If you are into gourmet...then you should try Tru or Charlie Trotters, both well known in Chi Town. Spiaggia for Italian also top notch. If you like Mexican, Fontera Grill by Rick Bayless is well known and just great for casual dining. But I second having a drink at the Signature Lounge to get a beautiful view of Chicago or NoMi at the Hyatt. Wouldn't agree with Oprah's choice -- RL is good for a cocktail after shopping, not dinner. If you want a unique bar and dining experience, check out Tizzi Mellul for middle eastern food (check spelling). Great atmosphere and food. Again, use www.metromix.com for your location and they will provide numerous options for any cuisine you like.

Folks, the OP indicated above that they want to spend in the range of $75-100 pp, excluding wine.

Comfyshoes, the recommendations of Spiaggia (but not Cafe Spiaggia), Charlie Trotter's, and Tru would give you a bill several times that budget.

RL is one of our favorites and a great location just off Michigan Avenue at the Water Tower. Even nice for a Sunday brunch. They have outdoor dining but inside is beautiful. We like the new Quartino's for Italian food, great for children and adults.

The DH and I have a new favorite, Carmine's. It is one of the Rosebud restaurants and it is on Rush St. One of the specials the last time we were there was skate (a fish), it was fabulous. We will eat at this restaurant every time we are in the city.

Lots of good suggestions here. I'd also recommend Gene & Georgetti's for steak -- one of the legendary "old school Chicago" restaurants.

Can I also get some recommendations for the same area for $20-40 per person? We are travelling with 2 teenagers, one lunch will be a pizza place I'm sure & looking for suggestions for the other lunch and one dinner. We like a place with a view though its not a must-have.

I think you as a family will enjoy Ed Debevic's for lunch. It is a 50's place where the staff sasses you in very funny ways! Read here: http://search.cityguide.aol.com/chic...cs/v-108550331

Also let me recommend Uno's for pizza. The orginal Chicago pizza. If it were me, I would go to the Pantheon in Greektown for dinner. http://chicago.citysearch.com/review/3740432

My Dear Fodorites,

After this amazing thread of a ton of advice, I chose Chicago Chop House (it is the only one around.... Wildfire is great but a chain... to me...) http://www.chicagochophouse.com/ for a wonderful filet mignon dinner coupled with calamari and oysters for appetizers with two colleagues who ate steak as well. The next night, we went to the Signature room located at the top of John Hancock building (http://www.signatureroom.com/). Yes, the food was pricey and good enough, specifically good presentation but nothing spectacular. I tried their "signature" wedge salad of romaine hearts, crispy pancetta and tomato with Maytag Blue cheese; and seared duck breast with curried lentil and basmati rice pilaf, tat soi, and some kind of chutney. One of my colleagues tried the same entree while the other chose Scallops with morel mushrooms, asparagus, topped with soy glaze. Anyway, Signature Room's main selling point is the location and the views. Took half a dozen great picture of Chicago downtown with diminishing light as the sun was setting, with Lake Michigan, dozens of sail boats, and couple large schooners in the background.

Combined with a stay at http://www.swissotel.com/, a great short, enjoyable business trip if you ask me.

THANK you all so much. :)

Thanks ComfyShoes for the update!

I'm for the less expensive neighborhood type restaurants: we lived on Walton for 15 years. I'd suggest Amarit Thai on State and Delaware/less expensive and much better food than Le Colonial. Bistro 101 on Water Tower Park (an old standby but still reliable), Big Bowl at Oak and Rush, Bistro Zinc on Rush, lunch at the Food Court in Water Tower Place Mall, Wildfire, Sunday buffet at the Signature Room on top of the Hancock or at the Four Seasons. Reza's on Erie(?) was mentioned and is a good suggestion. Also in the area behind the Merchandise Mart there is good Indian at Klay Oven. I forgot about Blackbird maybe because we were so underwhelmed - try Marche on Randolph instead especially for their Monday night Price fix (I never was good a French)

Thanks. May be next time.

Nevisian, I tried Amarit Thai last thursday. Thanks for a good suggestion.

Is there a restaurant at the top of Sears Tower? Thanks!