best authentic gelato

Cafe Gelato on Division between Damen and Western. Hands down the BEST.

the brat in Chicago Area

Recommendations for area near Crown Plaza Metro

I live in that area as well - in fact I can see your hotel out my window. To add on to the myriad choices already suggested on the previous 2 responses, I'd add:

1) You mentioned Indian. Veerasway does get points for creativity, but it is definitely an Americanized (maybe stylized is a less judgemental word?) version of Indian. A more authentic (and excellent) Indian place called Jaipur recently opened right across the street from Veerasway. It is one of the two best Indian restauarants I've tried in Chicago.

2) I'm Greek and mostly vegetarian, and I find the Greek restauarants to be a fairly sad representation of Greek food. The appetizers are usually quite good at most places, and Santorini does have good fish. I can't speak to the meat dishes at anyplace, but if a Greek place can't do a decent Spanakopita, I lose respect. Bottom line, I think Chicago has plenty of other places that are closer to "must-tries" than our Greektown. If you insist, I'd stick to Greek Islands, Santorini (right across the street from Greek Islands), or Venus (actually Cyprian food) a 1/2 block west of Halsted at 820 W. Jackson.

3) There's a good Mexican place on Randolph a few doors down from Veerasway called DeCero. Also a stylized version of Mexican, but they do mix in more traditional dishes. There's a cheaper one across the street called Perez, which is more of a typical Mexican restaurant. It's good though, for sure.

4) For breakfast/brunch, I second the suggestion for Meli.

5) For lunch, Artopolis (306 S. Halsted, across the street from Meli) is perfect. Great salads, sandwiches, and their "pitas" which are pies similar to spanakopita but stuffed with all kinds of things besides the traditional spinach and feta. It's also a bakery and a cafe, with a full liquor license, and lots of atmophere to boot.

If you have more specific questions, I'm happy to answer!

the brat in Chicago Area

First Time in Chicago

In Greektown, the restaurants are very hit or miss. So if you make it there (take the blue line to UIC Halsted), I recommend Venus (actually Cypriot food) just off Halsted on Jackson, Santorini for seafood, and Artopolis for a more bakery, sandwiches, soups kind of place. Outside of greek stuff, I agree with the recos for Sayat Nova. Pretty atmosphere, cheap, and great food. If you can get to Logan square (blue line to Logan), Lula Cafe is really nice, though not ethnic, with organic local ingredients and a range of entree prices. Good luck!

the brat in Chicago Area