Where to have lunch in Chicago this Saturday
 

My friends from Italy have suggested a day trip by train into the windy city to visit the Art Institute and have a nice lunch. I'm at a loss where we might have lunch. They are suggesting fish? I take the train into the city (which is what we are doing) fairly regularly, but I am on a shopping trip and grab something very simple for lunch, when and if I get hungry.

I had thought of the restaurant at the Park Hyatt (NoMi ?) or perhaps the 95th?

Open for suggestions, and will I need to make reservations (we don't really know how long we might be at the art museum though).

Thanks.

Try Joe's for fish or crab. http://www.joes.net/menu/

I loved the Purple Pig, but not sure if they take reservations.

Purple Pig was just now recommended at our favoritelocal restaurant. The proprietor and husband do the train to Chicago fairly regularly, and she says that Purple Pig is their current fave. Must check out the menu! Thanks!

I found the Terzo Piana restaurant right IN the Art Institute WELL worth a lunch time visit. I was taken there by foodies, and I certainly understand why! It looks they have at least one fish option, and seriously, I would present this to your friends under any circumstance -- it is definitely worth considering!

http://www.terzopianochicago.com

I had suggested Terzo, but my friends were not too excited about eating Italian food, so we probably will do either NiMo or Purple Pig.

All suggestions appreciated! Thanks.

Shaw's on Hubbard.
Very nice raw bar, good crab, specially the soft shell but also salad, fish...
Good wine list, excellent choice of beers.
For dessert a very good Key lime pie.
I've tried both restaurant and the more casual "bar" and for a lunch the bar is an excellent option
Erik

Erik, I just looked up Shaws. They don't serve lunch on Saturdays so that's out. But thank you!

We dine at Terzo Piano in the Art Institute even if we are not visiting the museum. Chef used to also be the Spaiggia chef.

Berghoff is just west of the AI. An easy walk. We really enjoyed the French Market (see the Eataly thread and cross references therein). Casual, yes, but a huge variety, including fish. The French market would require a cab or a long walk.

Is it specially for this saturday ?
I was there 2 weeks ago and I had lunch there and on their Cicago's site, in the Oyster's bar, lunch is daily...
This is copy of their site's informations..
"Oyster Bar Hours
Open all day
LUNCH
Monday - Sunday: 11:30am - 4:00pm
Dinner
Monday - Thursday: 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday & Saturday: 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Sunday: 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Every Day - Select Oysters 1/2 Price: 4:00pm - 6:00pm"
Erik

My Italian friends just studied the menu at Purple Pig and are very anxious to try it (unless there is a huge line waiting to go in). I did not know that Blues Fest is going on this week end so I think Chicago will be SUPER busy, not just the typical busy on the weekend! Weather should be delightful in any case.

GT Fish & Oyster in River North.

..."The French market would require a cab or a long walk."

Nope. You can take the Wendella water taxi from their N. Michigan Avenue dock (by the Wrigley Building) to the Union Station/Ogilvie dock - and walk from there. www.chicagowatertaxi.com Look at the map.

BTW, since you are coming on a Saturday, there are bridge lifts scheduled. Since it is (still) spring, they open from the west to the east. http://www.chicagoriver.org/get-invo...o-river-museum Click on "Bridge Lift" for details. You don't have to be within the bridge house to see them, of course, but the mechanics of how it is done can be quite interesting to some.

I second GT Fish & Oyster, and NoMi is one of my favorites. The lounge would work well for you, I think. Gorgeous views, either in the lounge area or on the rooftop, and the food is fantastic. But if you need someplace closer to the museum, but enough away from the Blues Fest crowd, Cafe Atwood (in the hotel Burnham) is nice, and I've never had a bad meal there.

http://www.atwoodrestaurant.com/chicago-loop-dining.php
http://www.hyatt.com/gallery/nomi/index.html

Have a great time!

"The French market would require a cab or a long walk."

I took the "L" to the French Market.

We don't have a lot of time in the city (10:30-6:00 approx) so staying in fairly close proximity of museum and North Michigan Ave is a good idea.

Thanks for the link to the bridge openings. Might be interesting, if we happen to catch it going on.

ChgoGal, tell me more about the rooftop at NoMi. Is it dining outside? Top of the Park Hyatt? I think where I have dined in the past was maybe 2nd or 3rd floor, with the large window overlooking Water Tower Park area.

At first I thought we would dine early (11:00ish), but now we are thinking museum first, then late lunch, then a walk along N Michigan Avenue (we want to stop at Sephora) before getting back on the train.

FWIW, the Art Institute can easily occupy a full day.

I miss Chicago and the Art Institute...born in Chicago having lived in Illinois & Missouri...but now in Boston.

???

simpsonc510, I assume that you are coming into the city via train from downstate IL? And that means you will be arriving in either Union Station or Ogilvie?

The Chicago French Market is right at Ogilvie. GT Oyster & Fish is at 511 N. Wells, which is between N. Michigan Ave. and either train station.

I don't wish to belabor the point but if you are looking for a fish/seafood option, GT Oyster & Fish is just outstanding. Please do yourself a favor and review the press on their website. Perhaps if that doesn't sway you, you might consider it the next time around.

Since you've already dined there, you know how much more expensive NoMi will be than other options. However, that might not be such a pressing issue. I believe that ChgoGal is speaking of the NoMi Garden on the 7th floor of the Park Hyatt.