We will be staying at the Park Hyatt on Michigan Ave. and we are looking for an excellent italian restaurant in walking distance. Any suggestions?

You might consider Bice.

Second Bice (on Ontario and St. Clair--Northern Italian). Also Volage on St. Clair just south of Grand.

Spiggia would be the apex of Italian dining--it's a bit out of my price range, though, so I've never been. I hear it's lower priced sibling, Cafe Spiggia, is also nice (north on M. Ave right around Oak St--Maybe at 1 Mag Mile building--but not at street level).

More casual but also decent it Tuchi Benuch in the 900 N building (Bloomies).

HTH,
Racy

We actually have been to Bice and really liked it. We may go back again, I just wondered if there was anywhere else. I would love to go to Spiggia, but we are having two other expensive dinners and I was looking for something that was casual, but still kind of upscale.

One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Chicago is Volari - it is an "old school" independently owned place with GREAT italian dishes!

Huge quantities, piping hot pasta and comical to watch the owners/servers bustle about. Hope you enjoy!

I second Tuchi Benuch.

My best friend and Gary, Ind. native, swears by a place called Papa Milianos, that should be within walking distance. Old fashioned, family kinda spot.

Sadly, Papa Milanos closed. They lost their lease.

Around the corner on St. Clair from Bice is the Coco Pazzo Cafe, which is the more casual version of Coco Pazzo.

Also, Quartino on Ontario and Statish is small-plates Italian with quarter-litres of well-priced wines. I hear great things--it's a bustling spot.

You will love Coco Pazzo. There is also a Coco Pazzo Cafe for more casual eating.