Suggestion, please: 1 for dinner
 

I´ll have a layover in Chicago, one night, a Satuday. Any suggestions for dinner?
Food: American/Fusion, not Steakhouse
Price Range: hey, it´s one night only, so who cares
Neighborhood: going to Second City afterwards, so either in vicinity, or bearable cab ride away
Important: they don´t stick you next to the bathroom, if eating w/o significant other

Thanks for any input!

There are many restaurants in very close proximity to Second City (Oldtown) but no American that I would recommend.

A very good American restaurant is North Pond, and is an easy cabride to Second City.

Details on their website: http://www.northpondrestaurant.com

Chef Bruce Sherman of North Pond was just voted one of FOOD & WINE’s 10 Best New Chefs for 2003.
..
http://www.foodandwine.com/bestnewchefs/index.cfm

[This message has been edited by Sweet Willie (edited 06-19-2003).]

I know of a group that went to North Pond last night and had a wonderful meal. Now I'm going to have to try it sometime.

Bin 36 might be a good spot for a solo dinner. It's on Dearborn across the street from the Westin River North.

The big deal at Bin 36 is the wine, as the place is sort of an upscale wine bar. But the food can be good -- my wife and I had a few glasses of wine and several appetizers last fall during a visit. The place looks very fancy at first but is comfortable and casual enough. The wait staff seemed very friendly. The main bar area looks like a fine place for solo dining.

Bin 36 is also a great place to buy wine and wine accessories in the entry-area "store."

www.bin36.com

Chef Bruce Sherman of North Pond Cafe will offer a menu revolving around new U.S. caviars from farmed sturgeon, paddlefish, trout and Alaskan salmon.
The beluga sturgeon, the source of beluga caviar, has had an alarming 90 percent decrease in population over the past 20 years, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has proposed that the fish be protected under the Endan-gered Species Act. A decision is to be made July 31. Protection would ban beluga caviar imports.
Sherman has already decided not to serve this caviar, but to explore the alternatives that will be featured through Sunday.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/food/...ws-bits16.html

i went to north pond last night. incredible meal with great service. great view of the skyline of chicago. highly recommend this place. my only complaint is that the server took the check from my hand about 2 seconds after i signed it, something that really makes me upset. maybe it's just a pet peeve of mine, but i don't like the server knowing what i've tipped until i've left the table.

You're not alone, it is a peeve of mine as well.

August 22 - North Pond: Hosts a ChicaGourmets dining club summer luncheon featuring a three-course menu from chef Bruce Sherman with wine (August 22, 12 PM; $49 for ChicaGourmets members, $59 for nonmembers; 708-383-7543).

from Zagat.com

December 31: North Pond features a five-course New Year's Eve prix fixe menu with seatings from 5:30-10 PM ($110; 773-477-5845).

from Zagat.com