Foodies - Chicago Recs?

[beachdweller]

I know some of the regulars are foodies. Does anyone have suggestions for Chicago? I am going to be staying downtown (Hyatt) for a conference. I went to Alinea during my last visit (and I thought it was amazing!), but I am looking for something different and less pricey for this trip.

[juris11]

Have you been to Frontera Grill? I have mad love for Rick Bayless.

[boiler717]

I just went to RPM and it was really good.

[beachdweller]

No, haven't been to Frontera. The menu looks great -- thanks for the suggestion!

[beachdweller]

Thanks for the suggestions, Rock-n-Voll. I looked at the menus for both and they look fantastic!

[SJ]

So many good options! Good news is that almost everything in town is less pricy than Alinea

Some of my favorites:

Girl & Goat
Topolobampo (Rick Bayless)
Longman & Eagle
EL Ideas ($$ BYOB) - haven't tried this one yet but it's on my list
Davanti Enoteca
Tavernita
Acadia - haven't tried this one yet but it's on my list
GT Oyster


Sorry, I wasn't paying attention to location as I was just typing off the top of my head. Chicago is easy to get around via taxis or the El.

[ejpint]

I don't have a lot of gourmet recs - our favorite is Mia Francesca on N. Clark. I love it, but it's not exactly haute dining.

For something a bit more "foodie", I really liked Sepia, which is on Jefferson - www.sepiachicago.com/

[devonpow]

Topolobampo is FABULOUS. however, the last time I was there I got extremely inebriated, saw Rick Bayless come out into the dining room, and started loudly yelling "I SEE RICK BAYLESS!!!" over and over to DH, thinking I was being subtle. Then I spilled my margarita. I am too embarrassed to go back.

Similar to when we saw Will.i.am. at Aquavit in NYC. I am embarrassing around celebrities, apparently.

[Deleted]

Places I've been on my Chicago food treks:

Xoco
Frontera Grill
Topolobampo
The Gage
Girl & the Goat
Longman & Eagle
Cafe Lulu (for brunch)

They were all amazing.

[Deleted]

Yes, Lula Cafe. Sorry. There is a Cafe Lulu in MKE and I was mixing up the names. Brunch was awesome!

[ChiGuest]

I would also like to add Avec to the list.

I would definitely narrow down by price or location through Time Out Chicago. There's a great list.

[Deleted]

On my most recent trip, I enjoyed:

The Bristol
Frontera Grill
The Purple Pig

My already-blogged restaurants are here:
www.weezermonkey.com/p/usa.html

Scroll to "Chicago."

[Deleted]

Thanks, miso. I just relived that pork belly sammich. Mmm.

That was the weekend my love affair with egg yolks began!