Chicago restaurant recommendations
 

We're looking to try a new restaurant on our next visit to Chicago. We love going to North Pond near Lincoln Park, but would like to try a steakhouse (prime rib for the hubby) or something Italian. We'll be staying on Michigan Avenue, and are willing to take a cab. No need to stay within walking distance of the hotel. Budget ~$100 +/- for 2.

Any recommendations?

The best prime rib I ever ate was at the Chicago Chop House.

Benny's Prime Chop House is steak and Italian food and they do both well with a fantastic wine list. I think you could stay within that budget without wine, but check out their website (the menu lists prices): http://www.bennyschophouse.com/
They are on Wabash across the street from Trump, open for lunch and dinner.

Bella Bacino's on East Wacker Drive, right near the river, is a friendly Italian restaurant, with good food and reasonable prices.

I ate there several times when I stayed at the nearby Hotel Monaco.

FOr excellent Italina our favoirte is Topo Gigio on N. Wells. For steaks ( not sure about prime rib) Gibson's is tops in Chicago.

For Italian, Volare on Grand Street just off of Michigan Ave towards Navy Pier. I am directionally challenged or I would tell you the direction. It does not look like much from the outside but the food is wonderful.

I have also eaten at Bella Bacino's. That is good for lunch.

Hi Jill_h,

Take a look at...
Sepia
http://sepiachicago.com/

Piccolo Sogno (Italian -- really nice outdoor seating)
http://piccolosognorestaurant.com/

The Boka group has wonderful restaurants:
http://bokagrp.com/

And Yelp is a great site to check out all restaurants.
http://www.yelp.com/chicago

Happy eating!

Thanks for the replies. I checked out Chicago Chop House and most all of the google reviews mention that it is extremely overpriced. I noticed on their website that they don't list the prices on the menu. Hmmm.

Everything else is looking good; just have to decide.

As far as the Chicago Chop House, it was expensive but not any more than a top steak house in the DC where I am, or NY area.

I really enjoyed Glenn's Diner in the Ravenswood, Lakeview neighborhood area, right next to the subway to, so easy to get to, yet on a quiet street.

I had a pasta dish while my friend really enjoyed a seafood dish there (I think that is what they are known for), but I quite enjoyed the pasta, and they have an extensive beer selection.

Good quality food, relaxed ambiance, I recommend it.

anyone else???

Take a look at www.lthforum.com for interesting discussion of food in Chicago.

I hope that you don't think I'm being rude by saying this but I truly believe this: It's a real shame when visitors come to a major metropolitan area where they could indulge in so many different types of cuisine - but instead settle for something such as steak or Italian which they can get practically anywhere. They are missing *opportunities*.

However, if you are interested in these options:

Italian: Riccardo Tratoria (Lincoln Park, not too far from North Pond, so you are familiar with the area) or Piccolo Sogno (River West)

Steakhouse (and - maybe I'll sneak a little ethnicity in because it's an Argentine steakhouse): Tango Sur on N. Southport. Just don't go for the busiest times (i.e., prime dinner hours) because you'll be faced with long waits. It's BYOB. With the money you save, go to the Music Box Theatre or a live theatre production somewhere in the Lakeview or Lincoln Park neighborhood for a full evening of fun. You have many choices: Apollo (The Million Dollar Quartet may be still playing), TimeLine, Victory Gardens, Steppenwolf, Royal George, etc.

American: Perennial Virant
perennialchicago.com

exiled -- we live in a major metropolitan area and have many *opportunities* to eat many different types of cuisine. we just happen to like steak and italian food and that's what we want to eat on this visit to Chicago.

That said, it looks like we'll be trying either Riccardo Trattoria or Piccolo Sogno. Both look enticing, and I do like the reviews of the patio at Piccolo Sogno.

thanks for everyone's input.

Exiled,
I don't know why you would thumb your nose at going for steaks or Italian in Chicago when it's known for those two things. There are some good recommendations here. I'd add Gene & Georgetti to the steak list, along with Wildfire if you want something a little cheaper and more casual, and Mia Francesa in Wrigleyville for Italian. If you really want to venture out away from the Loop and River North, I'd also recommend Trattoria Tullo in Lincoln Square. It's a bit of a hike on the Brown line, but it's really good and it's in a cool neighborhood.

andrews, the point was that you can get the some types of cuisine anywhere.

And, since the OP didn't indicate on their personal information from where they hail, there was no way of knowing they live in a metropolitan area. We constantly get the same requests from people who don't live in cities, because they feel uncomfortable or hesitant about experiencing different cuisines.

Yes, Chicago *used* to have stockyards years ago and so was known for the steaks. Nowadays, you only have a few vendors which provide for the various restaurants.

Italian...IMHO, Chicago is not known for its Italian - unless you are speaking of Spiaggia/Cafe Spiaggia. Mia Francesca was a local chain but is now going into the national chain mode.

If I take the heat for mentioning that I think visitors should try something new, then so be it. The reason we are here, volunteering our services for a travel forum, is to open a visitors eyes to the possibilities.

Definitely Piccolo Sogno. It has a beautiful patio -- hopefully the weather will cooperate. Topo Gigio also has a great outside and good food. Cocco Pazzo is also very good. Davanti Enoteca is a small plate Italian in the Little Italy area that's hot right now. If you want to do "Old School" definitely not fancy, but good, La Scarola is an option.

Where we ended up eating:

The Yolk (on Michigan) for b'fast each day.
Eleventh Diner (on Wabash) for lunch on Sunday.
Weber's Grill for steak
North Pond for whatever is on the menu. It changes often due to what is in season. We go here every time we visit Chicago. Absolutely LOVE IT! It's north of the zoo off of Lake View (you have to walk under a somewhat sketchy tunnel, but the view from the restaurant is beautiful.
Riccardo Tratoria - loved it. Food was excellent (ate waaayyy too much!) Will definitely return.

Thanks for all the recommendations. Could not get into Piccolo Sogno, but will try next time.

forgot to add: Ricardo Trattoria reminded me of a restaurant we dined in Rome near the Pantheon. Brought back a lot of memories.

Thanks for making the culinary portion of my next trip to Chicago much easier, jill_h!!

Out of curiousity, exiledprincess, for what IS Chicago known, other than deep-dish pizza? What "opportunities" would you recommend? BTW, I live in a small rural mountain community where getting a great steak or quality Italian food is pretty difficult........ ;)