I am looking for some ideas on a place for 3 people to have brunch (3pm) on Thanksgiving day in Chicago. Have already done Four Seasons and Lawry's in years past. Am looking for something new--preferably not at an upscale hotel. thanks!

A couple of questions: do you want a buffet or do you want to order from the menu? Do you want to try ethnic food or more traditional American food?
Bistro 110 is usually fun, but they don't normally take reservations and I don't know what their Thanksgiving schedule is.

Suggestions for either buffet options or ala carte are both welcome! And it doesn't necessarily need to be a super-traditional Thanksgiving day spread, either. Basically, any input is great!

Try The Outpost on North Clark Street in the Lakeview/Wrigleyville area.

Also The Pump Room in the Ambassador East Hotel in the Gold Coast.

A funky restaurant in Wicker Park that might also serve brunch is Soul Kitchen.

You'll have to call these places to see if they are open on Thanksgiving. In my experience, downtown and North Michigan Avenue are deserted on that day except for the hotels. Places slightly farther out, or newer places that have an aggresive marketing approach, would be more likely to stay open on Thanksgiving.

With that in mind, North Pond Cafe would be a great choice - gorgeous setting, great American food. It's in Lincoln Park, and I don't mean the neighborhood - it's actually in the park, 3 blocks north of Fullerton.

Zealous has wonderful, artistically presented food, and is going all-out to make their move to the city successful. River North location.

Restaurant Zinc has nice atmosphere in a great neighborhood not far from Wrigley Field - it's upscale food, not a neighborhood place, although there is a more casual annex also.

Lino's on Ontario Street at Franklin - Bill Clinton eats here. Terrific Italian, and that's saying a lot in Chicago.

If you do wind up at a hotel, try Prairie in the Hyatt on Printer's Row. Definitely open every day, it has very good American food based on Midwestern ingredients. Never been disappointed here. Prairie-school architecture in the dining area gives a nice feeling of intimacy.

See reviews at chicagomag.com or searchchicago.com

Wishbone!

Just because Clinton eats in some restaurant is no recommendation.

M

Monica -

Agreed about the Bill Clinton issue. I actually prefer some of Phil Stefani's other restaurants. I'm also unclear why "upscale" and "neighborhood" have been apparently defined as mutually exclusive. There are plenty of upscale restaurants in the "neighborhoods" of Chicago - and plenty of poor/overrated food in the downtown/touristy area. The reverse, of course is also true - I'm just stating that I don't believe a neighborhood restuarant (especially in a city like Chicago) can't be upscale.