unagithefish's Profile
Tourists Seeking Unusual Chicago Food Spots
I drove by Sticky Rice over the weekend and it was closed with a giant "License Suspended" sign on the door. But in my mind it was always a 2nd place finisher to Spoon Thai... also on Western, about a mile up. It's BYOB and is next to a liquor store.
Spoon Thai 4608 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL - (773) 769-1173
You must go to Hot Doug's (yes, the line is a pain, and bring CASH) but it's also worth hitting Wiener's Circle or something for a Chicago dog. At Hot Doug's you'll want to try the game dog of the day or something equally interesting... you can get a Chicago dog elsewhere for cheaper.
The ethiopian at Ras is great.
And I love Mercat - they have some outdoor tables now on Mich Ave so you can people-watch (though the city buses are LOUD) - every single bite there is amazing... but it's very pricey. $11 for 4 stuffed dates, that kind of thing.
Also two of my fave brunch spots are Lula Cafe (in Logan Sq) and Hot Chocolate (on Damen in Bucktown). Awesome. But HC was just written up in the Trib so the line may be longer than usual and Lula is always crowded. M Henry is packed, too, so you'll be looking at a wait no matter what.
We've got a heavy Eastern Euro influence too if that interests you.. Smak Tak (you need a car) has AMAZING pierogis and Beograd Meat Market has burek - I'd call it a meat or cheese pie but that doesn't do it justice. It tastes like you've baked a pot of macaroni and cheese and filo dough. It will change your life.
Top it all off with frozen custard at Scooters (try the PB&J concrete).
Have fun!
Alinea
A word on the wine pairing...
When I went (and did the Tour) they offered us the wine pairing and priced it based on how much we drank. I don't like dessert wine... they offered me a different white wine... and when i had had enough, they stopped pouring. And my pairing was a good $40-$50 cheaper than my boyfriend's, who drank everything they offered.
You will love it. The food is out of this world but the service is equally stunning. Attentive, not intrusive, and no snootiness.
Anyone been to Otom yet?
How's the food and how are the prices?
thinking about going this week...
after getting recs here, I went to one sixtyblue ... and it blew. :(
I absolutely agree.
My sister came to town from Vegas and after reading these boards picked 160 as her big meal out... it was sooooo overpriced for what it was.
Service was terrible - maybe they don't have enough waiters on staff? - and for $40 the entree better be amazing. And it just wasn't.
For $280 for 3 people without wine and tip... I'd rather do Blackbird, Avenues, even Hot Dougs over this place.
30th Birthday Party
Tsuki (Japanese) has a private room upstairs with its own bar. The food there is excellent and depending what you order, reasonable. I got a tour of that room with the owners one night and it looked like a great place for your sized group... can mill around and drink until everyone shows up.
