In a couple of weeks I am going to Chicago. Anyone here have any suggestions for must stop by eats or drinks? Or how about tours?? I am planning on going to the Sears Tower, and going to the top, hopefully the roof top if possible to walk around. Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I was going to Chicago for business for about a year, and I've always wanted to do the sunset architectural river cruise. It was always booked whenever I had some free time, but I would definitely look into it.

As for restaurants, I tried Bin 36 for the first time, and I enjoyed their wines very much. They had a number of tasting flights that were inexpensive and a cheese course(s) that were yummy.

I'm sure others from the area will chime in as well.

Alinea. Tour menu. Do it.

It was 24 courses when I was there in April, but it's now 27 courses. $225 now but so worth it. Wine pairings too.

I'd recommend The Blackbird Cafe. I was there recently with Een, and I know that W+A enjoyed it recently as well. Nice find, delicious food, and a very concise wine list.

Just had a great meal at Sepia- look it up, and reserve now if you're coming in a few weeks.

North Pond is one of my favorite overall restaurants- classy and classic in a beautiful setting in a park.

Graham Elliot is very interesting.

There are hundreds of very good restaurants in this city. Check out Chicago Magazine if you can find it, or go online to metromix.com for further info (metromix used to be better). Also, check out previous threads, I'm sure you'll find more info.

As indy said, Blackbird is awesome.

+1 for Blackbird

Another vote for Alinea and Blackbird.

Really depends what you are looking for, but the following are several always on my hit list.

Blackbird
KiKi's Bistro
Salpicon
Schwa
Avec
Spacca Niapoli
Zealous

We need Een to jump in here!

How come no one has mentioned a kosher hotdog at Wrigley Field ? Isn't that the greatest dish served in Chicago?

Or does it only taste good when the Cubs win?

quote:

Originally posted by Seaquam:
How come no one has mentioned a kosher hotdog at Wrigley Field ? Isn't that the greatest dish served in Chicago?

Or does it only taste good when the Cubs win?

Actually, Seaq, about 4 blocks away the Clark Dog is THE Chicago classic.

Highly recommend doing a tour through the Chicago Architecture Foundation.

http://www.architecture.org/

The art gallery is phenomenal and well worth checking out. I agree with the fine choice of restaurants others have mentioned, but you've gotto try the famous deep dish pizza.

quote:

Originally posted by DoktaP:
The art gallery is phenomenal and well worth checking out. I agree with the fine choice of restaurants others have mentioned, but you've gotto try the famous deep dish pizza.

I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say the, "art gallery." Are you referring to the Art Institute? A little bit more than an art gallery.

*****************************
LOVE TYSON CHICKEN! YUM.

I'd skip the Sears Tower, unless you're doing a Ferris Bueller tour.

I'd be sure to visit The Field Museum.

Favorite dining- Kiki's Bistro, 900 North Franklin, for great duck and fairly priced Burgundy

Avoid Charlie Trotter's

The Dining Room at The Ritz Carlton was wonderful.

quote:

Originally posted by Berno:
I'd skip the Sears Tower, unless you're doing a Ferris Bueller tour.

Nine times....

quote:

Originally posted by Board-O:
I'd be sure to visit The Field Museum.

Favorite dining- Kiki's Bistro, 900 North Franklin, for great duck and fairly priced Burgundy

Avoid Charlie Trotter's

The Dining Room at The Ritz Carlton was wonderful.

I am definitely making reservations for Blackbird. Alinea will have to be for a different visit.

You mentioned avoid Charlie Trotter's. Let me know why, I am quite curious.

The original Pizzeria Uno or Due if you want some true Chicago style pizza. Nothing at all like the chains you see across the country. Everything is different: crust, sauce, sausage, etc. Love it.

Also really enjoy Gibson's Steakhouse! -mJ

I thought the Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton was gone. The website now lists The Cafe and The Greenhouse. I don't know if what was the Dining Room is now one of those?

If you're looking also for recommendations of things to see, when out of town visitors visit us most are impressed by the Field Museum and the Art Insitute. If you've been to big art museums (the Met in NY, or the Louvre, or some other European art museums) don't expect something on that scale. If you're into impressionists you'll find a lot to like. It is nice.

Our favorite things to take people to (over and over and over) are the Field and the various Frank Lloyd Wright things (Robie house at UofC and his studio in Oak Park).

Blackbird is a winner.

Like futronic, wine+art, and others, it is Alinea and Blackbird for me. I also had a great meal at Mercat a la Planxa in the Blackstone Hotel. It is a tapas style restaurant but much better than any I have had elsewhere. Interesting wine list that pairs well with the food.

And the architectural cruise is a must.

PSF, we had a bad experience there from the moment we arrived and were seated next to 2 loud, smelly (Middle Eastern) men and had trouble getting our table changed. The appetizer and main courses on the tasting menu were mediocre to OK, the dessert courses excellent. My 116 was hungry when we left and the price was way too high for the experience.

By the way, I second the excellent architecual cruise.

FYI- the Art Institute is free on Thursday and Friday nights until Labor Day. Keep that in mind if you will be here before then.

Forget Alinea unless you made reservations 6 months ago. Even if you had reservations, I would not recommend it. Post from my visit.

VM

Opinions on Alinea are not surprisingly going to be split. It really depends on what you're looking for. If you have no qualms about being adventurous and letting random dishes with unusual textures and flavour combinations, then you're going to have a fantastic time. If, on the other hand, you're looking for more traditional cuisine and flavours, then it's probably not going to be your thing.

I went in April with WIML, PURPLE, and Longboarder and we all had a fantastic time. I'd been looking forward to the meal for months, and it still exceeded my expectations. Out of 24 dishes, there was only 1 I disliked and 1-2 I was "cool" on.

Regardless, the service will be fantastic.