I actually found both Grace and Alinea to be overrated. Alinea is a lot of fun from a presentation standpoint, but the food wasn't mindblowing. Grace was just a disappointment overall - but the way things ended there certainly didn't go well. The only other fine dining I have had is Tru, which is fantastic but is also closing.

So yeah...I got nothin' for you. But the mid-tier dining options I have had are quite excellent...so I have no doubt you'll find something tasty :)

Thanks! I feel like as a first timer in Chicago, Alinea is kinda mandatory. :D

I would love to hear your recommendations for mid-tier spots as well! We'll be there for 4 nights, so will have plenty of time to sample all kinds of stuff.

I am a giant fan (and season ticket holder) of Next in Chicago....Chef Jenner has really elevated their cuisine. He's doing french food for the first half of the year, and that's his wheelhouse.

I was very disappointed by Grace this past summer. Girl and the Goat was good but I don't get all the hype. I preferred Duck Duck Goat. I know neither of those has a star.

For one starred venues in Chicago, I heartily recommend Topolobampo if you like Mexican food!

That would be my first choice too.

If you want a mix of high end and mid tier restaurants in Chicago, the easy advice for a first-timer is focus on 3 chefs: Achatz, Izard, and Kahan. You really can't go wrong with any of their restaurants and you have a variety to choose from. They're not necessarily the 3 best chefs in Chicago or include all the best restaurants, but I will almost guarantee you won't have a bad meal or experience. And then get a Frontera Fresco torta at O'Hare on your way home!

And finally, plan your next trip once you realize Chicago has some of the best (but not necessarily famous) restaurants in the country, and there are 50 more you didn't get to try. :D

Green River is another example of a very good mid-tier restaurant. The Bar Manager is one of the best in the country and the food has been recognized with a (surprise?) Michelin Star. Really excellent.

We ate at 2 star Smyth in Chicago last night. We had the 12 course tasting menu with wine pairing. The food and wine were fantastic and the service was just wonderful. Everyone we met in the service team was incredibly friendly and “read” us to give us just the type of service we wanted. I highly recommend it.

Heading to Modena this July and want to make sure I snag a reservation at Osteria Francescana. Has anyone had success using the concierge service through their Platinum Amex to book this reservation?

I've been there twice but booked direct both times. Keep in mind that a lunch reservation may be easier to get than dinner.

Great news about Smyth! It and Oriole are very much on my radar for my next Chicago visit.

I've tried multiple times to book Osteria Francescana but it's always been fully booked.

We ate at 1 star Roister tonight. It was superb. One of the dishes we had was the # 5 wagyu steak which was mind bendingly good but really it all was. We sat at the counter by the kitchen. Very positive experience.