Some suggestions, please: Fine Dining in Chicago
#1
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Some suggestions, please: Fine Dining in Chicago
We would like to take a cousin out for a special birthday dinner in Chicago in September. Can you please make some suggestions on where we might go? We're pretty open to many different cuisines. Did Charlie Trotters many years back. We're looking for something of that caliber in food and service, but I'm not familiar with the newer "hot spots of dining".
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
#3
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Frontera Grill is a favorite of ours when we're in Chicago.... It's authentic Mexican - not the TexMex style you get in U.S. - and not your standard Mexican restuarant, much nicer.
#5
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Alinea is spectacular, although some sad news about it was reported today.
The other "dedicated" fine dining spots I enjoy:
- Tru
- Arun's (great Thai)
- Spring
- Meritage
- Heat
- North Pond
- Moto
Keep in mind these are all considered "fine dining" and, as a result, they have prices that match. In Chicago, the more "$" signs a restaurant has doesn't necessarily mean it offers better food. There are tons of restaurants at the heels of the top tier spots that serve amazing dishes and offer a more enjoyable experience. Most of these spots are owned by chefs who have trained with the big boys and have broken off to start up their own little empire.
If you want to list the types of cuisines you'd like, as well as other restaurant atmosphere elements you enjoy, perhaps our resident foodies here (myself included) can point you to some very nice, but more "neighborhood" spots with amazing food!
The other "dedicated" fine dining spots I enjoy:
- Tru
- Arun's (great Thai)
- Spring
- Meritage
- Heat
- North Pond
- Moto
Keep in mind these are all considered "fine dining" and, as a result, they have prices that match. In Chicago, the more "$" signs a restaurant has doesn't necessarily mean it offers better food. There are tons of restaurants at the heels of the top tier spots that serve amazing dishes and offer a more enjoyable experience. Most of these spots are owned by chefs who have trained with the big boys and have broken off to start up their own little empire.
If you want to list the types of cuisines you'd like, as well as other restaurant atmosphere elements you enjoy, perhaps our resident foodies here (myself included) can point you to some very nice, but more "neighborhood" spots with amazing food!
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#7
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We would like to take a cousin out for a special birthday dinner in Chicago in September. Can you please make some suggestions on where we might go? We're pretty open to many different cuisines. Did Charlie Trotters many years back. We're looking for something of that caliber in food and service, but I'm not familiar with the newer "hot spots of dining". Thanks in advance.
TMO
#8
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Alinea is spectacular, although some sad news about it was reported today.
#9
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Over many years and a number of visits, mt favoritie combination of appearance, appeal, service, variety of menu, decently prepared food at decent prices and convenience (on West Hubbard, a couple of blocks West of State) is Brasserie Jo, which looks and tastes French without being pretentiously so. Tile floors, white table clothes and a wine list - conventional, but not over blown - for folks who want to enjoy wine not absorb outrageous prices.
TMO
TMO
#12
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But to echo some of the other rec's here:
Tru
Zealous
Alinea
Spring
Avenues
and not previously mentioned..... Le Lan!
#13
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Please, when you're in Chicago next...do me a favor and instead of Jo, go to Le Bouchon (Damen & Armitage). Small, neighborhood authentic French bistro...IMHO knocks the socks off of Jo's, and it will leave a few extra bucks in your wallet. And a second choice is Bistro Margot on Wells St.
Brasserie Jo is a much more comfortable experience. Or, if you want to splurge, Everest (same Executive Chef).
Last edited by ILuvParis; Jul 25, 2007 at 8:56 am
#14
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Wow! What a list! This'll take me a while to go thru. Thanks to everyone that contributed.
A little OT, but I thought you'd appreciate this one. When I was at Charlie Trotters (as I mentioned in the OP) it was a surprise for my 35th birthday. I was with 7 others, including my wife. And the bill was going to be a stretch for us at that time. To make a long story short, my wife tells the waiter that she'd like everyone to try all the desserts. Imagine our surprise (and the looks from everyone seated near us) when the staff brings out 1 of EACH dessert for everyone! If I remember correctly, there were something like 5 or 6 choices X 8 people!! There were trays and plates everywhere. When my wife got the bill, the desserts alone came to close to $300 or so. She almost choked. Now we can laugh about it, but then it was a matter of national debt!
A little OT, but I thought you'd appreciate this one. When I was at Charlie Trotters (as I mentioned in the OP) it was a surprise for my 35th birthday. I was with 7 others, including my wife. And the bill was going to be a stretch for us at that time. To make a long story short, my wife tells the waiter that she'd like everyone to try all the desserts. Imagine our surprise (and the looks from everyone seated near us) when the staff brings out 1 of EACH dessert for everyone! If I remember correctly, there were something like 5 or 6 choices X 8 people!! There were trays and plates everywhere. When my wife got the bill, the desserts alone came to close to $300 or so. She almost choked. Now we can laugh about it, but then it was a matter of national debt!
#15
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Another place you might like to try that hasn't been listed yet is Moto.
http://www.motorestaurant.com/flash/index.html
Edited to add: Sorry, I see that Moto was listed above. You've got the link now, anyway.
http://www.motorestaurant.com/flash/index.html
Edited to add: Sorry, I see that Moto was listed above. You've got the link now, anyway.
Last edited by ILuvParis; Jul 26, 2007 at 8:45 am