Chicago Visit July27-29 2003
 

Hello, I am surprising my husband, who is turning 50 this year, with a trip to Chicago. I am looking for a good restaurant in Wrigleyville for a dinner before the Cubs game on the 29th, and also looking for a restaurant recommendation for Monday night. My husband is an awesome cook, so one priority for us is really good food. We are staying @ the Drake. Thank you!

Not sure about a great place to eat in Wrigleyville, but as for Monday night...I like Nine (it has been about 2 yrs since I was there, but it was incredible), Brasserie Joe--excellent food and even my 10yr old sister's favorite (we have raised her well!).

Hiya,
Not to many great restuarants in wrigleyville..BUT..there is a pretty good italian restuarant right across from the park on clark and waveland called Tuscany..We go there all the time..Pasta is plentiful..they serve a wonderful mix of olive oil, garlic and parmessan cheese spread with a basket of bread before your meal. I highly recommend it..

Have a great trip!

My top two recommendations in the area are: The Outpost - 3 blocks south of Wrigley Field at 3438 N. Clark St., (773) 244-1166. Also recommend Otro Mas on Southport (longer walk, short cab ride) at 3651 N. Southport, (773) 348-3200.

The only problem is that both restaurants open at 5:30 p.m. for dinner and I see that it' a 7:05 p.m. start for the game.

Tuscany is good, too, and opens at 11:00 a.m. so no issue with not having enough time for dinner.

For the other special dinner, I really enjoyed my first visit to Spring last week. I believe it recently was nominated for the James Beard best new restaurant award. Reservations are difficult, but you have quite a while to book. It's located at Damen and North Avenue in renovated bathhouses in Bucktown ... the decor is great and food outstanding. The phone number is (773) 395-7100. The restaurant is reviewed on www.metromix.com.

Mia Francesca is a favorite for us before/after Cubs games. Excellent Italian food and a very lively atmosphere. Located 3311 N Clark (opens at 5, and they now take reservations!).

My favorite restaurant in Chicago is MK. Wonderful all around dining experience...esp. the desserts! 312-482-9179.

Spring is award winning and excellent, as well as the newest sensation, Opera (named to Conde Nast's Hot Tables list, citing the best new restaurants. It was actually the only restaurant in Chicago. Spring was on the list last year.) Not sure if they are open Monday's.

Tru gets rave reviews, never been personally, walking distance to the Drake. Also Frontera Grill/Topolobampo is a true foodies dream! Again, not sure about Mondays, but you will need to call for reservations anyway!

Check out Metromix.com for comprehensive listings/reviews!!

Have a wonderful trip and let us know what you decide!!

Kristy

We always like to go to Tuscany after the game. I love their roasted garlic with the bread. They have a great Pear Ravioli also. There is a great little restaurant near the Drake called Pane Caldo which would be nice for Monday night. They have a table for two which is actually set in the front window (like a bay window). You have to ask for it when you make reservations. Great place to people watch. Check out www.metromix.com for ideas on restaurants and for reader reviews.

In Wrigleyville, I'd recommend Mia Francesca and Tuscany. There's also Penny's Noodles which is not expensive and has good thai food. As for Monday night, Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab...one of my favorite Chicago restaurants.

By Wrigley, The Outpost is very good, I'd pick Tuscany over Mia Francesca for Italian and the new Platiyo has a great atmosphere for Tex/Mex food!
Good food downtown MK or Topolabampo. Gene & Georgettis for steak.

Hi,just came back from Chicago with fiance. Went to 3 baseball games,2 at wrigley,1 at cell field. impressed with BOTH. The sox are underrated and it is a nicer ballpark than i thought. Westayed at the Fairmont and they have a great restaurant in the hotel. The Arie...brand new,great food,pricey,nice atmosphere.It is south of the Drake,but everything is so accessible there either by train/taxi.Near Wrigley there are so many taverns to choose from...adds to the atmosphere,even if you just drop in from a drink and some wings.For breakfast...we really enjoyed Ann Sather's on N clark...also,the original pancake house is good as well.....hope you have a great trip...it was our best trip ever....very very interesting city....saw oprah,second city,those games....and enjoyed the great architecture of Chicago...Have a great trip...as good as a cook he is...he must try Giordano's pizza...it ieven stunned me,excellent!!!!!!

Hi,
For Wrigleyville restaurants, I second The Outpost. Tuscany is good as well, but I think it is not as good as the one on Taylor St. I think that the Mia Francesca on Clark does not take reservations, but that may have changed. Otro Mas is also good, as is Deleece on Southport.
For Monday night restaurants I like Cafe Spiagga, Le Colonial and NoMi. Tons of great restaurant info can be found on the Chicago Reader website (www.chireader.com)

Wrigleyville -- Tuscany is good, but there are no great restaurants in the area. I'd go there. A plus is that they take reservations. Call early.

Monday -- Unfortunately, Spring is closed. Instead, I'd go to Spiaggia for their 4-star Italian offerings. If that doesn't work, then MK is a great alternative.

Check out www.chicago.citysearch.com
Another website is www.opentable.com

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions! I am still working on what to fit into this trip!

I have a question for Olsen1503, how did you get Oprah tickets and was Second City a good choice?

I would definitely recommend Second City. They have 2 stages and put on really great shows. You can check out their website and Oprah also has her own website with ticket info.

Dining at Arun's is a real indulgence. The BEST thai food - I should really call it art - that you will ever eat. It isn't far from Wrigley, but I don't know if they open early enough for you to make your game. As to the Monday problem, both Red Light and Bin 36 are open and I would recommend either. Go to chireader.com for more information and reviews.

Hi Fitol Family...we got our Oprah tickets through our concierge. it was my 1st time using a concierge...and i manged to get oprah tickets,the day before the show.it was great!!i believe the website,will be a longer wait....all of the big hotels in Chicago have accesssibility to tickets for her shows. she tapes two a day,tues,wed,thurs...and its freeto boot!!...second city is very funny,thoroghly enjoyed it...small theater,pricey,but they have some great talents there...feel free to email me at [email protected]....i would love to add my insight...darren

Yoshi's and Jack's on Halstead both have excellent food. I liked the atmosphere at Jack's better.

Again, I'd like to hop in here and second Jack's. Great food and an eclectic neighborhood crowd. Arun's is also a wonderful dining experience - well worth the price.