Fine casual dining in Chi-town
 

I'll be at a conference in Chicago this next week and wanted to end it with a nice weekend with my wife. We both like to try fusion Asian food, and I'm looking at both Red Light and Yoshi's Cafe. The catch is that we'd prefer not to get all dolled up for dinner but want to be semi-casually dressed. Would appreciate if someone in the know could comment on whether either of those two aforementioned establishments would be too stuffy for us.

Ben Pao's still around? We had a few good meals there. Sounds like what you may be looking for. Heather? ;-)<BR>Kal

I went to Yoshi's the time before last that I was in Chicago. I can't quite remember what people were wearing bu I know that I wasn't wearing a jacket and I don't remember feeling out of place. The food I had there was excellent. Another place, in the same area, that I went to last time in Chicago is Jack's On Halstead. Great place!

Had a great dinner at Roy's and it is Asian fusion.

Yoshi's was awesome food and you do not need to get dressed up--<BR>hubs did not wear a jacket

The food at Yoshi's Cafe was very fresh and delicious. I remember having a dish which contained 3 different kind of fish.

Thanks to all! Sounds like Yoshi's will be the way to go.

dudler,<BR>Please consider Vong's Thai Kitchen on Hubbard. They have great Asian fusion fare in a casual yet upscale atmosphere. The appetizer sampler is awesome. Best of all prices are fairly reasonable.<BR>If you want to really splurge try Arun's. They have a fixed price ($75)menu that must have 12-15 courses. Unbelievable dining experience. It's located outside of the downtown area so it will require a short taxi ride.<BR>JoeG

Oops ... missed this one, Kal, but loads of great suggestions. One good (or bad, depending upon your point of view) thing about Chicago is you'll find all manner of dress in most restaurants, excepting very expensive places. Yoshi's, Arun's (especially), Vong's, and Red Light all are good.

Arun's provides the best thai food outside of Bangkok -- but very formal and expensive. Yoshi's is a mainstay in Chicago and truly a special place. For downtown, the more casual would be Vong's, Red Light (but can get pricey), Le Colonial (very hip decor &amp; great bar &amp; location), or there's a new place called Opera, in the south loop, where I believe the chef from Arun's (or Arun himself) has moved. So many choices!