mgh's Profile
First time in San Antonio and in need of restaurant advice
I will be in San Antonio next week (Nov 7-11) for my first ever visit attending a conference . I will be staying in the Grand Hyatt adjacent to Hemisfair Park and River Walk. I'm looking for advice on where to eat in your city. I'm interested in great examples of your local cuisine. I'd love to not have to get in a cab, but will for a good dining experience. I am also interested in finding an interesting breakfast place that is a close walk to my hotel. And finally any advice on the local night life and bars would be greatly appreciated as well. Thanks in advance.
NY Jr. Foodie in Chicago - 1 dinner - what would it be?
I'm a New Yorker who travels to Chicago quite often on business (heck I'll be in town next week), and nsxtasy is a wealth of great info on the Chicago food scene. I was at Primehouse for the first time 2 weeks ago. Inasmuch as I've had better steak the service was great. My steak was over cooked. Upon complaint they whipped me up another one correctly, included my sides again (I had eaten them while waiting for the redo) and even included dessert (chef was embarrassed about making the mistake). I also had some wonderful apps - pot stickers. Also they had these amazing pop overs.
As to Avec, I like that it's open late in a quiet late night area. It was actually the first Chicago restaurant I've been to since becoming a frequent Chicago business traveler. I felt at home in the place; striking up conversations with other diners and servers about the restaurants I go to in New York. So it's not a bad place for a nice late night bite with a decent glass of wine.
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Avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph St Ste A, Chicago, IL 60661
What's open past 10PM on a Sunday night that's good?
Was thinking Randolph, especially Avec. Thanks.
What's open past 10PM on a Sunday night that's good?
That's right, Quartina is open late. Thanks for the suggestion.
Interesting restaurants near the Palmer House
I stay at the Palmer house quite regularly. You are a short cab ride, or walk to a lot of great restaurants. For steak I love Keefers. I'm in town next week and will definitely be going there. It's a 15 minute walk, or 5 minute cab ride. As mentioned here The Gage is literally right around the corner. It to is good place, excellent and friendly bartendars. The Wit Hotel, which is 1 block north of Palmer House, has a great roof top bar/rest. Granted November in Chicago gets cold, but they may make it hospitable for cooler weather. Fun place. Lots of places to choose from.
What's open past 10PM on a Sunday night that's good?
I always get to Miller's at least once when i come to town. I think they actually might be open to 2 AM Sundays (technically monday morning). I may actually be staying on Halstead just above Greektown, so that too is a good suggestion. Are Parthenon and Greek Islands the two you would recommend above others? Thanks for the reply.
What's open past 10PM on a Sunday night that's good?
I've been there once before, and i'm kind of thinking of going back this Sunday. Thanks for the response.
What's open past 10PM on a Sunday night that's good?
I’m arriving in Chicago around 9ish this Sunday night, staying in the Loop. I was wondering if any hounds have a recommendation for a good restaurant open past 10 PM. I come into the city at least 1 week a month and always run into this same problem. Lately I’ve been taking a cab out to Wicker Park to a BBQ place called The Smoke Daddy. They’re open late a serve a good plate of ribs. All suggestions are appreciated for any type of quisine…thanks.
Need recommendations for cocktails
Good hotel bars are great places for us out of towners. I'll check this place out as well...thanks.
Need recommendations for cocktails
All these places look exactly like what I need. Thank you. I'm actually staying in at the Westin so I'm sure to check out Clock. Thanks also for the breakfast suggestions in another post of mine.
Breakfast places in or around Union Square area
Thanks a lot for this info. It is exactly what i'm looking for. Dottie's sounds great!
Breakfast places in or around Union Square area
I’ll be in a hotel (Westin St. Francis) in the Union Square area all next week. I love breakfast, but I don’t love the high prices hotels charge for breakfast. I’m interested in recommendations for places that serve early breakfasts in or around the Union Square area. Thanks in advance!
Need recommendations for cocktails
I’ll be in town next week, staying in Union Square area. I would love some recommendations for fun/interesting/trendy (insert any adjective you like) place for cocktails. Price is not really a concern. Rooftop/outdoor recs would be great. My only caveat would be that I’d rather find someplace not so far away from the conference center/Union Square area. But if there is a great place farther away, by all means tell me about it. Thanks in advance!
Japanese Dinner & Sunday Brunch Guidance
Not for nothing I really got a kick out of your post. I don't see the word bejeezes used all that often! I too will be in town for a conference next week, and had the same exact questions as you.
Need HELP on finding restaurants for me and my 7 year old daughter
I think my daughter would really like deep dish. Back here in New Jersey we got great pizza, but in the thin crust variation, which we both love. Good suggestion, thanks.
Need HELP on finding restaurants for me and my 7 year old daughter
I was thinking the same exact thing. I've been to Quartinos and have really liked it. My daughter is much more used to their style of pizza, though I think she'll love deep dish as well. Thanks for the suggestion.
Need HELP on finding restaurants for me and my 7 year old daughter
Thanks-a-plenty nsxtasy. You've helped me out in the past when looking for restaurants for just me, so I'm sure your suggestions for my daughter will be spot on. Grandluxe Cafe as well as the Signature Room sound like very interesting picks. And thanks for the directions to China Town!
Need HELP on finding restaurants for me and my 7 year old daughter
Will definitely try one of those pizza places. Is Portinos (the place diagonal to Rain Forest Cafe) any good? We're planning on checking out both Shedd Aq. and Field Museum.
Need HELP on finding restaurants for me and my 7 year old daughter
I remember seeing a Bubba Gumps when I was last on the pier. That's a good suggestion. And I'll look up Charlies Ale House.
Need HELP on finding restaurants for me and my 7 year old daughter
Ed Debevic's is a great idea. Where exactly is China Town? I'd like to try Mexican with her, but Frontera is always so crowded. Maybe Salpicon. As to having to pay $$$ at the Rain Forest...I'm prepared, but if it wows her it will be worth it. Thanks for the suggestions.
Need HELP on finding restaurants for me and my 7 year old daughter
Oh we'll be at American Girl for sure...probably a couple of times. I've taken her to cafe in New York, which she loved. Actually I always stop there to pick up a couple of small items when in town for business.
Need HELP on finding restaurants for me and my 7 year old daughter
I'm a frequent business traveler to Chicago, and always come to this board for suggestions of where to eat. I'm bringing my wife and 7 year old daughter to town for the first time. My wife and I will eat anywhere, but my daughter not so much. We will be in town most of next week, and I really want her to enjoy herself. I'm looking for suggestions of kid friendly/fun restaurants.
Here are the particulars of my stay: in town from April 5th through the 10th; staying at the Ritz-Carlton by the Water Tower; don't have a car (will travel via foot, taxi and maybe CTA).
I plan to take her to Rain Forest Cafe...seems fun for kids. What's the name of the pizza/hot dog place across the street from it? Also plan to go to Navy Pier on the 5th; any good restaurants there? She does like Chinese, but I haven't been to a Chinese restaurant in Chicago. Where should I go?
Any and all suggestions area greatly appreciated.
1st Time in Chicago
I've recently (6 months ago) become a frequent business traveler to Chicago. This board proved to be very useful from my first trip to my most recent (2 weeks ago). The discussion nsxtasy refers to has some great suggestions.
If you are a steak eater Chicago has plenty of excellent steak houses, most within walking distance in the downtown area. The best steak I’ve had (there’s many opinions on the best steak in Chicago) was at Keefers ( www.keefersrestaurant.com ). I’ve enjoyed all of my Chicago steak house experiences, but Keefers was the best I’ve had. I also try to explore the city as much as possible when in town, of course Chicago gets a bit nippy in the winter. You might want to go outside the downtown area for a meal. I’ve been very interested in checking out Hopleaf (www.hopleaf.com ). A lot of Chicago hounds love it, especially for its mussels. I’ve only gone wrong in Chicago once, so the odds are on your side that you’ll have some good meals.
Four nights in Chicago, four dinner ideas?
I'm a frequent biz travelor to Chicago and nsxtasy's suggestions have been a great help to me. Of the places that he mentioned above I've recently been to La Sardine, Brasserie Jo, and Cafe Spiaggio. I highly recommend all of them, and they are all within your budget. In regard to deep dish pizza: the week before last I had my first try at deep dish. I'm a New Yorker, and I got to say that I like the New York thin crust style better. That's not to say that what I ate wasn't good, it was very good, but different than what I've gotten used to here in the New York area. I went to Lou Malnettis on N Wells, and like I said it was good, I just like New York style pizza better. I've had pizza at Quartinos which was very good. Brick oven variety; light and crispy crust. Are you dining solo, or with a group. I spend the majority of my time in Chicago dining alone, eating primarily at the bar, and some places seem better for solo diners than others. For instance I went for Tapas at Mercat a la Planxa alone, good food but squished bar area. I've had tapas at Iberico Cafe. Great place, especially for me dining alone. Also as Masha states below, The Gage is a good place to get a decent variety of foods that are quite good. All in all Chicago is great place for all types of food. By the way where are you traveling from?
New to Chicago
I must agree that Sweets and Savories for dinner is excellent. I can't imagine the brunch being anything but great.
New Yorker Coming to Chicago for 1st Time
I've been to Blackbird a number of times and think its OK. The service is excellent. As an out of towner myself the wait staff always give me excellent recommendations for other places to try. The food at Blackbird isn't really to my liking. It may just be my palette, but everything tastes so...how shall I say it...specific. What I mean is that they take a high quality piece of fish, meat or poultry and add very interesting ingredients that in my opinion take away from the actual taste of the original food. On the one hand they are highly imaginative with this approach, but on the other hand you may be surprised at the out come. Don't get me wrong, they prepare the food expertly. Be this as it may going to Blackbird is a good experience. I've always been made to feel like royalty when I eat there. Like I said maybe the food isn't right for my palette. You may find the food is excellent.
New Yorker Coming to Chicago for 1st Time
I'll second Avec. As a New Yorker who does a lot of business in Chicago, I always drop in to Avec. Not over the top expensive, but with imaginative food and good service. Also I always seem to meet other New Yorkers there; either bartendors or patrons. Not that you're coming to Chicago to meet other New Yorkers, but I always think its interesting to bump into someone from "home".
I've heard that Hot Dougs for hot dogs is an interesting place to go to on Sundays; it closes at 4 I think.
Sweets and Savories very good for dinner or brunch; it's outside the downtown area.
Smoque is a good BYOB BBQ place outside of the downtown area as well.
No matter where you go you're apt to have a great time. Chicago is a great city; a nice juxtaposition to New York.
Visiting Downtown InterContinental 10/19-21/08
I come to Chicago a lot for business, and stay at the Intercontinental as well. Restaurants/bars that I tend to like to eat at are: Smith and Wollensky (both main restaurant and pub), Gibsons, The Gage, Frontera Grill, Avec, Blackbird, Sweets and Savories, The Paramount Room. To me all are good; some better than others. So far my favorite has been Smith and Wollensky. A lot of Chicago natives may not like it as much as others due to the fact that it is a chain. It's very close to the hotel, plenty of room, great bar service with 2 different settings. Also I always tend to get into interesting conversations with other bar patrons. The Gage is a great gastropub. Avec has always been a fun place - interesting crowd, real interesting food and open late. The upstairs restaurant at the Intercontinental has a good breakfast. Also it's bar is pretty good as the night goes on. Check out the pool - the largest hotel pool I've ever seen! One place I've drank at but not eaten at is the Park Grill in Millenium Park. It has both an outside restaurant/bar and an indoor one. Good place when the weather is nice. I've seen a lot of posts here saying that it serves a good burger. Where ever you go you'll have a good time; Chicago is a great place! Oh and one more thing...as a lone business traveler in Chicago I inadvertantly dropped into the billy goat for a drink. It's very close to the hotel, and was a real hoot.
Looking for Good Bars to Eat Dinner at
I've eaten at Gage a couple of times. Great fish and chips.
Looking for Good Bars to Eat Dinner at
Thanks, maybe I'll head over there as well. I'm in town for the week and have a pretty decent sized expense account for meals. So if you know of anything with price not being an issue (nice problem to have) by all means send em over. Thanks.
