Very sad, that was my go-to place for hand-sliced nova.

I have used the recipe in the Fannie Farmer Baking Book for years, to great compliments. It does tend to crack when cooling, especially where I stuck a knife in to test for doneness, but the light custard texture and taste are great.
P.S. I always need to cook it longer than the recipe says: 10-20 minutes

I have bought varieties of TT bread occasionally and found it good, though not my ideal. However, I got a loaf of their California sourdough from Whole Foods last week, and found it extremely dry, with a rancid aftertaste. Not a good experience.

I get it at Treasure Island. They have the little 4-packs, too.

I recall seeing a recipe for this in the Chicago Tribune several years ago; perhaps it can still be found on their web site.

I just had a belated thought on this topic: Milk & Honey granola, which originated at the Milk & Honey Cafe on Division, is sold in grocery stores here, and it is fabulous - I particularly love the original flavor. I don't know if it's sold in other cities as well by now.

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Milk & Honey Cafe
1920 W Division St., Chicago, IL 60622

The bar in the Atwood Cafe in the Hotel Burnham at State and Washington in the Loop would be a terrific place to eat. It is more upscale than casual, but not intimidating; the food is regional American and quite good. But the atmosphere and the view are fantastic, and it is in a beautiful historic building, the Reliance Building, one of the early Chicago skyscrapers. It's about a half mile south of where you are staying; it's a pleasant walk, or you can easily take a cab, or a bus south on Michigan or State.

Regardless of whether they got a Michelin star, Tub Tim Thai is very good.

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Tub Tim Thai Restaurant
4927 Oakton St, Skokie, IL 60077

Also right in the mall is The Bagel restaurant, which is (obviously) Jewish deli food. A local restaurant, not a chain (they have another location in Chicago). Reliable basics: soups, sandwiches, comfort food.

I recently was part of a group lunch in a private room at Athena in Greektown (Halsted and Adams, about a mile west of the Loop). The room was very pleasant, and not as sterile as many such can be. The staff were very nice, and they served an excellent (Greek, of course) buffet. I didn't arrange it, but I imagine the price would be moderate.

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check them out -- after my car is liberated from the alley. I have plenty of time before the event, so may not have feedback for a while.

I need to find a restaurant suitable to host a group of about 10 people, some elderly, for a weekday lunch in the Norridge area. We'd like to have a private room. I'm open to various cuisines, but nothing too exotic for this group - and we'd like it to serve alcohol. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I watched a rerun of a TV episode of Julia and Jacques: Cooking at Home, where Jacques Pepin demonstrated the preparation of a proper French omelet. You might be able to find it on YouTube?

Well, the inexpensive places are not likely to be quiet, so there isn't a huge selection. But you could try Berghoff's downstairs cafe on Adams, which is cafeteria-style. The dining area is relatively calm and you can probably sit as long as you like.

If you don't mind walking the 4 short blocks north to Adams, I think that Russian Tea Time would be really nice for a special outing. They have an extensive menu (Russian, natch), but I'm sure you can just order soup or something light. However, you do need a reservation. They are likely to be crowded on a Saturday, especially around the holidays.

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Russian Tea Time Restaurant
77 E Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603

I like New York Bagel & Bialy for bagels. Thought they are in the suburbs (Lincolnwood, Skokie), I am pretty sure that they supply other places more convenient to you like Ashkenaz deli on Cedar and possibly even Treasure Island (the one up around Erie and Lake Shore Dr is probably the closest one to you.).

Doughnuts: try Dinkels on Lincoln Ave in Lakeview. Half a block south of the Paulina Brown line station.

I have a small window of time this afternoon to grab something to eat before a 6:00 p.m event. I want to stop somewhere between Jackson and East Wacker, i.e. in the "true" Loop. Many of the lunch places are closed by then, and it's too early and I don't have time for fine dining. Any suggestions for a decent, quick bite at that time of day? Many thanks.

Cafecito at Wabash and Congress is also open for breakfast, and is only a couple blocks from the Standard Club.
Cavanaugh's, which is right across the street in the Monadnock Building, is fine for lunch.

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Cafecito
26 E Congress Pkwy Ste 1, Chicago, IL 60605

Lou Mitchell's should have been obvious....AND it's on the National Register of Historic Places (related to Route 66).

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Lou Mitchell's Restaurant
565 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60661

I like Ruby of Siam, which is right across Washington Street from the hotel ( you would probably find it on your own anyway, and so will your follow conferencers.)
In addition to the Marketplace in the basement of Macy's, there is a more upscale food court on the 7th floor of Macy's (there is an express elevator if you can find it) that includes a Rick Bayless Mexican outlet. The other choices are good there, too, and there are windows, which is a plus, and you can find a quieter spot along the edges and get a bit of a view.

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Ruby of Siam
170 W Washington St Fl 1, Chicago, IL 60602

There is another crepe restaurant downtown, whose name I cannot recall, but it is on Clark south of Van Buren, across the street from the federal prison. The location is obviously not fancy, and neither is the restaurant, but it's certainly a lunch option if you're in the area.

How about the Pita Inn on Dempster in Skokie, just east (I think) of Skokie Blvd? Great Middle Eastern, informal (counter service), and the added bonus of their grocery store next door. And Tub Tim Thai in downtown Skokie ,4927 Oakton, is great. It's sit-down, but small and quick. I'd be perfectly comfortable having a solo meal there.

Some of us don't consider Frango mints to be an authentic Chicago item any more, but if you and your friends are not too picky about that, they're easy to pick up if if you can stop at a (cough) Macy's.

I'm pretty sure I've seen them at Dinkel's bakery on Lincoln - you could check with them.

I know this isn't in the same category in terms of selection, but it might be (as it is for me) more convenient: The Whole Foods on Ashland near Lincoln has bulk tea and spices. Not all the WF stores do.
And I'm still mourning the loss of the Home Economist in Skokie. Quel dommage...

If you are willing to go up to Lincoln Square, Pizza D.O.C. at 2251 W. Lawrence is also good, but naturally a bit more neighborhoody in character. They have more than just pizza.

I'll be staying near 30th and Park next week, visiting from Chicago. Suggestion for a midweek dinner in the area, nice but not too pricey? Thanks

I have bought a good Dutch-processed cocoa from Williams-Sonoma in the past (Pernigotti). They have a store in the 900 N. Michigan building. I'm sure it wasn't cheap, but it's a good-sized container, and it's lasted for quite a while.

If Chalkboard is still open on Lincoln (4343 N.), they got good reviews for their fried chicken, which I had and enjoyed. Overall, though, I thought the experience there was a bit pricey and precious, with cloying service.

There are a number of places in both directions along Lincoln from the Addison stop. If you head south on Lincoln, there are choices around and south of the Paulina stop, which is only a few blocks south: Frasca at Roscoe and Lincoln (which I haven't tried), Su Van's cafe, which has good sandwiches. And there is a very respectable non-fancy Mexican place just south of Addison on Lincoln; I think it is called Burrito House or something similar. And it's not far to walk to Roscoe Village (Roscoe west of Damen) for a clutch of neighborhoody restaurants of many cuisines, including El Tinajon, which is very inexpensive and enjoyable Guatemalan.