bobdobilina's Profile
Hanger Steak
Late to this. I've found Hanger surprisingly difficult to find in Chicago (especially since it's fairly common on menus). Either way, Fox and Obel has it most of the time, and at a surprisingly OK price (I think $11.99/lb). It's particularly high quality.
Other than that, I would have recommended The Butcher and Larder, already recommended above.
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Butcher and Larder
1026 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642
TRU or Everest. Which would you pick?
I haven't been to Everest, but do agree that Tru is one of the best on the city. On the whole i think the Michelin Guide got it right when it comes to special occasion dining, although Tru belongs with the 2* group and L2O also should be in the 2*.
Which means i agree with Ria and Trotters 2* rating, which not everyone does. Only been to both once, but the food at both was very very good. I do think the atmosphere at Trotters is very tired.
However, for me I would do Avenues before Duffy moves on.
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L2O
2300 Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 60614
Duffy leaving Avenues
Does anyone know the timing? Might want to get in another meal there before he leaves... easily one of my favorite meals in Chicago.
Help requested: Romantic Dinner for 2 for ~$75
Piccolo Sogno tends to book up a fair way out, so make sure you get a reservation in (you can do so on Opentable). If there are no bookings available, give them a call and explain your situation - they may well accommodate you.
Have a great night!
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Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60622
Help requested: Romantic Dinner for 2 for ~$75
Does your budget include drinks, tax and tip?
Are you looking for the reservation to be on a weekend or weekday?
I'd pass on any of the Greektown options for a romantic dinner. Here are some thoughts:
The patio at Piccolo Sogno - some of the best Italian food in town and very romantic
Mexique - Great French Mexican fusion
Balsan - might push the budget a little (depending on drinks) but the food is fantastic and the location will make her feel special
Onesixtyblue - probably over the budget, but if Mon-Thurs they have a great value 3-course special
Gemini Bistro - charming but lively bistro with great food in a really nice part of lincoln park
Nightwood - great farm to table place in Pilsen
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Mexique
1529 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Gemini Bistro
2075 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60614
Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60622
Nightwood
2119 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60608
Any recent visits to the Girl & the Goat?
Both Salpicon and Mexique have bars you can eat at.
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Mexique
1529 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Sable or Girl and the Goat?
I would also suggest Balsan in the Elysian hotel. Ate at GATG, Graham Elliot in the past week and Balsan may have been my favorite meal.
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Graham Elliot
217 W. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60654
Alinea wine pairings
We ate their again last week and ordered off the wine list. I'm actually as little torn.
I think they could do a better job on the quality of the wine pairings, and the value is lacking vs. the wine list (which has many great finds and/or buys). BUT, I do think you give up a little bit of the experience.
so for me:
Pairings = better experience, worse quality and value
Some wines off the list = better quality and value, not quite as good on the experience
Alinea wine pairings
another echo on skipping the pairings and picking some good bottles, maybe half bottles if your group is small. I would suggest getting a champagne, a crisp/mineral white and a lighter red (Pinot, Nebbiolo, lighter Grenache).
Not sure if i'm allowed to post links... but here's a good discussion at a wine forum about it:
http://www.wineberserkers.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=27767&p=372980&hilit=alinea#p372980
Michelin Stars Are Out
Having eaten at most of these restaurants I think it's a fairly well done list. From my experience, TRU would be with the 2* restaurants, and i would have both Avec and The Publican at 1*. I might be a bit of a loner in believing North Pond should be a 1* - we had the tasting menu there last month and the quality was very high.
Combine this with the Bib Gourmand and i think they paint a great picture of where to eat in the city.
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Avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph St Ste A, Chicago, IL 60661
North Pond
2610 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
Need terrific liquor store near Mich Avenue
Easy - just go to Binnys on Grand... best prices, best selection.
If you don't mind a short cab ride, then Binnys South Loop is their mothership and has a ridiculous selection of wines, beer and spirits.
best steak in chicago
My vote is for David Burke's. I guess we eat there roughly once a year (steakhouses aren't really our cup of tea) and I think the preparations, sides, sauces et. al. are more sophistictaed than the rest of the steakhouses. They also take there meat pretty seriously, sourcing it from their own farm and aging it in their own salt caves (I believe the only salt caved steak in Chicago). Never had a service issue there.
I must admit to being shocked with how good my steak was at Joe's Stone Crab earlier this year. I guess i didn't have high expectations, but the steak was great.
Per the discussion above, I believe i've had Wagyu on the tasting menus at Alinea, Tru, Avenues and L2O - all excellent, but none of them a steak dinner.
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Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
L2O
2300 Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 60614
Joe's Stone Crab
60 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
10/16 - 10/19 Itinerary Review Please
Frontera and Sepia are great choices. Haven't been to Red Rooster so cannot comment. I find Le Colonial just OK, and don't love the area. Jeans and a shirt will be fine at all of these places.
If you are wine drinkers think about switching your Sepia reservation to Sunday night - i'm pretty sure they still have half priced bottles on Sunday night.
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Red Rooster Restaurant
1151 W 37th Ave, Hobart, IN 46342
Drinks before Piccolo Sogno?
Ah yes... Richards is a bit of an old school dive. Also south on Milwaukee is Paramount Room which is a great local with a small but very good selection of beer on tap.
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Paramount Room
415 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60654
Drinks before Piccolo Sogno?
It depends what sort of place you're into. My favorite is Juicy Wine Bar a few blocks north on Milwaukee. It's a small and quiet place but really friendly and great drinks.
The Red Canary across the road has a great patio, so if it's a warm night it's a good choice (although you'll probably be doing the patio thing at Piccolo if it's warm).
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The Red Canary
695 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Trip Report: Xoco, Publican, Bongo Room, Intelligentsia, Violet Hour, Alinea, Hot Doug's
I've never really understood the popularity of the brunch specialist places - bongo room, yolk, meli, orange etc. The food is fine, but nothing special. I think Yolk and Meli are the best of them.
I think the best brunches in town are at chef-driven restaurants - The Publican and Mexique probably being my 2 favorite.
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Mexique
1529 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Last time in Chicago we ate at Tru, but this time must watch our budget
If you're looking for high quality modern american and lower prices than the restaurants you mentioned then Blackbird or Sepia would both be good options.
Alinea - good, very good, but disappointing
For me Alinea is the best food I have ever eaten, but not necesarilly the best meal i have had - it's really quite exhausting.
I will add a +1 for dissapointment over the wine. As someone who is extremely into wine, i was dissapointed with their quality and matchability. That said I have seen other people post their wines and been very impressed, so think i probably just got a bad night. Next time i go i will still get the wine pairings - for me it's just the best way to go with degustation menus.
Booking lead time at Schwa
I've heard it has come down quite a bit these days. ANyone with recent experience?
