I am heading out to Chicago on a golf trip later this month with a few friends. Are there any restaurants that you guys think are a must for the us to go to in the city? Thanks Vernon
When and where? Obviously there are a ton of great restaurants. G&G has been around forever, a dark, old-school steak place as good as always. If you guys like ribs, go to Twin Anchors just north of downtown in Old Town. If you go to Shaw's, skip the formal dining room and sit in the raw bar instead. Much more casual and fun. Where are you golfing?
Thanks Guys I am going thursday July 29th and playing Olympia Fields, Medinah and probably Chicago Golf Club. I am staying at the Ritz.
Shame you can't see my Chicago buddy, Tom Holland play some serious guitar that weekend, he'll be in Japan playing with the James Cotton Blues Band.
Overrated, overpriced and too crowded in my opinion. There are so many better restaurants in Chicago, I can't even list them all. Frank W. is our resident Chicago restaurant junkie; you might even call him the 'Critic' we all trust! Seriously Frank, which restaurant do you suggest?
When I lived in Chicago over the last several years - my recent favorite - for "sight seeing and good food" is "Nine"... Get the large Seafood Appetizer - it will serve 4 and then head to the club upstairs... Sit close to the bar during dinner.... You could also try for pizza Gino's east - my favorite for the best Chicago Pizza. A couple of other cool restaurants - 1.) La Colonial (Frech Vietnamise) - very cool place - on Rush - you can hit a couple of the cool bars just across the street after. The "Salt and Pepper Dinner" in Wrigley - great for that morning after - awesome breakfast... Hope that helps...
Thank-You,Skip. Well,as of the last few Years,though. I've been keeping my "Fine",and,sometimes,"Not so Fine" Dining out here in the Western 'Burbs. But,I do recall Loving the Wonderful Steaks at "Gibsons" on Rush.(I have an old Buddy who is a long time Waiter there) A few other "Ethnic" Restaraunts,too. Otherwise,out here in the 'Burbs are many...especially along the Butterfield Rd."Corridor" in Oakbrook/Lombard....
If you are going to be at Olympia Fields CC, there is a WONDERFUL small restaurant in the south subs (Skip - DaRolls can verify) it's called Cafe Borgia in Lansing. They present their offerings as Roman Cuisine. They really know how to prepare special dishes and sauces. It is truly a gem, and well worth a small detour, about 20 minutes from OFCC and your return trip to the Ritz will be approximately 25 minutes. The only drawback is that their alcoholic refreshments are limited to a decent selection of wines and beers, don't let this dissuade you. Another option on the south end is Carlo's, located about three minutes from OFCC in Chicago Heights. The Lorenzetti family have been serving an Italian / American menu and great steaks for over 40 years, nice relaxed dining area in the rear lounge. Regards, Bill
Here's a few names, descriptions/reviews for the creme de la creme convenient to downtown/near north area, you couldn't go wrong with any of these. Everest This romantic, quiet 40th-floor Lettuce Entertain You international dining room features top-notch French-Alsatian food and a magnificent (800 bottle) wine list (300 from Alsace alone). Jean Joho, winner of the James Beard Foundation Award for best Midwestern chef, creates masterpieces from the simplest ingredients. Luckily, the waitstaff brings the menu down to earth. The view is breathtaking, and even the elevator ride up prepares diners for a truly exceptional dining experience. Directions You will find Everest on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange, which is housed in the One Financial Place Building at 440 S. LaSalle Street. Access to the building's lobby can be found on both LaSalle Street and Financial Place. To reach the restaurant, take the elevator to the 39th floor, where you will transfer to Everest's private elevator to the 40th floor. Get on the Congress Parkway (290 turns into the Congress Parkway, from 90/94 take the exit for the Congress Parkway). Drive under the Post Office and move to the left lane to turn onto Financial Place. Turn left onto Financial Place. The garage entrance will be on your right. Hours Tuesday - Thursday 5:30pm - 9:30pm Friday and Saturday 5:30pm - 11pm The Pump Room Dining at the famous "Booth 1" used to be de rigeur for international celebs taking the transcontinental train from NYC to California. Worth visiting just for the photographs on the wall. Live music in the evenings, and for the Sunday brunch (which is delivered to you). Located in the Omni Ambassador East Hotel, this is one of Chicago's premiere fine restaurants. Though the restaurant is not as exclusive as it used to be, (as will be obvious to anyone dining here on a prom night) they still attract a very well heeled clientele of rich big business and Hollywood types. (check out all the signed celebrity photos if want to know what wonderful company you've joined as a Pump Room diner). Their wine list is very good. The service is as excelllent as the food. For a fine dining experience, the prices are not that expensive. Directions A couple short blocks north of the Rush St. area or the Clark/Division el stop, if you're coming by el. Hours Breakfast: Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday-Sunday 6:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Lunch: Monday-Saturday 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday Brunch: 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Dinner nightly: 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Live Jazz Friday-Saturday 8 p.m.-midnight, featuring The Erin McDougal Trio Fon de la Tour Oakbrook's Distinctively French Fond de la Tour should be far more popular. It's cozy & old worldish, elegant and romantic -- it's been called the quintessential French dining experience --, the food, atmosphere, and service are all great, and they set things on fire. It's a bit expensive, though. The bar includes over 40 ports, as well as lots of cognac and single malt scotch. Note: jacket required for gentlemen. Hours Tue-Fri: 11:30am-2pm; 5:30-10pm Sat: 5:30-10pm Smith and Wollensky If you really want to cash in your 401(k) to purchase a piece of beef as big as you are, this might not be your first choice in a highly competitive and already crowded arena. That is not to say, however, that you will walk away from Smith & Wollensky unimpressed by the size of the portions, dissatisfied with the quality of the fare, or troubled with the efficiency of the waitstaff. In fact, if this were the only steakhouse in the city, Chicago would have nothing to be ashamed of. But there is clearly a host of other choices for a red meat fix in this town, and Smith & Wollensky doesn't really do anything to vault itself into the top tier the way a Morton's or Chop House does. And a second mortgage probably demands a little more. Adjacent to landmark Marina City and the House of Blues, the turn of the century-style steakhouse offers intimate views of the Chicago River and the Chicago Loop. You can get custom-designed steak knives and dry-aged steaks for sale in the Smith & Wollensky General Store located in the restaurant! Hours Monday ¡ Friday: 11:00 AM ¡ 11:30 PM Saturday: 4:00 PM ¡ 11:00 PM Sunday: 4:00 PM ¡ 11:00 PM Morton's It's the most expensive steakhouse in town, but you probably won't find a better hunk of beef in the city. There's also an extensive wine list and excellent service. It hasn't changed much in the two decades that it's been open. Morton's is more upscale than most clubby steakhouses. An excellent ventilation system whisks away the cigar smoke. While it's located in a windowless basement into which the tables are packed uncommonly close, it's a good, cheery, classy kind of crowded. It's high-priced for show-and-tell, but the clubby upscale chain steakhouse's pre-meal a la carte meet-the-meat is informative. Even the smallest side order (vegetables or flesh), will be enough to feed you unless you brink at least 2 appetites. Tasty (and sizable) slabs on white tableclothes in a dark space (dark wood, subdued lighting). Extensive wine list with a full bar and open kitchen. Inducted into the "Fine Dining Hall of Fame" by Nation's Restaurant News, and voted "Best Steak House" by New York Magazine. Hours 5:30 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 5 p.m.-10 p.m. The Chicago Chop House The absolute finest place for steaks in Chicago? The Chicago Chop House, ranked one of the top ten steakhouses in the United States in numerous surveys (and #2, 4 years consecutively by Fork & Knife), is located in a restored Victorian browstone with long curving bars. Semi-formal dress is encouraged, but not required -- their is an old-time, clubby feel. One of the few places in Chicago with an after-dinner cigar list. Over 1400 photos of 1830-1930 Chicago, and an award-winning wine list. Entrees -- unlike many steak houses -- include salad and a potato. Pianist starting at 5pm. Menus available in Japanese, Italian, German and Braille! Have a Porterhouse... There's a year-round christmas tree outside. Hours Lunch: Monday through Friday: 11:30am - 5pm Dinner: Monday and Sunday: 5pm - 11:30pm
Go to McDonalds in Des Plaines. The very first McDonalds is on River Road I think.. oh wait, they turned it into a monument. Regardless you can still see the first and the reason for many a hanging belly in this world. RocketBoy PS: I second the motion, Frank is the best when it comes to food and acting as being a nice guy with warm (sometimes BBQ'ed ) suggestions.
Second the recommendation of Morton's and Gibson's for steak. Smith and Wollensky is very disappointing particularly in comparison to Morton's, Gibson's, and Gene and Georgetti's. Their whole shtick seems to be "we're from New York, so of course we are best." Chicago Chop House? I'm ambivalent about it. Magnum's is surprisingly good. Everest is wonderful. Brasserie Jo is very good. I still like the Cape Cod Room (since I have been eating there since 1962 it may be more tradition than food). What do you want in a restaurant? I want perfectly fresh (or properly aged in the case of beef) food, served in interesting surroundings, by competent waitstaff (lately, I have to tell servers specifically that I want a LEMON twist in my martini, not lime. Who the hell puts lime in a martini? The recipe for a martini hasn't changed in 50 years).
Bin 36: Its next door to the House of blues and has great food, cocktails, and an enormous selection of wine and champagne. Lots of Fun ! And you could catch a good show over @ HOB Charlie Trotters: Very cool dining expierience ! Gene and Georgeties and Smith and Wollensky: Have had great meals and times at both. Smith is down the street from the Bin and HOB Mortons: My all time Fav ! Bob Chins, Shaws, and there is another good one that I ate at but cant remember the name............they are very popular for the Stone Crab Claws and have their mainstay in Florida ???? Bandera Grill: Right on the Mag Mile. Great grilled food, good atmosphere, nice bar. Greek Town: Its all good in Greek Town Best Tip: Pick up a copy of Chicago Magazine. It will list Lots of establishments in the back by food type and WoW factor. Plus any Live music joints in the area. Brian
Alas. I was at a swanky party recently where a "martini bar" was set up for the guests' drinking pleasure... "OK," says I, "I'll have a martini." "What kind?" "A regular martini." (blank look) "You know, gin, vermouth..." "We don't have gin. I can make you one with vodka." But apparently she could mix a mean chocolate "martini", cranberry "martini", pineapple upside-down "martini"... (I'm not making that last one up, either.)
If you have a bit of time leftover after dinner, pay a visit to "Crowbar"....One of my favorite club scenes in the country.
I suspect that's it; in trying to be different, they can't do the basics. We had dinner at a nice midlevel restaurant the other night and I ordered a martini which came with a lime slice. I asked about it and the server said "They told us lime goes with gin and lemons with vodka." Huh? In gin and tonics, sure. It's one of my pet peeves along with red pepper in everything. Crab cakes are NOT improved by adding chunks of red pepper. I have traveled on business for 20+ years and have eaten in a lot of (thousands, literally) good restaurants and I'm finding that I most crave good food, cooking, and service and least of all "something new and different!" because it's often also something contrived and badly done. Hmm, guess I'm officially a grumpy old man and I'm not even 50.
I ordered a Manhattan last weekend. The bartender took a glass, filled it 1/4 of the way with vermouth, swirled it around, dumped it on the ground. Then topped it off with the bourbon. Luckily I like flavor of bourbon. As for the restaurants, I've only lived in the city for 9 mos., but I typically like to stray away from the Loop/Gold Coast areas. Too touristy. If you can stand making it a less formal affair, my favorite place of the week is Resi's Bierstube on Irving Park near Damen. One of the last remaining "beer halls" in the city. First bar in Chicago to serve Weiss beer. Good traditional German fare and the best potato pancakes in the city. Not even close to the same atmosphere as the megabuck steakhouses, but if you don't like this place, you have no soul. For the best burgers and Bloody Marys in town, its the Twisted Spoke at Grand and Ogden. The Bloody Marys are served with a deli meat skewer in the drink, and come with a beer-back. If you go after midnight on a Saturday night, they show cheesy 70s and 80s porn in the bar and serve breakfast. "Smut 'n Eggs". A must visit.
Agreed............ Debauchery at its finest level !!!!!!! You wont find it any better unless you go underground.
We love Resi's Bierstube, especially in the summer time with its outdoor patio. We'll go there again this weekend in celebration of the German Grand Prix.
