My husband and I are taking a Getaway to Chicago - hotel is booked and we have tickets to a Cubs game. I am trying desperately to get show tickets to Oprah and would like restaurant recommendations. Upscale, but not overly pretentious preferred. Thanks.

Last week we had meals at the Chicago Chop house and Lawry's prime rib. Both were enjoyable dinner restaurants and are well known in Chicago. Both restaurants are on Ontario Street I think. The Navy pier is beautiful at night and dont miss the view from the Hancock building. GO have a drink in their lounge.

I was enchanted by Le Colonial on Rush Street. The decor was in dark woods, shutters, palm trees. The bar upstairs is very attractive as well. The menu is interesting and not too expensive. Their website does not do it justice:
http://www.savvydiner.com/chicago/lecolonial

If I were on a romantic getaway, I wouldn't go to the Chop House - the food is good but heavy and the decor dark, masculine, clubby - and old. Better for a testoterone-charged business dinner.

I do second the recommendation for Le Colonial, call early and try to recommend seats on the balcony. Or, get later reservations for drinks and appetizers (and great people watching) in their sexy upstairs bar. One of my favorite dates!

I think MK is Chicago's best upscale restaurant right now. With exposed brick, white linens and waitstaff dressed in Banana Republic, its a fine dining experience without the attitude - the menu boasts "Chicken" and "Another Chicken" and the "Cookies and Cream" dessert is absolutely fabulous. I actually really like it for lunch - they serve one of the best cheeseburgers in the city!

Also on my short list is Frontera Grill/Topolobambo in River North, Blackbird and Grace in the West Loop area, and Rambutan and Echo (both serve smaller portion tapas to share) and Le Bouchon (you'll feel like you are in France) in Bucktown/Wicker Park.

To eat like a local, stop by a Penny's Noodles (Lincoln Park, Wrigleyville, or Bucktown) for one of the best values in the city. Our dinner for two usually costs about $12 (the Wrigleyville location features a BYOB). It might be a good post-Cubs destination if you're feeling too hot for a supernice evening out.

Have fun! And try not to be disappointed if you don't get Oprah tickets, its almost impossible - it took me YEARS to get tix and it wasn't all that exciting...

A few other restaurant choices: Geja's - in Lincoln Park a romantic setting with a fondue style meal; Heaven on Seven - New Orleans style cajun food; Gibson's - a less "testoreone filled" steak house; - Harry Caray's - for a real taste of Chicago and pretty good Italian food as well; Signature Room on top of Hancock Building - wonderful view and nice Sunday Brunch as well - Tuscany's - wonderful Italian food in Little Italy. These are just a few of my favorite's. Check out Zagat's as well as metromix.com for more suggestions.

As far as restaurants I would above all mentioned previously, recommend Spago and Nomi. Sapgo is the Wolfgang Puck establishment on Dearborne. The food is wonderful. However, a better recommendation is Nomi. Its in the Park Hyatt hotel. Its a new restaurant so many may not be familiar. It was easily the best meal I have eaten ever. However, be advised that it also very expensive. The quality and service are worth it.