Dining in the "viagra triangle"

hello,

the wife talked me in to a chicago chocolate shopping spree next weekend in the gold coast neighborhood. looking to reserve a table at one of the following;

Hugos Frog Bar
Tavern on Rush
Gibsons
Carmines
Rosebud's


opinions and sugestions appreciated


joe

 

The best site to check out Chicago dining is www.lthforum.com. Out of the ones you listed, I myself would pick Gibson's. Hope this helps!

 

I agree with Gibson's.

 

My favorite is Hugo's Frog Bar. It shares the kitchen with Gibson's, but is more casual. Go VERY VERY hungry. The portions are as large as the food is delicious. The atmosphere is superb and they make killer french and italian martinis. Be sure to ask for one while you wait. I have the phone number handy because I leave it in my cell phone so I will leave it here: 312 640 0999.

I was in Chicago this weekend and was planning on going there for dinner. But my wife insisted we dine with her grandmother. Of couse he grandmother is older than Chicago itself and she couldn't go out in the cold. So she cooked for us. We had "roast" that was as tough as leather (still dont know what animal, my jaw still aches) and Rubarb pie. Who the F gets Rubarb ANYTHING?! Then we had asparagus salad. WTF? The FRENCH eat the salads last she says. Yeah, but not after desert. She asks me why I am not eating and I dont want to be rude, so I start washing everything down with her "French" (vinegar) Wine. I'm chasing every bite with a gulp to wash the old people food down. Then she start yelling at me that I must drink too much. Me, a guy that hardly touches alcohol, ever. Did I mention that everything was served on paper and platic plates?

So then she wants to know if I want coffee. I figure what the hell, she can't mess that up and its 60 degrees in this house anyway. Well you'd think she had to go and grow the coffee beans herself it to her so long. Turns out she only had instant Folgers from the 50's. She had to "dig it out of the cellar". She must have put half coffee grounds and half water becuase my insides actually hurt every sip I took. Has anyone else experienced that? I kept adding water tryng to dilute it but it actually seemed to get stonger.

Then she insisted we spend the night in her 600 sq ft home. Hey, I'm not too good for anything. But it had that geriatric stale smell and the bed covers were those knitted white blankets with big holes between each knit and the hanging tassels on the edges. The pillow cases were once white too. My wife would have LOVED to stay there, but I was in no shape to lay awake in a house without a television and that "roast" close by.


Anyway, by the time we got to the hotel to check in, my insides were cramping ang my jaw was popping, it was late and I was in no shape for Hugos. I'm doing better today.

enzo

 

if the weather is ok, I recommend a window seat at Tavern on Rush, first floor. Less crowded and noisy than Gibsons and a younger crowd. You also get the benefit of watching traffic, both pedestrian and driving. If they are offering the bone in filet...do it! Th e only draw back with the first floor is that you sit at high tables whereas the second floor is standard seating. Come summer, you can eat outside....

 

Hey joe,

All those restuarants are destinations restaurants and food is fair. Gibsons stand out over the rest but if your going to have a steak....please...please go to Capital Grill on Ontario and Sinclair. Beef in tens times better at a fraction of the cost. IMO I cook for a living and when I do go for steak I go to Capital. Yes the triangle has the car views and other views tobut if you are looking for quality versus money go to capital.

Also........

For all Chicago Fchatters I have a kitchen right near the United Center. If any of you guys want the best steak you have ever had, I have a small resturant by the United Center. So come have a steak and go see the game. Gresat space for like ten or twelve guys to eat and then gonto game. I will give you a price you cant touch and would not have to go all the way downtown and come back!!!(ferrari discount) I would also like to open the place up for a meet for continental breakfast before you guys go on your drives. So call me sometime. I am in the process of looking to buy a ferrari but new business comes first. Also I am right in the middle of 290 and I-55 @14th and western in Chicago, so strategically good for your drives. Have a great day

 

+1000!

In the summer when you sit outdoors and people watch, maybe. Skip it, go to Butch's for brunch and drink Bloody Marys. Have the wife pick you up when she's done buying chocolate and go to Rosebud for a burger.

 

Where? Give yourself some props--I'd love to check it out.

 

This man knows. Shhhhh or they'll up the prices.

 

x2!

 

If you want a great steak, i would say Carmichaels on Monroe St., which is also near the United center. Have their New York Strip. MMMMMMMM We were just there Saturday afternoon before we went to the Bon Jovi Concert at United Center... Great food there! MMMMMMM Now i'm hungry for it just talking about it.....

 

I also own a caterin g company which my kitchen produces for also. The restuarant is slated to open in the next 4-5 monthes. In the kitchen I have a tasting room and when I dont have tastings thats were the resturant will be. Ten to twelve seats very intimate and fun. Great food and will have a nice wine list to go with it. The tasting room is open so if you guys want to bring in friends I can whip up some steaks and have some Beers and wine chilled and ready to go. Here is our link. If our Chicago group has any get togethers I would be happy to provide anything we need. Food, Drinks whatever. Once it gets warm outside, I would like to see if anyone is available to give my a ride in some models. I want to make sure I fit, I am 6'4, but thin. Looking to check out TR, Boxer, 355. Or if someone needs a partner for a drive. Looking forward to meeting all of you.

Jon


www.maichefcuisine.com.

 

[size=+2]LMAO! [/size]