Best downtown restaurant

Heading back for my annual week long trip to my favorite city. This time want to leave the kids in the hotel, I think they've gotten old enough and try a few of the best restaurants. We'll be in town Jan 1-7 so I think between concierge and AmEx I should be able to make reservations. What are the top choices close to Michigan avenue high end, eclectic but not stuffy?

 

Try NOMI at Park Hyatt,good food and stunning view.

 

Piccolo Sogno, a little north of mich ave. Prosecco on wells, more casual but Ive always liked it. For a real authentic high end italian try Pelago. Small, quiet, intimate place. one of the only multi awarded Michelin rated chefs in the USA there.
Havent eaten at NOMI, but have been to Tru, looooong meal there.

 

I'm sure you will get 50 different "best restaurant" options. I actually ate at NOMI for the first time last week. Views are great, but IMO wasn't that impressed culinary wise, but my food was good.

It would help to know in addition to high end and eclectic, what types of cuisines you like i.e. Steak, Italian, French etc.

 

Really I suppose eclectic for me is innovative, non-traditional, up and coming, memorable and creative american/international/asian cusine.

Not looking for a really good steak joint if that makes sense.

 

Allium in the Four Seasons is better than NoMi these days, with similar food - and not stufy at all...

I also like Sunda and Roka Akor for more asain flavors...

 

Alinea, Next, Schwa

 

I'll be staying at the 4 so yea I'm familiar w/ Allium - thanks!

 

I'm going to see if I can book Alinea but I see they are no longer taking reservations. Guess I"ll see if AmEx has access to this new "ticket" concept.

I"ll google Next, Schwa

thanks!

 

Pelago - I'm going to try that for lunch and take my kids (12&9) they love the cooking channel and one of their favorite shows is "chopped" if you can believe that.

thanks for the suggestions!!

 

Booked!

Thanks!

 

Eating at NoMI tonight...

Is Alinea doing that stupid ticket thing now too? I thought that was just Next... Moto is also good for that type of meal.

Girl and the Goat is also a favorite.

 

Yes, Alinea has moved to the ticket system as well. I don't see why this system is stupid at all. Restaurants save costs by not having to hire staff to answer the phone and can better plan out how much food and staff they require on any given night, which translates to lower prices for the restaurant and a better dining experience for everyone.

 

Plenty of other places to go.
I refuse to buy stupid ticket for the "privilege" of spending $$ in a restaurant.
Alinea is terribly overrated,dined there twice,both times disappointed....

 

Alinea and Next are the same owner right? Makes sense that they would both do it

 

Naha has proven to be a nice spot downtown...

 

I'm passing on Alinea as online reviews reflect it might be over rated and there is certainly other options here that look amazing.

I've got six selected, three for my wife and I for dinner and three for us to take our kids for lunch.



Thanks again

 

Riva at Navy Pier.

Everest on top of the Options Trade building, spectacular night views.

 

I've been to Alinea a few times, and really enjoyed it... My guess is most people claim it is overrated due to its extremely high price.

Originally Grant and his investor stated that the ticket system was going to be just for Next, as a way to allow everybody the same opportunity to dine there - avoiding multiple month waits and needing to 'know' people to get in, which was the 'problem' at Alinea. That sound great, but some of us do know people, and don't have time / patience to sit on facebook at a certain time trying to get tickets, and notknowing what time our seating will be until that day... After multiple attemps, including calling Grant himself, we have given up trying to eat at Next, and just go to Alinea or Moto instead.

Fixed seatings / number of guests makes sense for the costs side for a restaurant, but the tickets just frustrate potential regulars, who on average spend more at a restaurant...

 

Saw a food show that featured Burt's Pizza and it looked pretty good...

Is it really?

 

The last paragraph doesn't pertain to Next, however, since it's a one shot deal. You can't order a $4k bottle of wine etc, it's $500 for the meal and that's it.

 

Does anybody go there anymore?

 

Whew, $500 for one meal? I feel bad spending $10 at Chipotle

 

$523 for two people with reserve pairings, except el Bulli which was $970

 

Whoa!

And we were complaining when we paid $ 30 for two at McD's in Switzerland.