Will be at the Hilton at 700 S. Michigan this weekend. Any great (but casual and not outrageously priced) restaurants in that vicinity?

Many thanks.

I stayed at the Essex next door a couple of years ago, and there wasn't much in the area. We ate dinner at Kitty O'Shea's (I believe in the Hilton) one night; it was OK but definitely not "great." But honestly, the rest of the time we weren't close to our hotel. We were in the Loop or near the river, and ate near whatever we were doing. So personally I wouldn't worry much about finding restaurants close to the hotel.

I should clarify - there wasn't much in the area that we saw. Locals might know of some places we never found!

Try the Italian Village on Monroe - it has great atmosphere and somewhat reasonable prices.

Also, check out www.metromix.com or www.opentable.com for restaurant ideas, check out menus, etc...

There are several places in Printers Row about 2 blocks west of the Hilton. There's Bar Louie in the old Dearborn Station at Dearborn & Polk and Blackie's another block west at Clark.

There are four or five places around Dearborn & Harrison including a Thai restaurant, Starbucks and Orange, which is supposed to have good breakfasts.

Millenium Park has the Park Grill and also there are 2 new restaurants across the street from the park, one is The Gage which is getting great reviews. The other is Tavern at the Park.

Oysy is a sushi restaurant a block or two further south - right on Michigan. They have an area out front to eat outside - right across from Grant Park (albeit across Michigan Avenue).

If you want Mexican and are willing to walk 6 or so blocks, I would recommend Zapatista (1300 block of Wabash - so a block west and 6 blocks south).

Exposure is a Tapas Place right next door to Zapatista - not Spanish tapas, but "American" tapas. Outdoor seating available.

There is also an Italian place across the street (Giocco) which I think is only "OK" but I know others that really like it.

On the 1400 block of S Michigan is Grace O'Malley's - a nice pub/restaurant. A bit pricier across the street is Chicago Firehouse - steaks.

Overall, this area is not overly populated with restaurants, but you should be able to find something you like. Enjoy.