ChemWork's Profile
Food and Impressionism
Thank you all for this helpful information. Do you have any suggestions for Provence?
Food and Impressionism
Bonjour French Chowhounders:
I have an odd request. A friend of mine is teaching a university course on Chemistry and Impressionism in Paris and Provence (Avignon, Aix and Nice and surrounding areas) next January. I'm wondering if any of you had suggestions about restaurants, cafes, bistros in those areas that might have some relevance to any of the Impressionists or Impressionism in general. We'll be scouting out locations in a few weeks and we can check out any suggestions you have. Thanks very much for your assistance.
In chicago this weekend 3/17 -20 Dining recs needed please
I will also recommend Mexique (I just took the bus from Michigan Ave). Salpicon is also worth a visit although I liked the food a bit better at Mexique. If you are OK with eating at the bar Frontera Grill is doable (and excellent). You can order off both the Frontera and Topolobampo menus. Otherwise you will need to get there at least 15 minutes before they open or be prepared for a very long wait. I agree with TRU for fine dining. Can't help with seafood.
Favorite Dishes at Naha, Mundial Cucina Mestiza, Piccolo Sogno and Everest?
I'll be dining at these restaurants next week and I was wondering if anyone would care to share their preferences. Is there a can't miss dish at any of these? I generally order appetizer, main course and dessert. I'm thinking of doing the seasonal tasting menu at Everest and would appreciate any feedback. I will report back on my experiences. Thanks for your help.
-----
Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60622
Naha
500 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610
Nomi, Naha, Sprout or ?
Thanks for your thoughtful responses. This is exactly the information that I need.
Nomi, Naha, Sprout or ?
Hello Chicago Chowhounds:
Thanks for all of the thoughtful posts, especially from the frequent contributors. I'm trying to find a fourth restaurant for a trip in December. I will be dining at Mundial Cocina Mestiza, Piccolo Sogno, and Everest. I'm looking for another restaurant with different cuisine. I'm interested in higher end places with bold/interesting flavor combinations that are somewhat quiet (I like to read a book between courses). I have previously dined at Alinea and Avenues and Tru (all phenomenal), Les Nomades (very good), Mexique and Frontera (both excellent), Cafe Spiaggia (also excellent), Spring (excellent), Avec (very good, but too loud), Keefers and David Burke (both excellent, but I'm not interested in steak this time), Shaw's and Hugo's (both very good, but too loud), Sable (excellent, but not the atmosphere I'm interested in this time). I'm leaning towards Naha. I haven't seen much on this board about Nomi since it re-opened. The restaurant should be close to public transportation (I'm staying in Streeterville). Thanks for all of your help.
-----
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Mundial Cocina Mestiza
1640 W 18th St, Chicago, IL 60608
Avec Restaurant
615 W Randolph St Ste A, Chicago, IL 60661
Cafe Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Mexique
1529 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Les Nomades
222 E Ontario, Chicago, IL 60611
Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60622
Naha
500 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610
5 days in NYC coming up. Review our eating itinerary?
macaronette
It will help the regulars on this board if you give some sort of idea of type of cuisine/budget/location you are looking for. I think "very NYC dinner" is open to too many different interpretations.
Mexican Suggestions for Northern Virginia
I need help finding a Mexican restaurant (or other Latin cuisines) in Northern Virginia. I'm staying in Ashburn and I'm willing to drive 30-45 minutes. I would prefer not to go into DC. Any price point is acceptable and I would like to avoid chain places. Thank you for your assistance.
Review of my first-ever fine dining experience: RW lunch at Tocqueville
brighton312:
Your review was very sincere and a pleasure to read. I'm glad you had a nice fine dining experience. I remember what a revelation my first one was (Gotham Bar and Grill). I think you should always feel free to ask how to pronounce things on the menu and/or ask what it is! I have found that restaurant staff are very eager, especially at fine dining establishments, to answer questions. I actually feel like I get better service the more questions I ask about the food and wine. At Jean Georges a few years ago I really wanted to know what some tiny green leaves were, the server did not know, but inquired at the kitchen (micro celery). I also asked how to pronounce Vongerichten (he was in the kitchen).
I have read many good reports of Tocqueville and yours has just added impetous for me to try it the next time I'm in NYC.
Casual Dinner spot near Gramercy for 3 adults + teenager
The Tavern Room at Gramercy Tavern might work for you. Take a look at the menu online.
-----
Gramercy Tavern
42 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003
Best eats for single girl on Magnificent Mile area
hhaaland:
Every restaurant in Chicago (and other cities) is OK for a solo diner. I've eaten solo at Sable and TRU (two very different restaurants) and felt comfortable at both. You might want to provide more information about what food type and budget so that the regulars on this board can provide some appropriate choices.
Eleven Madison Park Dinner: Prix Fixe or Tasting Menu??
I think your friends might like to see a wide variety of different dishes so the prix fixe might be a better idea. With the tasting menu everyone gets the same thing, although, as loratliff points out, it is fun to be surprised. When I dine solo I tend to get the tasting, but if I'm with someone else or a group I like prix fixe (unless there are choices on the tasting menu; Daniel was the last restaurant I went to that had two choices for each course on the tasting menu). You should talk to the personnel at EMP once you are there and make the decision as a group. Don't hesitate to point out that this is the first fine dining experience for some of you and ask their advice. With the new menu format the staff must be used to a lot of questions. I think you have made a good choice and you really can't go wrong with either prix fixe or tasting.
Special Event Dinner
uhockey:
Thanks for the clarification. The restaurant personnel did not make that clear to us when we were at the restaurant. We were just handed the menu with the two tasting options (no mention on the menu was made that courses could be ordered a la carte). Regardless, I think there are more course choices at TRU than at Avenues. The progression of the courses on the Avenues tasting menu was very thoughtful and delicious (with the exception of the last dessert which was just average). I'm not sure I would order a la carte at Avenues since the tasting menu was so good. When I'm with a larger group I think it's fun to see more dishes.
Special Event Dinner
candidcio
I have eaten at some of the higher-end restaurants (Alinea, TRU, Avenues, Les Nomades)mentioned by the other respondents and I agree that Alinea is above the others. I preferred TRU and Avenues to Les Nomades in terms of food (more inventive) and atmosphere (less stuffy, althought Les Nomades was not really stuffy). I think it is hard to go wrong with either TRU or Avenues. You should realize that Avenues has a choice of two tasting menus only (one is vegetarian), while at TRU you can do a tasting menu or prix fixe (and you can do a dessert tasting). So, if your party wants to see a whole bunch of different dishes TRU would be the better choice. I had excellent service (food and wine) at both. Neither one has a particularly good view, although the interiors of both are very nice. The tables are spread further apart at Avenues, but TRU has more interesting art (if you enjoy modern art). I hope this meal is part of an excellent birthday for your wife.
-----
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Les Nomades
222 E Ontario, Chicago, IL 60611
Rethinking Babbo
I think you are going to find negative comments on this board about every restaurant in NYC. Was there something in particular about the negative comments that has turned you off Babbo? For instance, you might not care for the loud music. Otherwise, I think there are enough positive comments about the food that you should keep the reservation. One way to save some money might be to order bottles of wine instead of doing the wine pairings, particularly if there are more than two of you. I had a really great meal at Babbo and have nothing really negative to say about it apart from the noise which was a little loud. If you are interested in a quiet, romantic dinner Babbo may not be the best place.
-----
Babbo
110 Waverly Pl, New York, NY 10011
advice for celebrating in Chicago
elenabrand
At Avenues you have a choice of two tasting menus and one is vegetarian. I'm not sure how easy it is to substitute courses although I'm sure they will accommodate any allergies. I had the non-vegetarian menu a few months ago and every dish was excellent except the final dessert which was just average.
Sable Review
chicgail
I agree with you about the deviled eggs--they would be excellent at twice the price. I am somewhere in-between you and nsxtasy about the corn brulee. I also understand your dissatisfaction with the short rib sliders. I got the half order (2), ate one and loved it. Then I went to a couple of my other dishes. When I got back to the other slider it had dried out considerably.
Avenues, Tru, Les Nomades, or Everest?
I have not eaten at Everest, but it's at the top of my list for my next trip to Chicago. Of the other three I agree with nsxtasy and Chihab that Les Nomades is weaker, although I think it is a little closer to TRU and Avenues. Avenues has two tasting menus only (one is vegetarian) while at TRU you can order prix fixe or do a tasting. I really enjoyed my meals at TRU and Avenues and it's hard to pick a winner. The food and service were exceptional at both. Les Nomades was a much cosier restaurant with very good food and excellent service.
-----
Les Nomades
222 E Ontario, Chicago, IL 60611
Pre-dinner cocktails with family, mixed-age group (25-65)
I found the cocktails at Sable (N. State and Illinois) very enjoyable. There were a number of bar tables that could accommodate 6 people. You can see their extensive cocktail menu online.
Alinea now ranked #6 on World's Best List [moved from Chicago]
willyum:
What was the sample size for each restaurant? If there are fewer respondents for Open Table in Chicago that might skew the results. After Alinea I do think there is no clear-cut #2 in Chicago. Perhaps people are making more comparisons to Alinea than they are rating the restaurants on their own merit. Interesting observation by you.
-----
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Where am I going to dinner on Tuesday? Help me decide, please!
nycreba
I've done the TRU/Cafe Spiaggia combination on consecutive nights and I thought it was a nice contrast. I also had a great meal recently at Sable which is even more relaxed than Cafe Spiaggia. So, I don't think you can go wrong with either choice. I understand your concern about hotel restaurants but you can hardly tell that Sable is part of a hotel.
-----
Cafe Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Boston 'hound coming for a visit....and a little overwhelmed...
twentyoystahs:
I've eaten twice at the bar at Frontera and it's pretty fun (although it can get crowded). I really enjoy watching and interacting with the bartenders. As nsxtasy points out you can order off both menus. I think you should try to sample Rick Bayliss's cuisine.
One night in Chicago and Alinea is booked
I was just making the observation that Avenues had a better view than Alinea. At Alinea (I was on the first floor) I just saw other tables and a little of the kitchen. At Avenues I could see some of the lights of the city and a little of the Water Tower as you describe. The view of the outside made Avenues feel a little more spacious than Alinea.
-----
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
One night in Chicago and Alinea is booked
Frobisher:
I think you have made a good back-up choice in Avenues. I dined there recently and had an outstanding meal. Many of the dishes were as tasty as those at Alinea. The view is also better. Of course, Avenues lacks some of the inventiveness of Alinea, although it is cheaper. I thought the service was comparable.
-----
Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614
Bar Room at the Modern (non-RW) Review
I'm with kathryn on this one. I went with two others and we had three savory dishes apiece and loved all of them. None had pork and I really don't remember the onions being prevalent. I thought the restaurant had a very lively atmosphere and really didn't notice the music. We were there for dinner.
Searchging for my next " WOW, that was amazing dinner". What would you suggest?
I had a WOW experience at the Modern Bar Room. I have not been to the Dining Room but I have seen a lot of positive reviews. I had an excellent dinner at Daniel in all respects (food, service, atmosphere). Degustation is a good choice, but I don't think it compares with the Modern or Daniel.
-----
The Modern
9 West 53rd Street, New York, NY 10019
suggestions for anniversary dinner for ny chowhounds
adamandeve:
You might consider Sable as a fun place to go. The cocktails are great and the food is excellent, especially considering the price. You'll find many positive reviews on this board for Sable. I thought the atmosphere was fun like Frontera Grill, just without the insane number of people. I had a very nice meal at Mexique (Mexican with French influences) although the restaurant was only about one-quarter full so it did not seem so fun. Happy anniversary.
-----
Frontera Grill
445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
Mexique
1529 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Alinea, L20, what else?
Once again, it's very interesting how people can have different experiences. I found the food at TRU to be delicious and composed with an array of interesting flavors and beautiful presentation. (They also gave me a free gnocchi dish and half-glass of wine.) The service was some of the best I have ever had--very warm, but professional.
Ordering Strategy for Solo at Sable
nsxtasy:
Thank you for the link and your usual thorough and helpful reply. I imagined that those prices were for half-portions and I was assuming that they would be on the small size given the low prices. Now I am forewarned. I will report back on this meal and my meals at Avenues, Mexique, and Les Nomades (you had suggested Shanghai Terrace on an earlier post and I gave that very careful consideration so thanks for that as well.)
-----
Shanghai Terrace
108 E Superior, Chicago, IL 60611
Mexique
1529 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
Les Nomades
222 E Ontario, Chicago, IL 60611
Ordering Strategy for Solo at Sable
I'll be dining solo at Sable next week and I was wondering what a good ordering strategy would be. I've looked at the menu and I don't quite understand the two prices for some of the dishes. I would like to try as many dishes as possible and it's too bad I don't have a partner to share. I have a pretty good appetite and generally order appetizer/entree/dessert at more traditional restaurants. I suppose I could just order one dish at a time and see how that goes. I plan on ordering the sweet corn creme brulee on the advice a few posters on this board. Are there other dishes that any of you would recommend (I eat anything)? Also, are there any cocktails that are really awesome--their list is very daunting. Thank you very much for your assistance.
