What's your favorite Chicago restaurant?

Did you have a particular part of the city in mind?

I have different favorites in various categories. But my most memorable restaurant experiences (in a GOOD way) have been at Ambria.

Well, will be staying downtown, won't have a car, and will be visiting Chicago this summer. We like great food, fun atmosphere (no jacket and tie), popular places...

Thanks...

Give a price range or something about the kinds of atmospheres you prefer. Do you like quiet, loud and "in", couples places, ethnic, etc. There are just so many that otherwise it is difficult.

There are some very high end restaurants in Chicago that are world famous. Are those the kinds of places you would like?

Mine would not be one that many others would pick, because restaurants are SO subjective to what YOU like.

There have been many threads on Chicago restaurants - maybe you can look through those and come back with specific questions?

Seeing some positive feedback on Frontier Grill and MK. WE like all kinds of cuisines, even some good deep dish pizza! We like good food so willing to splurge if worth it. We really like to go to the "in" places. Anyone been to MK lately? Thinking of making a reservation for 1 night there.
Thanks!

I do like the Chop House...

I like Ditka's for the Chop Salad and straight "non-tortured" food. I do not like arranged food that is pretty eye candy, but in my opinion either too cold or cold.

I am also looking for something great in Chicago...
Mid-July trip of 9 days!
Staying at the Renaissance on Wacker.
I am looking for a few good places
1. New American (dinner 50 per person)
2. Sushi + Asian Fusion (dinner 50 per person)
3. High end Italian (lunch 25 per person)
4. Thai (lunch 25 per person)
I prefer to stay relatively close to the hotel. Max distance, 10 minutes by cab.
Any suggestions?

For Italian downtown try Quartinos. Its really more of a "food with wine" place but the food is good, the house red is fantastic! and its got a great location downtown. We went there on Mothers day with our son and his girlfriend and this has become their fav place which for them is easily accessible as they live downtown. There are tons of Thai places in Chicago as you can well imagine. This one we have tried and recommend. Its not downtown but is reasonably close.
http://tiparosthai.com/
For Italian there is a place close to this Thai restaurant called the Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder which was featured on the food channel actually. It has a unique style of pizza that attracts customers repeatedly. They put the pizza ingredients in a ceramic bowl, put a crust over that and bake it. Then it is served flipped over with a full cheese topping. My mouth is watering as I recall how good it was. They have a full Italian menu as well and if you are a trivia buff the building directly adjacent was used by Al Capones gang to "case" the garage across the street (which is now vacant) where the infamous St. Valentines massacre occured. Where elsa can you get that kind of "atmosphere" . Have fun. Larry

Osteria Via Stato, have heard raves about lunch and dinner from two different sources.

Oven Grinders is unique- very different.

www.metromix will give you distances and locations to any rec's given here.

Trattoria #10 in the Loop near theatres is great for a lunch. Specials, salads, and Butternut Squash Ravioli are good choices.

Since no one else has responded about MK, I'll chime in. I was not wowed by it. The food was fine, but nothing to dream about or make a special trip back for. The atmosphere was pretty blase, too. Restaurants that have made me go WOW! include Blackbird and Arun's.

Butternut Squash Ravioli is my absolute favorite dish... if it is slightly sweet and not sitting in a pool of grease.
I am serious, I will go to a restaurant just for this dish!
Please tell me how is it served at Trattoria #10!!!

I second Quartino's, especially on a beautiful summer evening when you can eat outdoors. It's fun casual grazing: order a few plates, eat them, then order more. For more serious (but not trendy) dining, we love RL: Dover Sole, veal chop, or a great hamburger!

TXTravel Pro -

My absolute favorite Italian Restaurant is Coco Pazzo. It's more Tuscan-style food, but the quality, service and presentation are exquisite.

As for sushi -- my favorite is Sushi Naniwa on Ohio St. Have also heard good things about Oysy, and my DD *loved* Sushi Samba Rio. Sai Cafe is supposed to be the best in town -- it's in Lincoln Park.

Enjoy Chicago!

For Asian fusion how I forgot to mentions Roys is a shame. . Its our favorite go out and celebrate restaurant.

Trattoria #10 is not in the same league as some of these mentioned here which have immense choices, but it is EXCELLENT for lunch. Quiet, downstairs, and simple/elegant. The B.Squash Ravioli are not swimming in anything. No grease at all. They are light, sweet without being oversweet, seasoned perfectly and YUMMY. They serve you a small appetizer gratis and the wine, salad choices are just fresh and perfect- a la carte. There is usually a special that is excellent as well.

I've heard both very good and not so good about Coco Pazzo. I have not been, but my DIL is fussy and a foodie and she didn't like it.

You have SO many choices.

It's a place that I see women, business men in small group lunching on weekdays as well as weekends. I would make a reservation as it gets busy during the prime hours.

Has anyone comments on Tallgrass in Lockport? While in Chicago this summer I will spend a day with a friend in Joliet and want to take him out to a really nice place that evening. Looks just what I'm looking for but was wondering if anyone has been there recently (this year).

For something spicy, if you like Indian food try Gaylords at 678 N. Clark. Its the flagship Indian restaurant in the Chicago area having been in the same location for well over 30 yrs. and its close to downtown.