I've stayed at the Knickerbocker and have had mixed experiences. However if you PL'd it for a good rate you'll probably make out fine. Some of the rooms are small and dark but the public areas are very nice (great small bar off the lobby if I recall correctly). You can't beat the location for food, shopping and general atmosphere.

Edited to ask what kind of rate you got on PL?

Tizi Melloul
Klay Oven
Reza's

Portillo's -- great Italian beef sandwiches
The Chop House -- wonderful steak
Shaw's Crab House -- good seafood and ambience

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Moto.

Check out the reviews....a wild place! My parents hit it up last week and gave it good reviews as a once in a lifetime kinda thing.

Very expensive (there are 6 major conferences going on when I am there) so had to go up to $115. :td: Still only about half of what I would have otherwise paid... ^

Steak and More Steak
 

1. The Traven on Rush. $$$, but worth it

2. The Webber Grill Resturant ....a great concept idea and fun.

3. Harry Carey's.......Tourist spot, but very good and top service


We never get tired of Chicago and it's great choices to eat. Pick one and enjoy let us know what you think.

SA

Gino's East is a great pick, and they opened a new one near O'Hare so it is easy to get there - instead of going all the way downtown

Never been to Chicago, going next weekend to see a Red Sox-Cubs game. We're coming in Friday night and leaving Sunday. I wanted to try a few reasonably priced places that were unique to Chicago, so I was thinking Harry Caray's and Gino's East. We are staying at the Westin River North, so I think these are relatively close. Are they good choices? Frankly, for us, touristy is ok...we'll be tourists! How crowded do they get Fri. and Saturday nights? Is one better for a particular night?

Thanks!

I recommend using Hotwire instead and consulting the betterbidding.com board first. You'll pay more than Priceline, but will have a really good idea of what hotel you are booking before you finalize. I've gotten the Swissotel several times for $100, the Westin River North for around $120 and the W for $129.

A recent find (not on Hotwire) was the Hotel Amalfi. Was able to book an internet only rate on their website of $134, during a major convention last month when most hotels were sold out or $300 +. Love the place - high thread count sheets, CD/DVD player in the room, continental breakfast on each floor, evening cocktail reception and impeccable service.

For Pizza, I recommend Girodanos over Gino's East. Yes, they aren't exactly the same style. Girodanos is stuffed, not deep dish, but their sausage is better IMO and Ginos uses too much.

Well, the effect is basically the same. Put a Gino's pizza and a Giordano's one next to each other, and they're largely indistinguishable. I love both their sausages -- it's such a Chicago signature and better than anywhere else -- and, for me, it's hard to beat the Gino's patty on the bottom. BUT ... you're right. Giordano's is a half-notch better at the moment. I completely agree on overall quality. Go Giordano's.

You can do so much better than Harry Caray's. Walk a two-block radius around the restaurant, and you'll find a world of things. I believe both of Rick Bayless's restaurants are just down the street. Go there instead. Or any of a litany of other places.

If you want to try unique restaurants in a city, why go to a chain? Cheesecake Factories are everywhere as are Todai. As others on here have said, pizza is definitely Giordanos. One place I have not seen mentioned, and is always a place I go, is "Mon Ami Gabi" near Lincoln Park. French steak place with amazing steaks and unbelievable desserts. Check it out: http://monamigabi.com/

I just returned from a wonderful weekend in Chicago!! Thanks go out to many who contributed their opinion in this thread.

We loved the original Uno for fantastic pizza and Portollo's for an incredible hot dog!!

We also loved Gunther Murphy's which is an Irish bar. The waitress Liz was so incredibly nice and friendly!!

On a bad note we had a horrible time at the WE rest. at the W Chicago City Center.

All in all, we loved the city, the food and the wonderful people!!!

in case it hasn't been mentioned - lth forums is a great place for chicago eating ideas (restaurant reviews, recommendations, etc.)