First time in chicago recommendation's needed

Stay at the trump-

Italian food - rpm

 

trump is nice, so is the WIT. I stay frequently at the Dana Hotel and spa ask for a corner king up high. All loft style, not too $$$ but nice people and an easy location. Great rooftop bar (Vertigo) overlooking the city, walkable to mich ave and easy walking in a safe part of the city. For breakfast try Tempo on state (850N.) or the Grande Luxe Cafe on michigan. Lunch, Bandera on Michigan. Dinner Piccolo Sogno, I like Pelago for a small intimate dinner, michelin 4 star chef there. a little more casual but a nice restauraunt is Prosecco on wells, great scallops and pastas! All are very affordable. May try spanish tapas at a high energy fun place called Mercat A La Planxa, chef was on top chefs, fun to try lots of different things.
good luck!

 

You have to visit the various neighborhoods to get a true sense of what makes Chicago's culinary offering so unique.

There is a whole separate forum that dedicates itself to discovering these unique gems:

LTHForum.com ? Index page

The forum members compile an up to date list of all these recommended restaurants here:
http://tinyurl.com/GNR-Map

If you visit the website, you can see all their recommended restaurants broken down by neighborhood and cuisine.

 

I don't remember about Top Chef, but I know he did win the second season of the Next Iron Chef, and is currently an Iron Chef - haven't been there but I would imagine it's pretty good.

 

There are so many great places in this city it's hard to mention all of them. I'll chime in as I think of them.

One of my favorite spots for Pizza (and I hate deep dish, don't throw me to the wolves people) is Piece Pizza in Wicker Park. It's thin crust New England style. Piece is also one hell of a brewery, with 6 or 8 brews on tap. Always keeps me coming back. Call ahead and check what the wait is, on the weekends it can hit 2hrs after 7pm.

 

For steak, the Chicago Cut Steakhouse at 300 N LaSalle. Amazing.

 

I second Piece. Some of the best pizza I've ever had and a great beer selection. You can always find an incredible filet at Tango Sur as well; great pricing and the ability to bring your own wine saves fortunes.

 

I was a huge fan of Giordano's pizza. Take a stroll down Michigan Ave ways to see Millennium Park and Buckingham Fountain. The Wallis Tower as mentioned before is a must see as well.
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For a piece of old Chicago, go to Berghoff in the Loop. The bar is the best but it is stand up. The place is about 100 years old at this point, very "Chicago".

 

I'm in Chicago now too. Staying at the Hyatt Regency on E Wacker. I think we are going to get the Chicago Go Card tomorrow and do some sightseeing. Giordanos is also on the list. We are going to the Willis Tower Sky Deck too.

Any fun bars for a group of five twentysomething troublemakers?

 

Go to Paris Club for nightlife. Untitled is also popular. Both are on Hubbard street, dozens of choices.


Giordanos is 100% tourists.

 

also, Boarding House on Wells is the new hot spot, it's pretty cool.

Sunda has the best sushi in town.

 

Hey, Noel! We went to Public House last night and that was pretty cool. We heard about Paris Club last night so we may check that out tonight. Today, we are going to a couple of museums, the Sky Deck @ Willis, and a couple of other spots.

I took a couple pics last night and the last one is the view from my hotel room. I like it here.

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My list included:

Public House
Millennium Park - Saw THE BEAN!
Willis Tower Skydeck Ledge
Hancock Building
Signature Room on the 95th FL of the Hancock Building - TWICE - LOVED it
Lots of shopping on Magnificent Mile - bought a new Tory Burch purse
Wicker Park for food and random bar hopping
Field Museum (not fun) I left early and walked to...
Grant Park
Buckingham Fountain - it wasn't on, but it was still nice
Lake Park Trail (did 3 miles)
Navy Pier
Garrett's Popcorn (with Blue Moon beer - delic)
Crystal Gardens @ the pier

I'd recommend everything except the Field Museum, but I'm not really a museum person. The Signature Room is my new favorite restaurant. The steak salad, caramel tart, and pinot noir there were awesome, as was the brunch.

Chicago is one of my new favorite cities, but I from now on, I'll be waiting for warmer weather to visit again.

 

IMO avoid all costs Giordanos, Uno etc. Tourist traps.

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder is cool--~2121 N Clark St. Bring cash though!!

 

For more intimate spots, Prohibit just opened, the Grid is popular, and I'm a fan of Charcoal Bar (although very very small, but amazing drinks)

 

Also for those who are visiting Chicago soon, the Art Institute has a Picasso exhibition going on