A group of us 6 high school girlfriends are turning 40 this year and have planned a long weekend in Chicago, June 5-8th. We already have our hotel picked out and bought Wicked tix, but are still foggy on where to eat? Any suggestions for...
1.) Thurs Eve - casual, comfy neighborhood type of restaurant, preferably Italian. Something to bring us back to our midwestern roots
2.) Fri Eve - Hot, Trendy, completely unique to Chicago! of course good food too
3.) Sat eve - light fare and drinks before wicked.

Can you provide a general area of your hotel? Do you want to cab it to restaurants or something in walking distance? Price range?? There are so many options maybe we can help narrow them down with this info.

For your unique to chicago restaurant there is no place better than Alinea. Amazing food delivered in a fun and unique way. Truly an experience that you will always remember. Book WAY in advance!

Before the show think about heading to Blackbird for cool drinks and nibbles.

Happy 40th! mine is later this year- yikes!

We will be staying at the Hampton Inn Suites, just 1 block from Michigan and don't mind taking a cab to a great place to have a memorable dinner. Of course I have read much a-do about TRU, but when I called the guy on the phone was such a SNOB! We don't mind paying for a good dinner. We are looking for a mix to keep us occupied for the 3 nights we are there. Ultimately, whatever the price or type of food, we want it to be uniquely Chicago and memorable.

I thought House of Blues was a Chicago tourist trap?

Here are some suggestions:
Fun tapas place: Cafe Iberico, 739 N. LaSalle. It's a good time.
Italian: Either Rosebud (LaRosetta in the Loop) or try anything in Little Italy, about a $5 cab ride from you (more neighborhood type).
Trendy: Frontera Grill (reservations needed and pricey) (Mexican).
There's the Atwood Cafe, right by where Wicked is playing that might work for you for before the show.
Check out www.metromix.com, Chicago for all different types of restaurants, etc and it will show what's going on that weekend.
If you don't want to be traveling too far by taxi, stay in Loop, Little Italy, Greek Town, River North, North Michigan Avenue. Those are all relatively close to you with Little Italy being the farthest.

great suggestions judy

Did a similar get together last June with 8 girls total. Brasserie Jo booked a private room for us, there was a charge and a deposit is required to hold the reservation but it was worth it. It's a short walk over to Millenium Park or to other spots along Michigan Ave.

Brasserie JO
59 W Hubbard
Chicago, IL. 60610
p 312-595-0800
f 312-595-0808
www.brasseriejo.com

It should be clarified that Brasserie Jo is nearly a mile from Millenium Park. It's OK, but I wouldn't call it memorable.

Alinea is an excellent choice; I've heard good things about Fronterra as well. Avec and Schau (sp) seem to be mentioned frequently as well.

I suggest you go to the Chicago Chowhound forum, www.chowhound.com.

Very friendly folks who *really* know Chicago food.

I thought you meant it was your 40th trip to Chicago. I opened it to see what people could possibly recommend to someone who'd been here 39 times!