Fodorites,

Can you recommend couple good restaurants that you like in the Downtown/Michigan Ave area/ in Chicago? I am staying for just two nights, and am mostly looking for local landmarks (so no specific cuisine preferences). Thanks in advance.

There are literally hundreds of places depending on your budget.

Some great Italian places are Rosebud on Rush or Italian Village. If you're looking for steak, the Chicago Chop House or Gibson's are good. There are also at least three Brazilian-style steak houses. Reza's is Persian and has huge portions for very reasonable prices. Then, there are the pizza places.

Otherwise, check www.metromix.com. You can enter a neighborhood, price range and cuisine and receive a list of suggestions.

ComfyShoes,

There are so many restaurants in Chicago Mich.Ave/River North area and restaurant threads also here on Fodors, that you will get much better information if you give details and also do a search re those details.

For instance, we need to know your price range, as it is immense. There are $1000 dinners that people here may routinely suggest. You see what I mean.

Many also in that area are really tourist driven and/or gimmick to me. But it MAY be what you like. Do you have trendy yen preference. Or historic trend preference. Age group of the clientel matter? Dress up/ dress down place?

You see what I mean. People will give you lots of information if you set them in the right direction.

www.metromix.com is great for this area of Chicago re food.

Also if you like Greek, Italian, Pizza, Steak House etc. you can do a search here on the search feature:
Chicago pizza and see that you will get immense threads filled with the same kind of arguments all the time. Same for steak, and sushi, IMHO.

If it was I, I think I would like a tapas place and also would love to go to Fronteria Grill or Topolabamba if you have the $$$.

Many restaurants require reservations, but many of the most mentioned do not.

Local landmark ones I can think of are Mike Ditka's on Chestnut. I like the chop salad especially and there are some good chops. Grand Lux is mentioned, as is Ed Debevick's. (I do not like that at all, but others love to be insulted.)

Have fun and remember that if you go just "OFF" of Michigan Ave. you usually get away from the mobs in summer. And I find that I always have a much better meal overall when I'm a bit away, myself.

Water Tower Food Court at lunchtime is not a fast food choice, but has many different restaurants within for a fast shopping break or whatever.

Are you going to want a view?

People will answer if you give more detail.

Citylghts and JJ5,

You have already given me plenty of ideas (Yes, we could dress up or "down" , greek/italian/whatever, see the problem? ).

So, Thanks, I pick Mike Ditka's and Chicago Chop House. They look like local landmarks to me because I have heard of them before.

What's with Ed Debevick's being "insulted"? Didn't understand that.

It's a restaurant where the gimmick is that they insult you instead of serving you with affability. The joke seems continually hilarious to some. For instance they will "spill" on you and make side remarks like "move over lady etc." My one aunt nearly freaked out and wanted to leave immediately.
Underwhelming food, IMHO.

You sound like you want the tourist feel places. What is your price range for instance for a dinner per person and are you interested in wines/ beer/ cocktails?

The 4 Seasons has a bar tender that wins "awards" for that field all the time. There are places for drinking with piano bar etc. etc.

Price range for dinner per person would get you more pertinent information.

Okay, JJ, $75-100 a person, excluding wine. Wine yes, beer/cocktails no. The Chop House is definitely one of them because the menu looks good and it seems pretty reasonable. On second thoughts, Ditka is out because the menu, not surprisingly, sounds more like a slightly pricey sports bar.

What do you think of Signature Room at the 95th? Good view? Ambiance?

I am sort of uptight so no, don't think I would like to be insulted Just kidding about being uptight.

If you want a amazing view, then the Signature Room is for you! I hear the food is good, but nothing spectacular and pricey. Maybe doing Sunday brunch would be a good option or even just drinks if you want the view.

Here's another huge recommendation for Mike Ditka's. The food is very good and reasonably prices. Service is friendly and exceptionally efficient (they don't rush you, they just show up as needed and the food is delivered quickly).

We had reservations at the Chicago Chop House, but happened to visit Wildfire (a couple of blocks away) first. We had a look at the Chop House menu, peeked inside, and cancelled our reservations in favor of another visit to Wildfire - where the wood burning grills and ovens are intoxicating, the food is wonderful, and the prices are much lower.

I went to Mike Ditka's last October and apparently, Da Coach comes in almost every night. So you can get a photo too! Big portions, though.

Grand Lux a local landmark? Lol...it's the Cheesecake Factory with a different name.

ComfyShoes, just so we are on the same page, "downtown" Chicago refers to the Loop area. Doesn't include the Magnificent Mile (N. Michigan Avenue), River North or Streeterville, etc.

IMHO, it would be better for you to get off the Magnificent Mile for dining. With a few notable exceptions (most outside of your dining budget range), I think you'd get more bang for your buck.

That being said...

If you wanted a restaurant in a landmark building, then I'd recommend Atwood Cafe in the Hotel Burnham (the historic Reliance Building). This is in "downtown" Chicago. Trattoria No. 10, at 10 N. Dearborn, is as well.

If you wanted a restaurant next to a landmark, then I'd suggest the Park Grille (at Millennium Park - adjacent to Cloud Gate aka "The Bean"). Not in "downtown" Chicago but pretty darn close. Eat inside - not out; however, if there is a free concert occurring at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion when you are here, definitely take advantage of it and have a picnic (either with or without wine/champagne) on the great lawn while enjoying it. You can get prepared picnic baskets at Park Grille, Fox and Obel, and other places nearby.

If you wanted restaurant suggestions near or on the Magnificent Mile in your budget range: Cafe Spiaggia (Oak/Michigan). Le Colonial (French Vietnamese) on Rush (1 block west of N. Michigan Ave.) just north of Walton. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab for seafood or steak - and, I'll add, their seafood salad is amazing. Freshest I've ever eaten.

If you wanted another seafood place near evening entertainment, then go to Shaw's Crabhouse on Hubbard. (Hubbard is 1 block north of the Chicago River.) Then go to Andy's Jazz Club, two doors east afterwards. By the way, if you were looking for lunch with entertainment, Andy's has the Jazz at Noon option on Fridays only now. No cover for the entertainment and they serve sandwiches, salads, etc.

However, if you wanted a place which has great cuisine and a lovely water view (not a lake view, though)in a peaceful setting, I'd recommend going to North Pond in Lincoln Park. About a 10 minute cab ride from downtown.

Hope you have a good time while here.

May I suggest having a daytime cocktail in the Signature Lounge on the 96th floor of the Hancock building? Ask for a window view and just enjoy! Wonderful views of the Lake and downtown Chicago.

Aria and North Pond have had huge recommendations in other threads.

I only gave him the Grand Lux because he sounded like he wanted tourist stops and that is the one that tourists seem to love, over and over again on these threads.

Bring up the other threads, ComfyShoes for your price range and you will get DETAILS.

Ditka's does have good food. I know a well traveled couple who went there once and go back every time now. But you may want to try North Pond or Aria- see other threads.

Wow! Chicago has many fans!

isabellasu, djkbooks, melissahi, cd, JJ5, hill27, exiledprincess: Thanks! Really appreciate your responses. Yes, exiledprincess, I do plan to have a good time.

Okay, you know what guys, I know exactly where I am going but I am keeping it to myself or someone will try to talk me out of it When I am back, I will tell ya where I went, and if it was worth the "dough" (or for hills27, the "cheese" or for cd, the view ).

Thanks so much.

signature room DAY and NIGHT for drink. worth every penny.

wildfire is great.

we also enjoyed lunch at blackbird.

the chicago culinary academy ( now downtown somewhere)that used to be in kendall college should be good. anxious to try it next trip.

lin, I merely wanted to ask if you reside in Europe or States? You seem to have advice for me, no matter where I go!

i live in spain, but have lived in chicago, and usually go back there every year only to have fun and see family.

I was watching Oprah one day and someone in the audience asked for a restaurant recommendation and she recommended RL's. It is the Ralph Lauren restaurant attached to his signature store on Michigan Ave. The next time I was in Chicago I had a fabulous meal there. Great atmosphere as well. I have been to both Rosebuds restaurants and they were good. All time great Chicago meal was at Charlie Trotter's. Enjoy !

I like exiled princess' advice. North Pond is really special--the decor is gorgeous--very Prairie School--and the setting is lovely. Good food, too. I'd only go to the Signature Room for a drink. For really great food at reasonable prices, we like Avec--it's a scene, tho. A small tapas bar, no reservations, and often a long wait. Very good food score on Zagat's. Blackbird is fantastic and big with the design crowd. Millenium Park is definitely a Chicago landmark, and the Park Grill is great. You can eat outside--just be sure to eat at the restaurant terrace and not the hamburger joint next door--food is not nearly as good.

Also, please do not miss out on Chicago style pizza. Even if you've had imitations of it elsewhere, it really is better here.

Have fun!

Spiagga, The Grill on the Alley are good choices. Consider having a drink at Nomi (in the Park Hyatt).