Zoo--if you want something a little more casual.

This one is fun and pretty and moderately priced: The Parthenon 314 S. Halsted (that's "Greektown"). 312.726.2407

I would also second Mon Ami Gabi--I already plan to dine there w/ out-of-town friends over the holidays. Great atmosphere, very pretty location (you can go for a walk and see the "zoo lights"--the lincoln park zoo is festively decorated with light displays and is one block away. You can also easily catch a cab home, since it is inside of a hotel/concierge building and the doorman will hail one for you. Try their steak with pomme fritte or they have a daily menu that varies with great selections.

Try Trattoria No. 10 (10 N. Dearborn Street) for good Northern Italian. An interesting place for lunch is the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock Building, 875 N. Michigan. Unbelievable view, very popular with visitors. <BR>If you want Greek food, I think Costa's, at Halsted and Van Buren, is a cut above the rest.