I will be meeting a friend in Chicago next Sunday. Would like to go to an excellent restaurant where we can have some great conversation, privacy, and a great meal.
I will be staying at a hotel near the airport and my friend lives in the city. I don't mind cabbing it into the city. Type of restaurant is not important, nor is price - the most important thing is excellent food and service and quiet.
Any ideas?

Fondue Stube. Where in "the city" does your friend live? I don't know the exact address but it is on Peterson Ave. near California (north side of Chicago). Great for Fondue. Quiet. A fondue meal takes a long time so this would be a good place to have a conversation.

Try Charlie Trotter's....excellent.

Trotter's is typically needs a reservation a month or two in advance. Try NoMi, Avenues, Tru, Spiaggia or Everest Room. All are top of the line, quiet and great food.

everest room is a bloated, inflated
waste of time and food. the place
where people tell you to go if they
have no idea what personality is. they
repeat the suggestion cuz it is "said"
to be good. don't waste your time.

Tru. More hip than Trotters and downtown so fun to walk around after dinner. Only drawback (to me in te summer is you hvae to wear a jacket).

Not fond of Avenues (overrated), Everest (bad location and suburban), Nomi (bad service). Would recommend Nomi for a drink as nice outdoor terrace.

Spiagia is good with great view.