Originally Posted by
offerendum
Set menu is normally best value and at many restaurants in NYC only option. Not the same as set menus in Europe. Normally you can choose every course from many options. So not really "set".
Makes sense, I just read it as the OP was ONLY looking for set menus. Which I don't think is the right approach.
Re Chicago restaurants, I think most 2 and 3 star restaurants are jackets required. Maybe look at Spiaggia? I've only dined on the cafe side, but it was very nice and I don't think they have a strict dress code.