Ethnic Food Downtown
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Table Rock Lake, MO
Posts: 223
Ethnic Food Downtown
My wife and I are going to Chicago for a weekend staying at the Intercontinental on Michigan N. of the river.
Any suggestions for ethnic or good nighborhood restaurants within easy walking distance from the hotel.
A few weeks back we visited the Russian Tea Time and Berghoff and enjoyed both very much.
Any suggestions for ethnic or good nighborhood restaurants within easy walking distance from the hotel.
A few weeks back we visited the Russian Tea Time and Berghoff and enjoyed both very much.
#2
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: ORD
Posts: 642
If you're in the mood for what's said to be pretty authentic Mexican food, try Frontera Grill or Topolobampo, which are in the same building and owned by the same guy. They're both very good but certain to be crowded and service can be so-so at times. Frontera is the more casual of the two. I think you can get reservations at Topolo but not Frontera for a small party. Shouldn't be more than a 5 or 10 minute walk from your hotel.
#3
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Sayat Nova, 157 E. Ohio. 312.644.9159
Armenian/mid-east. Had a great shrimp/lamb kabob. Baba ghannouj(sp?) was very tasty. A puree of eggplant and spices I believe.
Vong, thai/french. 6 W Hubbard, 312.644.8664.
While I have not eaten at this location, I have at the London one. VERY good. I really like the mixture of these two cuisines.
By the way, Frontera is very good for upscale (not your typical fajita or burrito spot) mexican dishes. located at 445 N. Clark, 312.661.1434
Armenian/mid-east. Had a great shrimp/lamb kabob. Baba ghannouj(sp?) was very tasty. A puree of eggplant and spices I believe.
Vong, thai/french. 6 W Hubbard, 312.644.8664.
While I have not eaten at this location, I have at the London one. VERY good. I really like the mixture of these two cuisines.
By the way, Frontera is very good for upscale (not your typical fajita or burrito spot) mexican dishes. located at 445 N. Clark, 312.661.1434
#4
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Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: PHX and LIH
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Didn't Vong just close?
Brasserie Jo (French) is always fun.
I also like Ben Pao (upscale Chinese). Their blackened scallops with Broccoli and seven flavor chicken are outstanding. The banana cheesecake (which didn't sound particularly good to me) is, in my opinion, one of the better desserts you'll find anywhere.
For a cheap, fun lunch, with a menu made up of dishes from various Latin American countries, try Mambo Grill on Clark Street.
Another place you might find interesting is Zinfandel. It features alternating regional American cuisine.
All are within easy walking distance of your hotel and the neighborhood is safe. You can get the addresses in the phone book. There are also several decent Thai restaurants nearby which you can look up in the yellow pages by cuisine. Singha is one that comes to mind.
[This message has been edited by ILuvParis (edited 08-25-2001).]
Brasserie Jo (French) is always fun.
I also like Ben Pao (upscale Chinese). Their blackened scallops with Broccoli and seven flavor chicken are outstanding. The banana cheesecake (which didn't sound particularly good to me) is, in my opinion, one of the better desserts you'll find anywhere.
For a cheap, fun lunch, with a menu made up of dishes from various Latin American countries, try Mambo Grill on Clark Street.
Another place you might find interesting is Zinfandel. It features alternating regional American cuisine.
All are within easy walking distance of your hotel and the neighborhood is safe. You can get the addresses in the phone book. There are also several decent Thai restaurants nearby which you can look up in the yellow pages by cuisine. Singha is one that comes to mind.
[This message has been edited by ILuvParis (edited 08-25-2001).]
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NJ
Posts: 3,335
One of my favorites in Chicago is about 7-8 blocks away, Blackhawk Grill. American fare--stuff like mustard crusted rainbow trout. Great place. Agree with Frontera Grill--not 5-10 mins away though. It is one block from the Intercontinental, on the same side of Mich. Ave. Their cornbread is the best.
Djlawman
Djlawman
#6
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: ORD
Posts: 642
djlawman, I think you're thinking of Bandera (you have to go up an escalator). The cornbread is great. I've had a good meal there and a so-so one.
I also heard something about Vong closing in Chicago and being reincarnated as a more casual, less expensive place. Not sure if it's closed yet. Have been there a couple of times. Quite good.
I also heard something about Vong closing in Chicago and being reincarnated as a more casual, less expensive place. Not sure if it's closed yet. Have been there a couple of times. Quite good.
#7
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Posts: 49
Yes, Vong did close for retooling and will reopen. Agree that Ben Pao is an excellent choice. For anyone visiting Chicago, you should look at the Lettuce Entertain You website. Both of the above restaurants are part of this group, and each member restaurant is top-notch (they also have a very user-friendly frequent-diner program). Here is the address:
www.leye.com
A couple other recommendation for ethnic cuisine in River North: Chilpancingo, a really fine, fun upscale Mexican place. And on the same block is Reza's, which has excellent Persian food (kabobs galore) at reasonable prices. Both are on Ontario, a quick cab ride from Michigan Ave.
www.leye.com
A couple other recommendation for ethnic cuisine in River North: Chilpancingo, a really fine, fun upscale Mexican place. And on the same block is Reza's, which has excellent Persian food (kabobs galore) at reasonable prices. Both are on Ontario, a quick cab ride from Michigan Ave.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Table Rock Lake, MO
Posts: 223
Thank you all!!
We just came back from our trip, and would like to recommend Maggiano's at the corner of Clark and Grand. Great restaurant and much better Italian food than we can find here in Kansas City.
We just came back from our trip, and would like to recommend Maggiano's at the corner of Clark and Grand. Great restaurant and much better Italian food than we can find here in Kansas City.
#9
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Chicago, IL - AA PLT
Posts: 973
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by julleflyer:
We just came back from our trip, and would like to recommend Maggiano's at the corner of Clark and Grand. Great restaurant and much better Italian food than we can find here in Kansas City.</font>
We just came back from our trip, and would like to recommend Maggiano's at the corner of Clark and Grand. Great restaurant and much better Italian food than we can find here in Kansas City.</font>