Another vote for Tru: in my view, its the best place in town, with great food and very quiet, pleasant atmosphere. But, as mentioned above, it is extremely expensive, and dinner lasts a long time (many courses).

I don't think that Spiaggia is all that romantic; its on the second floor of an office building, and while the food is very good, it has something of a business dinner feel. (The cafe next door is much more relaxed, but not a good romance destination).

I would generally agree with Willie's list with one MAJOR exception:
I cannot believe that Pete Miller's in Evanston could POSSIBLY make that list....

Don't get me wrong, I've eaten there,,,,both alone while in school, and with the wife several times. But this is NOT a "romantic" restaurant in my sense of the word.

It's a very nice steak joint with some music in the bar area, but it really is more of a "go out with 2 other couples sort of place".
Hope that's of help to someone who might otherwise be dissapointed....
Best wishes.

Just to clarify it is not MY list. The list was compiled by Citysearch for their 2002 rankings.

Thank you so much for your help!!!
Now I just have to choose one of them...

Tim

SweetWillie - You have my apologies for using such bad syntax as to imply that the list was "yours".....
What I should have said was: "the list provided by....." Certainly that would have been clearer,,,Sorry for the confusion.
OTOH: I do still stand by my contention that the "writer" of the list was one confused individual!!
Best wishes.

very nice and very good IMO, it also gets 4 stars from Chicago Magazine.

Two ways to make Everest more $$ friendly.

#1. Everest is part of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group. In late fall every Lettuce Entertain You restuarant sells their annual coupon booklets. The booklets cost $100 but you get a bonus $25 cert inside. So you can use the $100 at Everest (at least $100 ) and then go dine at the many Lettuce restaurants w/the bonus $25 cert such as:
Ambria, Ben Pao, Brasserie Jo, Caf� Ba-ba-reeba, foodlife, Manggiano�s, Nacional 27, Papagus, RJ Grunts, Shaw�s Crab House, Tru, Vong�s, Wildfire (just to name a few).
See their website: http://www.leye.com/welcome.html

#2. You can still experience chef Joho's talents at Brasserie Jo on Hubbard street for much less $. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdi...ML/000069.html

Cafe Spiaggia has launched a Fellini brunch on Sundays. Named for famed Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini, the new a la carte menu replaces the restaurant's previous prix fixe brunch menu.
This co-produced venture by chef/partner Tony Mantuano and Executive Chef Missy Robbins is set in four components
The "81/2" portion offers raw and marinated oysters; shaved octopus with extra virgin olive oil; basil and peaches, and branzino with celery and cucumber.
"Creative Negation" offers salads such as grilled zucchini with lemon; mint and ricotta; mesclun with pears and pecorino, and olive oil poached tuna with green beans, arugula and quail eggs.
Up next, "The Temptations of Dr. Antonio," which features uovo (egg) in raviolo with crispy quanciale; wood oven baked eggs with veal sausage; polenta and fontina, and pizza with eggs, potatoes, parmigiano reggiano and rosemary.
The final act, "La Dolce Vita," includes sweets like chocolate pancakes with mascarpone cream; fresh ricotta with stone fruits and honey, and chilled watermelon soup with melon granita.
Cafe Spiaggia is at 980 N. Michigan. For more information, call (312) 280-2755.