Chicago Travel Guide

Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois

Restaurants
Gastronomic

Alinea
At Alinea, dinner is a sensual journey through unique pairings, aromas, textures and sensations. In an intimate, earthy-toned setting, sample a 15-course Tasting Menu or 27-course Tour Menu. Each is uniquely presented, sometimes on pillows and at other times on specially designed dinnerware. For example, inside a wire basket sits a bourbon sweet potato tempura topped off with a smoldering stick of cinnamon. Reservations essential.

1723 North Halsted St, Lincoln Park
Tel: (312) 867 0110.
Website: www.alinea-restaurant.com
Price: $$$$

Arun's
Thai décor, artifacts and craftwork make Chicago's foremost Thai restaurant a Siamese sanctuary. Dinner, an ever-changing fixed-price 12-course meal, is a gourmet sampling of authentic Thai cuisine and carved vegetables. Each course, such as lobster with a sweet, spicy and sour sauce, is exquisitely presented and can be customized to suit individual tastes. Closed Monday. No lunch. Reservations are required.

4156 North Kedzie Avenue, North Side
Tel: (773) 539 1909.
Website: www.arunsthai.com
Price: $$$$

CharlieTrotters
Seasonal menus at this popular venue set the standard for Chicago's haute cuisine. Dining salons are elegant and understated while the cuisine, reflecting subtle Asian and European influences, is vibrantly colored, delicate and exquisite. Unusual pairings create delicious flavor sensations, like the parsnip and carrot cake dessert served with carrot-honey sauce and nutmeg ice cream. Three wine cellars house 25,000 bottles of wine. Reservations are required.

816 West Armitage Avenue
Tel: (773) 248 6228.
Website: www.charlietrotters.com
Price: $$$$

Everest
Perched on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange building, Everest is also tops for French dining in Chicago. Modern décor and an extensive wine list complement main courses that range from halibut wrapped in potato crust to game delicacies such as venison in wild huckleberry sauce. Creative desserts, like a crêpe-filled Moroccan date soufflé, are delicious. Closed Sunday and Monday. No lunch. Reservations are required.

440 South LaSalle Street, 40th floorTel: (312) 663 8920.
Website: www.everestrestaurant.com
Price: $$$$

LesNomades
This refurbished mansion is tucked away but there is not-to-be-missed dining in its stylish salons. Service is low-key, but the contemporary French cuisine is high quality. Main courses are sometimes interestingly paired, such as squab and ostrich with vegetables and chocolate-scented squab jus. Closed Sunday and Monday. No lunch. Reservations are required.

222 East Ontario Street
Tel: (312) 649 9010.
Website: www.lesnomades.net
Price: $$$$

TRU
TRU's minimalist setting showcases the maximum in taste. The Caviar Staircase starter features a different type of caviar on each rung. Though menus change daily, award-winning chef Rick Tramonto might offer a prime beef ribeye with garlic emulsion or truffle freeform lobster with mushrooms while renowned pastry chef Gale Gand whips up sumptuous chocolate desserts. Guests can tour the kitchen. Reservations required.

676 North Saint Clair Street
Tel: (312) 202 0001.
Website: www.trurestaurant.com
Price: $$$$

Trendy

ChinaGrill
An open kitchen, illuminated see-through bar and black and red décor creates a hip atmosphere. Asian-fusion entrees are large and meant to be shared, but offerings like the Caesar salad with spiced cashews or the sweet soy marinated skirt steak with noodles and shitake mushrooms are so luscious you might want to eat them all yourself. The friendly staff will gladly assist you with savoury suggestions.

230 North Michigan Avenue in the Hard Rock Hotel
Tel: (312) 334 6700.
Website: www.chinagrillmgt.com
Price: $$$

Gibson's
Gibson's is a favorite for native carnivores, tourists and celebrities like Michael Jordan. A friendly staff serves steaks smothered with any combination of blue cheese, onions, crushed pepper, mushrooms, garlic or Cajun rub. Consider sharing your meal because it portions are laughingly large - potatoes almost the size of footballs, humungous desserts and beef portions so huge, the only thing missing are the horns and the tail.

1028 North Rush St.
Tel: (847) 928 9900.
Website: www.GibsonsSteakhouse.com

Green Zebra
Cosy and uniquely designed, angles set off this venue of high ceilings, minimalist décor of grey, white and green plants. A seasonally changing menu offers an array of elegantly served vegetarian tapas (all mains are small plates) which might include raviolis with goat cheese, hazelnut and dates or parmesan caraway gnocchi. For those who prefer meat, there is a selection of chicken or fish.

1460 West Chicago Avenue
Tel: (312) 243 7100.
Website: www.greenzebrachicago.com
Price: $$$

FogodeChão
A ranchy atmosphere prepares the diner for espetocorridor (continuous service). Diners receive a two-sided chip. Green side means 'go' and will immediately summon a gaucho chef. He will have long skewer of one of 15 different cuts of meat to carve at your table. Turn the chip to red and be left to savour those numerous tasty morsels. Accompaniments include a massive salad bar and a fine wine selection.

661 North LaSalle Street
Tel: (312) 932 9330.
Website: www.fogodechao.com
Price: $$$

Sushisamba Rio
Maybe former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori (he was Japanese) was the inspiration for Sushisamba Rio. South American/Japanese specialties go from empanadas, and churrasco (thick grilled steak) to sushi and bento boxes. Brightly colored high ceilings with large puffy cloud-like light fixtures make the décor as creative as the menu. On Wednesdays after 2200, there are live samba and capoeira (African-Brazilian martial arts) performances.

504 North Wells Street
Tel: (312) 595 2300.
Website: www.sushisamba.com
Price: $$$

Budget

LouMitchell's
The exterior neon sign is straight out of the 1950s, and, for that matter, so is the interior. Since 1923, customers have been attracted by the variety of freebies given here, such as doughnut holes or Milk Duds (caramel-covered chocolate candies) while waiting to be seated, a prune and orange wedge for breakfast and, for lunch, soft-serve ice cream. Located near Union Station. Breakfast and lunch.

565 West Jackson Boulevard
Tel: (312) 939 3111.
Website: www.loumitchellsrestaurant.com
Price: $

Mr. Beef On Orleans
Sidle up to the high counter at Mr. Beef On Orleans and order a spicy, Italian beef on an Italian roll, a burger or an Italian sausage. Be forewarned. If you don't lean over the Formica counter when eating these huge sloppy sandwiches, the tell-tale stains on your clothes will let everyone know what you had for lunch. Mr. Beef is a favorite of everyone-gourmets and ordinary folk. No dinner.

666 N. Orleans Street
Tel: 312-337-8500
Price: $

PizzeriaUno
Chicago deep-pan pizza was born at Pizzeria Uno. Its cellar-like atmosphere has not changed much since it opened in 1943. Customers still clamour for Uno's crunchy-crust pizza topped with fresh tomatoes, a thick layer of sausage and lots of mozzarella cheese. Be prepared to wait, because reservations are not accepted at this ever-popular restaurant. Open every day for lunch and dinner.

29 East Ohio Street
Tel: (312) 280 5120
Website: www.pizzeriauno.com
Price: $

Superdawg
A bit out-of-the-way, but this funky venue is worth the ride. It's easy to spot -just look for the giant red-eyed girl and boy Superdawgs standing on the roof. Since 1948, patrons have driven in, placed their order, and had a carhop bring their juicy frankfurter and fries in a box to their car. A bit of trivia: Superdawg is listed in the book, "1000 Places to See Before You Die".

6363 N. Milwaukee Avenue
Tel: (773) 478 7800.
Website: www.superdawg.com

Wishbone
Located across from Harpo Studios and the Oprah Show, Wishbone is Southern comfort at very reasonable prices. Spacious and friendly, this is a good choice for down-home Cajun, soul and Southern food. The hoppin' John or hoppin' Jack (rice with black-eyed peas or black beans), baked bone-in ham, bacon and mushroomed studded grits and key lime pie all get raves. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday and Monday nights.

1001 West Washington
Tel: (312) 850 2663.
Website: www.wishbonechicago.com
Price: $$

Branch: 3300 North Lincoln Avenue
Tel: (773) 549 2663.
Closed Monday nights.

Personal Recommendations

RussianTeaTime
Located close to the Symphony Center and Art Institute, this venue, with its soft lights, round red banquettes and Russian music, sets the scene for vodka, stroganoff and many vegetarian dishes. Black bread, beet caviar and carrot salad accompany almost every tasty entrée. Ample combination plates for two include croquettes, stroganoff and other tasty morsels. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Dinner reservations are recommended.

77 East Adams Street
Tel: (312) 360 0000.
Website: www.russianteatime.com
Price: $$$

Nightlife

With a variety of entertainment venues, which vary from the boisterous (dance clubs) to the serene (wine bars), Chicago swings. Entertain yourself in Lincoln Park, the Gold Coast, Old Town and Streeterville (north of the Loop), Greek Town (west of the Loop) and the newest hot spots - River North, Wicker Park and Bucktown. Rush Street, once the happening place, has come back with its many upscale restaurants and outdoor cafes. Most bars close around 0200 or 0300 on Friday and Saturday nights, but outdoor gardens close at 2300. Check www.chicagoreader.com, www.cityofchicago.org, http://chicago.citysearch.com or www.metromix.com for comprehensive reviews and details.

Bars: Looking for a happening singles bar? Visit Original Mothers, 26 West Division, which was featured in the movie, About Last Night; Butch McGuire's, 20 West Division; or The Lodge, across the street at 16 West Division. The 2.74m fiberglass moose (9-ft) at the entrance and the canoe, cross-country skis and log cabin-style bar seats inside reminds customers of points north at Will's Northwood's Inn, 3030 North Racine. Goose Island Brewpub, 1800 North Clybourn is Chicago's most famous brewery and has 10 different beers on tap. The young crowd also frequents Sound Bar, 226 West Ontario Street, Enclave, 220 West Chicago Avenue, Crobar, 1543 North Kingsbury, and Berlin Nightclub, 945 Belmont, a multicultural club where DJs play progressive, dance music.

Diehard Cub fans spend their time at sports bars near Wrigley Field - Cubby Bear Lounge, 1059 West Addison or Hi-Tops, 3551 North Sheffield. The spacious Joe's Bar, 940 West Weed Street, is a combination live music, Thursday night karaoke and sports bar. Its many TVs and 14 different satellite feeds make it a favorite hangout for avid sports fans.

If wine bars are more to your palate, get a grape education with every glass of wine at Bin 36, 339 North Dearborn Street, or at The Tasting Room, 1415 West Randolph. This chic, two-floor bar offers sweeping skyline vistas with every libation. For those who prefer the bubbly, there is Pops for Champagne, 601 North State Street, which boasts more than 140 different kinds of the stuff.

There are alternative country acts and a soul-gospel DJ at the 1940s-styled California Clipper, 1002 North California Avenue. Map mavens frequent the Map Room, 1949 North Hoyne Avenue, which, on Tuesday evenings, has a free buffet with different international cuisine each Tuesday, but you must purchase two drinks. For both sipping and scenery, nothing can compare to the spectacular views from the lounge of the Signature Room at the 95th at the John Hancock, 875 North Michigan Avenue.

Clubs: A stone walkway leads to the chic and sexy disco and lounge, Le Passage (www.lepassage.com), 937 North Rush and the Romanesque fortress-styled Excalibur (www.excaliburchicago.com), 632 North Dearborn, is an equally popular dance setting. Salsa favorites include Rumba, 351 West Hubbard Street and Nacional 27, 325 West Huron Street. There is jazz, blues and dancing at the New Checkerboard Lounge for Blues'n'Jazz, 5201 South Harper Court, where stars and wannabees play to a crowd of locals, university students and adoring fans.

Comedy: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Rick Moranis got their start at the popular The Second City, 1616 North Wells Street. The city's best stand-up comedian spot is Zanies Comedy Club, 1548 North Wells Such notables as Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld and Jackie Mason have performed there. Teams compete for audience approval at Comedy Sports, 929 West Belmont.

Live Music: Chicago has a healthy musical tradition covering everything - jazz, rock, country, blues and piano lounges. Blue Chicago, 736 North Clark (www.bluechicago.com) and B.L.U.E.S., 2519 North Halsted (www.chicagobluesbar.com), are where the tourists go to hear live performers. The neighborhood is iffy but the jazz is great at the nearly century-old Green Mill, 4802 North Broadway (www.greenmilljazz.com). It also hosts the Uptown Poetry Slam on Sundays. Buddy Guy's Legends, 754 South Wabash (www.buddyguy's.com), has also been around for quite a while. House of Blues, 329 North Dearborn (www.hob.com), at the base of Marina City, features rhythm and blues in the evenings and a Gospel brunch every Sunday. At the Elbo Room, 2871 North Lincoln Avenue (www.elboroomchicago.com), sounds range from rock and acid jazz to funk, soul and pop. Other venues include Metro, 3730 North Clark Street (www.metrochicago.com), popular with the pierced-tongue crowd, and Double Doors, 1572 North Milwaukee Avenue (www.doubledoor.com). The new popular kid in town for live modern jazz is Close Up 2, 416 South Clark Street (www.closeup2jazz.com).

Useful booking numbers are Jazz Hotline (tel: (312) 427 3300) and the Concert Line (tel: (312) 666 6667). Tickets for rock concerts can be purchased from Ticketmaster (tel: (312) 559 1212.