We have tickets for the Drury Lane Theatre at Water Tower Place for one night and tickets for a play at The Apollo Theatre in Lincoln Park for another night. Even though I have a list of restaurants for the area, suggestions would be appreciated. We like Italian, Mexican and American food,

Forgot to say that we will be staying at The Omni Hotel 676 N. Michigan Avenue

These were the restaurants listed that were very close to The Apollo Theatre. Merlo Ristorante,
Sopranos, O'Flame,. Any comments on these. Other suggestions would be great.

Rosebud on Rush has good Italian. It's at the corner of Rush and Superior, right behind your hotel and only 4 blocks to Drury Lane.

Drury Lane Water Tower is right in the middle of the Mag Mile and close to oodles of restaurants.

Besides Rosebud, there's Carmine's near the Drury Lane for Italian, Rosebud and Carmine's are run by the same restaurant group and the food is pretty similar.

For small plates Italian, there's Quartino, very popular so make a reservation if you are going there. Right across the street from Quartino is Osteria via Stato, the meal is fixed price and they pick everything but the entree for you. For portions get smaller as the meal progresses, you will be thankful as we were stuffed after the pasta and antipasta courses.

There's high end Mexican not too far from the Drury Lane, Frontera Grill and Topolobampbo. Unfortunately the more casual and less expensive of the two (Frontera) does not take reservations and is always crowded, you can get reservations for the other on www.opentable.com.

American food, Grand Lux has good food, it's affiliated with Cheesecake Factory which also has a location near the Drury Lane but Grand Lux is a notch up from CF.

Thanks to all of you who gave me suggestions. I still need ideas for restaurants near The Apollo Theater at 2540 Lincoln Avenue. Even though I
have read reviews , I have always gotten the best tips on this forum. . Also are their places in both areas for sandwiches or dessert and coffee after the theater.

Las Tablas
2965 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-871-2414

Dee-licious and popular Colombian steak place.

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...0,360086.venue

Otherwise you're in a huge bar and cheap eats area. Walk south from the theatre and you will find something.

O'Fame that you found is a very popular casual Italian place - very inexpensive. The pastas are hit or miss, but the thin crust pizza (especially the one with fresh tomato, garlic and olive oil) is quite good, as is the steak sandwich and the salads.

Thank you. We are looking forward to our visit in Chicago.

Is the area around the Apollo Theater safe? Would it be better to take a taxi from The Omni on Michigan Avenue to the Lincoln Park Theater? I have no idea of the distance. Thanks to all of you for your help.

The Apollo Theater is in Lincoln Park. The neighborhood is absolutely fine. If you check the theater's website at www.apollochicago.com, it lists restaurants that are close.

It's about 4 miles from the Omni to the Apollo. You can take the Red Line subway at State and Chicago toward Howard Street. Get off the train at the Fullerton Stop and it's about a 2-block walk.