i need help...i'm going to be in chicago later this summer and i need ideas for really good unique restaurants...it's my boyfriends birthday and i wnat to go someplace original..any ideas

You could check out Charlie Trotter's
http://www.charlietrotters.com/restaurant/

or Spiaggia
http://www.levyrestaurants.com/Levy/...2/Spiaggia.htm - both unique in their own way.

My husband and I always enjoy Shaw's Crab House - a Chicago original, and less formal than the above two.
http://www.shawscrabhouse.com/chicago/index.shtml

thanks..i'll check those out

A different place where we have been going regularly, lunch or dinner, is Russian Tea Time near the Art Institute

www.russianteatime.com

Infused vodkas are the best!

You don't mention what type of food or price level, but on the cheap side, Mr Beef (for the unique Chicago sandwich), Lou Malnati's/Pizzeria Uno or Due/Gino's East (for Chicago style pizza - which may not be unique to Chicago, but the birthplace of it and the only place it is any good). For a pizza experience - Chicago Pizza and Ovengrinder's for upside down pizza.

Geja's Cafe (which is allegedly one of the most romantic restaurants anywhere) for fondue (which is almost unique in this day and age).

Truly unique are Alinea and Moto - both very expensive and 4-5 hour visits.

Out of this world Mexican at Frontera Grill or Topolobambo.

That should get you started.

You can Google any of these places to get their websites, etc.

Last month while visiting Chicago, we had a truly unique and outstanding meal at Saltaus. If you go, be sure to check out the web site for pictures of the place. It has no street number or signage on the outside of the restaurant. But we REALLY enjoyed to food. (The place is on Rewards Dining if that makes any difference.)

Also, we had some GREAT food at Cafe Spiaggia . Note: While sharing the same chef, Cafe Spiaggia is not the same as Spiaggia; it is a far more casual place than Spiaggia, something that we preferred.

Shaw's is not a Chicago Original. Instead, it is a clone of a Maryland/D.C. crab house chain. Not bad, just not very Chicagoian.

How about the Nueva Leon on 18th St, just East of Ashland. Really great, really cheap Mexican (bring your own beer) in an old and historic Chicago neighborhood. And, afterwards, go over to Taylor Street for Italian Ice. I like Mario's but many say Carm's is better.

Carm's Beef & Italian Ice
1057 W. Polk St.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 738-1046
http://www.carms.com
Hours: open daily (closed Sunday October-May)

A Little Italy stalwart, this Italian ice legend has been dishing the good stuff since 1929. Original Lemon was the only flavor made back then; today you can get your fill of cantaloupe, watermelon, pineapple and banana (all made with real fruit), chocolate (made with cocoa) and more. The smallest size costs just $1.

Mario's Italian Lemonade
1068 W. Taylor St.
Chicago, IL 60607
none

Hours: open daily May-mid-September

Italian ice aficionados eagerly count down the days until Mario's May 1 opening. The enormously popular Taylor Street shop started as no more than a street cart 50-plus years ago. Lemon remains the most popular flavor, but you find coconut, cantaloupe and more, made with real fruit.

for more ice locations see: http://jump.suntimes.com/list.cfm?id...269546B6BE5AD3

Let us know what kind of food you're after as well as price range. Chicago has a ton of great restaurants.

Also, this thread might be of help.

OMG Carm's. I used to eat there 2/3 times per week when I worked at UIC. They were famous for the "Back to School" special that they had year round. At that point it was 2 hotdogs, fries, and a small soda for $2.00. All you had to do was walk in the door and say "I'll have a back to school". You got what you paid for. I must say that I never had their ice. Haven't thought of them in years.

Now, Mario's is famous. Their sign is also full of wonderful typos. My favorite (flavour and typo) is canaloupe.

Also right there, just down Polk street from Carm's is Fontano's, which has the best subs in the world. Hands down, the best.