Taking 10 Japanese and 10 Americans to dinner on a Saturday night in downtown Chicago. Need to do Private Dining as need everyone together. Choices are Chicago Cut Steakhouse, Chicago Chop House, or David Burke's Primehouse. Does anyone have any recommendations on which to choose? Help! Thanks!!
ZB

Try: chowhound.chow.com/topics/524683
Everyone has their personal favorite pizza place. Mine is Lou Malnatti's. See the thread. Most places are a bit removed from downtown, but within walking distance if it is not pouring cats dogs and chickens and pigs like today. Hot dogs...don't know downtown...so many places just north of city in Lincoln Park, etc.
Navy Pier is a tourist thing and most of us Chicago folk stay away from there. Try for breakfast Ina's or Nookies for some local color and good food. Many other choices but both of these require a short taxi ride.
Ina's

1235 W Randolph St Chicago, IL
Nookies

1746 N Wells St Chicago, IL

ZB

No problem. You will see a mix but be comfortable in what you describe almost everywhere in Chicago.

Let us not forget our favorite, the Austrian Bakery on Clark below Diversey on the East Side. He bakes many different types of bread, and for those of us who miss a real honest German bread, it is here. Our favorite is Landbrot but the Sunflower is also great, as are the many types of Rye. And for a treat as you leave, don't forget to try the Bienen Stich which is to die for. They make all of it for the German fest in Lincoln Square but the pieces they sell in the store are the best. Also, pieces of any of the cakes...especially chocolate mousse...or Sacher Torte...enough!
Austrian Bakery 2523 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60614 Phone: (773) 244-9922

Thanks to all of those who gave us advice on if it was still worth going to. As promised, here is what we think having just had dinner last Friday night. It is worth going to. We arrived exactly on time, and were ushered into a room that just oozes with unique restaurant vibes, from ornately wallpapered ceilings, fringy lamps, to a bit less stuffy mobile cheese table that moos as it passes through the room.
Tables were close together, and while conversation was easily possible, it could always be overheard by your neighbor. This was a distraction and not really expected at a restaurant costing this much.
Our party of four ordered from the menu and picked our own wines. Tab for four was just over $250 per person. OK, the food. There is no question this is creative American cuisine. Many of the dishes were absolutely wonderful. Standouts were the soft shell crab, tuna masquerading as a filet, macaroni and cheese, and halibut. Not great were the mediterranean redfish, Seven deadly sins for desert featured three that were ok, and four really very good.
Our opinion is that there are several places in Chicago that are just as good, and on this list we would include Trotters, Tru, Alinea and perhaps one or two others. But we are glad we went.
A word on dress. Casual is really OK here. We were the only ones in the place with ties, and we quickly took them off. We did have jackets, but not necessary. Summer dresses or slacks and summer top were what most of the women wore.
The staff is very friendly and attentive but not stuffy and this really makes a difference.
A great place to stay afterwards is Hopkin Ordinary in Sperryville. Foodies: these folks make unbelievable creative breakfasts that are the best we have ever had at any restaurant, and folks we have eaten breakfast at a lot of places in a lot of countries. Good B and B with great hosts who both can COOK with mostly organic ingredients and their own innovative style. It is a five minute drive from Inn at Little Washington.

BL and all,
Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. We will post when we return and we surely will check out your recommendations.
Best,
ZB

Hey Eric,
We are actually coming for the hiking and meeting friends and staying in Sperryville at the Hopkins Ordinary. Our friends are taking us to some place in Mimslen? And we have the one night at the Inn. Any and all other recommendations would be appreciated. We are flying into IAD and then heading south and do not intend to stay in the city at all.
We just didn't want to drag clothes along if the Inn really was past its prime and we would just end up writing a poor review here or on Zagat.
ZB

Big Eats,
Thanks so much for that comeback. Really appreciate it. We disagree on Trotters, but I am sure agree on many others.
Best,ZB

Sorry, I know there have been so many posts, but I cannot find anything really recent. We are Chicago folks, used to the likes of Alinea, Charlie Trotters, Moto, Tru, Schwa and many others. We are planning a trip to Shenendoah in late July and have a Friday reservation at the Inn for dinner at 6:00 PM. Our question is, is this place worth dragging the dress clothes along for the trip? Is this still a dining experience, or is this a place that has seen its day, and we will be unimpressed and be wishing for L2O, Seasons, Les Nomades, Everest and the others mentioned above? Really appreciate your advice, and would be happy to reciprocate on Chicago! Thanks!