Chicago - Restaurants and Bars
 

I am taking a girl's weekend trip to Chicago in mid to late April. I've never been to Chicago, but one of my friends has. She loves Bin 36, so we will definitely be eating/drinking there one night. Any other suggestions for hot tables and bars right now in Chicago? We are in our early 30s, and we are staying in the Michigan Avenue area.

I love Cafe Iberico - http://www.cafeiberico.com/.

Fun food, great sangria, and always very busy. Also, right in the Magnificent Mile area.

Cafe Iberico is always a winner! You'll have very long waits there, though, so be prepared.

You might want to check out Chicago's "Time Out" magazine or website--they often have good restaurant listings. And www.metromix.com is a good resource, too.

We stayed in Bucktown and had dinner at The Meritage Wine Bar & Restaurant.
It was a great meal. If we hadn't had reservations for the next night we'd probably have gone back.
For example, DH had an appetizer that had chunks of lobster in a sauce that was served in a small pumpkin.

It sounds as if you want to go to a "happening" place. Sushi Samba Rio I think would fit your needs, Even if you don't like sushi, the food is varied and the bar is very good. Just google it and you'll see for yourself. It's on Wells close to where you're staying. Also for drinks and fun try the Big Bar at the Hyatt Regency by the river. Have fun

Personally I would avoid Iberico. The food is okay and there are just so many other excellent choices. I recently dined at Japonais on Chicago Ave. and had a terrific experience. Very trendy and great food -- fun girls night out place and you just might see a celeb there.

That Sushi Samba Rio was on "Check Please" a couple of months ago, and REALLY looked like a winner. I would go there myself, for sure, if I was staying close to it, because it looked like it really was circuses, besides the "bread".