Post by RoxMonster on Jan 19, 2014 12:09:21 GMT -5
We are headed to Chicago in late March to celebrate my birthday. We live a couple hours away, so we go to Chicago yearly, but we often end up eating at all the same places or not planning in advance and just grabbing whatever we can.
We are having Italian food one night we are there, but are looking for a different place to eat the second night, probably not Italian. We have also eaten at almost all the Chicago pizza places, so would like something different than that. A mid-range place (for Chicago) would be good. Nothing in line with Alinea price-wise, but also not a super casual place either. We like many cuisines--American, Asian, Mexican, etc. Not a huge fan of Indian. We are staying at the Palomar, so anything close is great, but we are also totally fine with cabbing it somewhere further away.
Post by librarygirl on Jan 19, 2014 13:14:38 GMT -5
I love Le Colonial (French-Vietnamese). It's a few blocks north of the Water Tower so it's walkable from your hotel although depending on the cold, cabs are never a bad idea too. The food was terrific and the ambiance and decor were especially memorable (like you were in 1920s colonial era Indochina). Here's a write up I did of it on my blog:
Post by FrozenSunshine on Jan 19, 2014 16:32:29 GMT -5
If you're interested in Girl and Goat, start looking now for a reservation. Weekends are booked forever in advance.
Unfortunate Graham Elliot closed, but would have been a great fit.
Tru has a pre fix menu for $115/pp which was really good. ING does themed menus, we just did the Salvador Dali menu. We did the tasting menu at Sepia last year and it was great. They have a standard menu with plates between 20-40/pp.
Not sure if you have your Italian restaurant picked but I've been wanting to try RPM Italian, but our go to is Carmines.
That's off the top of my head for now, but would be happy to narrow down what you're looking for with any feedback.
If you're interested in Girl and Goat, start looking now for a reservation. Weekends are booked forever in advance.
Unfortunate Graham Elliot closed, but would have been a great fit.
Tru has a pre fix menu for $115/pp which was really good. ING does themed menus, we just did the Salvador Dali menu. We did the tasting menu at Sepia last year and it was great. They have a standard menu with plates between 20-40/pp.
Not sure if you have your Italian restaurant picked but I've been wanting to try RPM Italian, but our go to is Carmines.
That's off the top of my head for now, but would be happy to narrow down what you're looking for with any feedback.
That's where we're going actually!
I have heard many good things about Girl and the Goat. I didn't know if we'd be too late to make reservations for March, but I will check into it.
Agreed, Girl and the Goat gets my vote! Try online through Open Table and if it doesn't turn anything up, call them directly. Worst case scenario, show up early for dinner because they do take walk-ins.
Post by FrozenSunshine on Jan 20, 2014 1:26:47 GMT -5
@roxmonster please report back on RPM! Others I thought of tonight for quirky places were Purple Pig and Heaven on Seven. (Purple Pig and Heaven on Seven are a father son team.)
pagas I know! He closed all his places down. (I thought he was keeping the Bistro open, but can't find it now.) But he has plans for a new concept in a new location in the next 18 months is what he said.
I agree any Rick Bayless Restaurant - I think we went to Frontera Grill, and it was amazing! (There's Frontera Grill, Xoco, and Topolobambo all right next to each other, in River North). Yum!!!
Ugg, G&G is not good in IMHO. I wish it would go away. Overpriced and waaaaaaay too salty. That said I would say Little goat is better. But I would rather go to Everest, Next, The Gage and Rick Bayless's places before G&G.
Not sure if you have your Italian restaurant picked but I've been wanting to try RPM Italian, but our go to is Carmines.
That's off the top of my head for now, but would be happy to narrow down what you're looking for with any feedback.
That's where we're going actually!
I have heard many good things about Girl and the Goat. I didn't know if we'd be too late to make reservations for March, but I will check into it.
Thanks for all the recs, everyone.
Yum, RPM is one of my Chicago favorites! If you like lobster, you have to get the Lobster Caprese - it's amazing. They make the mozzarella in-house and it's to die for
If you're interested in Girl and Goat, start looking now for a reservation. Weekends are booked forever in advance.
Unfortunate Graham Elliot closed, but would have been a great fit.
Tru has a pre fix menu for $115/pp which was really good. ING does themed menus, we just did the Salvador Dali menu. We did the tasting menu at Sepia last year and it was great. They have a standard menu with plates between 20-40/pp.
Not sure if you have your Italian restaurant picked but I've been wanting to try RPM Italian, but our go to is Carmines.
That's off the top of my head for now, but would be happy to narrow down what you're looking for with any feedback.
Our favorites for brunch are Publican and Little Goat. Our dinner favorite is Gilt Bar. It's not super fancy, but it's a great price point and honestly every single meal we have there is amazing.