Best Restaurants in Chicago?
Jun 29, 2015, 8:50 pm
#76
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Re: takoyaki, it was one of my favorite street foods when I lived in Japan, and I rarely see it done in the states. The version at Furious Spoon is solid - excellent texture, proper sauces, and perfectly portioned bonito flakes. I haven't yet been to Mitsuwa, but I'll have to give it a shot.
Jun 30, 2015, 6:49 am
#77
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1201 E Higgins Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
(847) 437-2222
They owner/chef has beautiful hand decorated menus and overall excellent food. They don't have a website or an online menu (at least one that I have found). IMO the food rivals a good restaurant in Japan. A word of warning, it is not cheap. Not over the top expensive but the food is high quality and the fish is incredibly fresh, and you pay for it.
But is is about a block east of Lou Malnati's on Higgins on the south side of the street. You would never notice it if you weren't looking for it.
Jun 30, 2015, 11:27 am
#78
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Very! Just had lunch there with a friend who was expressing surprise at how popular it is simply because the Chicago Yelp crowd sometimes shies away from things that are too exotic. (And Fat Rice has dishes with whole dried fish -- anchovies, I think - in it.) Check it out...you won't be disappointed.
Jun 30, 2015, 11:51 am
#79
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Very! Just had lunch there with a friend who was expressing surprise at how popular it is simply because the Chicago Yelp crowd sometimes shies away from things that are too exotic. (And Fat Rice has dishes with whole dried fish -- anchovies, I think - in it.) Check it out...you won't be disappointed.
(Disclaimer - Never been to Girl & The Goat)
Another disappointment... Cemitas Puebla. I have eaten better tortas in a gas station .
Jun 30, 2015, 4:27 pm
#80
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DW and I are spending 3 days in ORD together in August so this thread has been helpful. Current plans are Lou Malnati's the night we land, Alinea the following night and Frontera Grill the third. I am staying longer after she flies back and will sample some of the other recs on this thread.
Jun 30, 2015, 5:46 pm
#81
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Jun 30, 2015, 6:58 pm
#82
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DW and I are spending 3 days in ORD together in August so this thread has been helpful. Current plans are Lou Malnati's the night we land, Alinea the following night and Frontera Grill the third. I am staying longer after she flies back and will sample some of the other recs on this thread.
Frontera is quite good too but Topolobampo is Baylesss' crowning jewel.
Jul 1, 2015, 8:05 am
#83
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I tried Hi Five Ramen for the first time last night and loved it! It was nothing like the ramen I am accustomed to from Japan - it seemed much more Chinese in terms of complexity and spice. I will be back!
Jul 1, 2015, 12:10 pm
#84
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DW and I are spending 3 days in ORD together in August so this thread has been helpful. Current plans are Lou Malnati's the night we land, Alinea the following night and Frontera Grill the third. I am staying longer after she flies back and will sample some of the other recs on this thread.
If you have any change of plans, I'd recommend a Paul Kahan restaurant. A few are mentioned in this thread, but my favorite has always been The Publican.
Jul 29, 2015, 1:54 am
#85
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I'm coming to Chicago tomorrow for the first time and plan on having dinner at Gibsons (thanks for the recommendation) on Friday night.
Can anyone advise if I'll need to make a reservation? (I'll be dining alone)
I'm staying at the Drake if the makes any difference, I'm thinking the concierge may be able to do something if necessary.
Can anyone advise if I'll need to make a reservation? (I'll be dining alone)
I'm staying at the Drake if the makes any difference, I'm thinking the concierge may be able to do something if necessary.
Jul 29, 2015, 6:56 am
#86
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Chicago, IL, US
Posts: 2,210
I'm coming to Chicago tomorrow for the first time and plan on having dinner at Gibsons (thanks for the recommendation) on Friday night.
Can anyone advise if I'll need to make a reservation? (I'll be dining alone)
I'm staying at the Drake if the makes any difference, I'm thinking the concierge may be able to do something if necessary.
Can anyone advise if I'll need to make a reservation? (I'll be dining alone)
I'm staying at the Drake if the makes any difference, I'm thinking the concierge may be able to do something if necessary.
I'd call the concierge today.
Jul 29, 2015, 8:33 am
#87
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I did and she got me a 5.30 at Gibsons. Thanks for your help.
Jul 29, 2015, 4:25 pm
#88
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Aug 8, 2015, 6:01 pm
#89
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So DW and I had some nice experiences:
Lunch at Frontera (and Rick Bayless was "in the kitchen") - guacamole + sikil pak combo app was amazing, trio of moles also great
Had lunches at both Lou Malnati's and Giordano's so we could compare. We liked Giordano's better
Found Kurah Mediterranean Tapas in the South Loop, that was good and very reasonably priced
And a mind blowing experience at Alinea in Lincoln Park, service and food and presentation all superb.
Lunch at Frontera (and Rick Bayless was "in the kitchen") - guacamole + sikil pak combo app was amazing, trio of moles also great
Had lunches at both Lou Malnati's and Giordano's so we could compare. We liked Giordano's better
Found Kurah Mediterranean Tapas in the South Loop, that was good and very reasonably priced
And a mind blowing experience at Alinea in Lincoln Park, service and food and presentation all superb.
Aug 8, 2015, 8:55 pm
#90
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Check Please for restaurant recommendations
If you're looking for Chicago restaurant ideas, I recommend you check out the Check, Please! database at http://checkplease.wttw.com/
Check, Please! is a Chicago PBS station restaurant review show. They review a lot of really interesting places.
Check, Please! is a Chicago PBS station restaurant review show. They review a lot of really interesting places.