TRU in Chicago
 

Anyone been there lately? Is food as good as they say? Any great restaurants (seafood, French, Italian, Polish) in that area but much less expensive? Thanks

Anyone?

I was at TRU in 2000...not very lately, sorry.

I had a great time! Dined by myself and really enjoyed it. I had been to Charlie Trotter the night before so I was still a little full! I had a 5 course menu (I think), instead of the tasting menu. It was really good. I remember the multiple desserts most of all...seems they brought some sort of candied gooseberry between desserts. It's been so long I can't tell you specific courses.

I do recall they were very friendly about letting me select 1/2 glasses of wine to go with each course. I also remember my waiter got me a cab and walked me out to it after dinner. A nice touch.

Although these places are terribly expensive, you spent hours there and are completely entertained, as well as fed. No need for further diversions.

Thank you Litespeed_Chick for your comment.
We still need more suggestions as we are going to be there for 5 nights

I suggest Chowhound.com, the Chicago board, for great, local, up-to-the minute suggestions.

I would suggest Pane Caldo, Coco Pazzo Cafe or Bice (all Italian)or Bistro 110 which is French. I have never been to Tru but I assume these are all much less expensive than Tru. These are all good restaurants but Tru is one of the few 4* restaurants in Chicago.

Check out www.metromix.com for great recommendations. The new hot restaurant is Japonais on Chicago and Larrabee. Not as high end as Tru, but a very swanky atmosphere with great food. Also, love MK and NoMi for special evenings.

Haven't been to Tru but it usually ends up on the top 5 list for Chicago restaurants.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab (not to be confused with Joe's Crabshack) at 60 E. Grand has the best crab cakes I think I've ever had and everything else we tried was good too. It is busy on the weekends so get reservations, you can do that at www.opentable.com. I've heard good things about Hugo's Frog Bar at 1024 N. Rush but haven't been there myself.

I don't think there are any Polish restaurants in the downtown area, you have to go out to the neighborhoods for that. We tried Hortex over the summer and it was great but it's quite a distance from the city center.

There are bunches of Italian restaurants, my favorite is Rosebud at 1500 W. Taylor, about 4 miles outside the city center. If that's too far, there's another location at 720 N. Rush (I don't think it's as good as the original), Carmine's at 1043 N. Rush (same family of restaurants as Rosebud) and Volare at 201 E. Grand. For higher end Italian there is Spiaggia at 980 N. Michigan but it might end up setting you back as much as Tru.

Thank you for great suggestions