upscale restaurants - suggestions please
 

Greetings to the resident Chicago experts. Im going to be in town for a couple of days in June... will be staying at one of the W's (not sure if City Center or Lakeshore just yet). I have to plan 3-4 dinner events and would like to have some insight from you guys...

It would be nice to visit a couple of really great restaurants, they dont all have to be fine dining or ultimate luxury joints, but yes have outstanding menu, wine lists and service. Also, places that dont absolutely positively have to include a formal dress code would be a plus, although if the place is ultimately worth it I do have a suit ready.

If possible, I would like the shortlist to include a Japanese restaurant and one French cuisine choice. Finally, I need one meat eaters place since I will be hosting a good friend for some red meat... please, if possible no chain steakhouses.

Many thanks to all!!! :D ^

A uncommon example of 'serious' Mexican cooking: Topolobampo

http://www.epicurious.com/g_gourmet/...polobampo.html

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...104_lgcy.story

Menu sample:

http://www.fronterakitchens.com/rest...polo_menu.html

"Dressy" business casual (or higher) would be fine.

Many thanks, non-nonRev.

BTW, Im also looking for one recommendation for a great Chinese restaurant.... (not a classic Chinese eatery though). Thanks.

Before even reading Non-NonRev's post, I was going to suggest Topolobampo as well :) The attached Frontera Grill (same kitchen, Topolo is a little fancier) is also wonderful.

For the meat eaters place, if you haven't been to a Brazilian steakhouse, Fogo de Chao (chain, but small one) is an experience. Local steakhouses abound. Morton's is Chicago based. The Chicago Chop House, Kinzie Chop House, Gene and Georgetti's, Petterino's, Magnum's, and Gibson's are all local places, and all pretty good. Ditka's is also good and you might just see Da Coach there as well.

When you say "classic," what do you mean? That's really open to interpretation.

Anyhow, I've heard good things about this place:
http://chicago.peninsula.com/pch/dining_01.html

Thanks for your question... you are absolutely correct. What I mean by "classic eatery" is the regular Chinese restaurant, where the food may be excellent but the place has no ambience, the service is spartan, and the bathrooms are war zones. Nothing wrong with these place, I absolutely love them and go there often, only this time the events around these meals are not suitable for such conditions.

Therefore, I need some recommendations for an upscale Chinese restaurant, where the food is still authentic despite the posh surroundings.

Thanks.

Thanks for the above recommendations. The Mexican option looks very good, only that we are going to be in Mexico por 2 weeks after ORD, so that kinds takes that place off the list.

Just to sum up what Im looking for....

1) A steak place. That is taken care of, with the recommendations above, I will just pick one.

2) A Japanese restaurant.

3) A French.

4) A Chinese.

5) Optional.... if there is a place that is American-Fusion, perhaps somthing like The French Laundry, or similar.... I would also love to hear from that and put it on my list.

Thanks!!!

I have never been here. But I have heard great things:

http://www.trurestaurant.com/

For the French Laundry-type option, Charlie Trotter's is the obvious choice (assuming you can get a reservation). I've also heard good things about Tru but have not eaten there

http://www.charlietrotters.com/



Now for a curveball - for a different type of ethnic, how about a Polish-Eastern European restaurant. A while back I took business guests to Lutnia, on Belmont Avenue. The Hunter Stew is excellent. (No direct website)

http://www.digitalcity.com/chicago/d...sbid=108607781

http://entertainment.metromix.chicag...l-5526,00.html

Charlie's restaurant..... of course :o (que boludo, I dont believe I forgot about that...)

Well, I have some restaurant business connections in NYC that may be able to help me with this..... thanks for the reminder.

francophile, thanks for the tru tip. Looks very interesting.... guess this will be the plan B is Charlie's joint wont give me a table.

Charlie Trotter's is a fine restaurant but not its former self what so ever. So frankly I would stay away.

In Chicago we have two of the most cutting edge fine dining restaurants in the US: Trio and Moto

I just posted on Trio in the Chicago forum, please read and drool.

http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=308706

I have not been to Moto yet.

Moto's website: http://www.motorestaurant.com/

For your Chinese, if still looking for an stunning interior and food, Opera
1301 S. Wabash Ave, 312-461-0161. will fit your bill. I have yet to post my experience here, but the dishes ranged from excellent to good with most falling in the great.

Tru has been written up in the Chicago Forum. Certainly a top 10 recommendation.

For French, there is also Everest. Formal though.

http://entertainment.metromix.chicagotribune.com/top/1,1419,M-Metromix-Home-!PlaceDetail-2251,00.html

Another great place - though not quite fitting your list - Spring.

http://entertainment.metromix.chicagotribune.com/top/1,1419,M-Metromix-Home-!PlaceDetail-22468,00.html

I also recommend Tru.

Thanks SWillie and Student.... some great info!! :D ^