Leaving for Chicago on Monday

Alinea - with its 24 course / 5 hour tasting menu - would be my choice for an "over the top" dinner!

Their basic 12 course tasting menu is $145 (not including liquor, tax, or tips), and the 24 course is $225 (check out http://www.alinearestaurant.com/pages/m ... s_top.html)

Im glad you mentioned Alinea. Im strongly leaning towards doing the 12 course tasting menu one night... right now im just trying to convince my +1 that it would be worth it. Everything ive read about this place seems incredible- its rated the 21st best restaurant in the world on some list i saw. I was unsure from the website if wine pairings were included in the tasting, it looks like you're saying they're not... It would certainly be pricey but hoooow can i resist???

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, i printed out this thread and will be refering to it all week.
Leaving for the airport now!

We just got back from Chicago this past weekend. I would suggest any of the Paul Kahan restaurants- avec, blackbird and the publican. We had dinner at the publican, his newest place and it was amazing. He is one of the best chefs in the country. If you go to the publican, you must have the pork belly. its their specialty. Also, they serve Col. Newsom's country ham from Princeton, Ky. It was amazing as well.

Hey Madi! I was in Chicago recently (ironically the same weekend as the Lamas') and had three wonderful meals:

We stayed at The Blackstone Renaissance Hotel on Michigan Ave. near Mileenium Park, and as luck would have it (we were starving and had no reservations upon arrival to the city on a Thursday night), the "hotel restaurant" was just the type of thing we would have planned for - it was Mercat La Planxa, an exceptionally cool place that features Catalan food and bev, tapas laden menu, creative cocktails, intelligent and friendly service, blah blah blah. The chef is a James Beard Awards Nominee and I think he's going to be featured on Iron Chef America soon. Naturally this type of thing is common for Chicago, but seriously, Madi, it's a hot spot and the locale is perfect. A foodie friend in Chicago declares it "her favorite place" and she claims Seviche to be her favorite place at home. So there's that. http://mercatchicago.com/

Secondly, I had the priveledge of LEAVING Micheal Jordan's place (awful) in favor of Hot Chocolate. http://www.hotchocolatechicago.com/ ~ also a James Beard nominee... so freakin good and I had the pleasurable company of Louisville to Chicago transplant, Amy Hoover.

Finally, if you have a chance to check out Greek Town, do... I think it's safe to say that Greek know how to entertain. I went to Artopolis, which is multi-concept bakery, market, cafe, cocktail paradise. We were led by a Greek friend (and I mean really Greek) who was born and raised in Chicago and loves life. This was my favorite meal of the week, hands down. http://www.artopolischicago.com/

I'm no expert on Chicago, but my dining choices could not have been better selected, I'm certain of it.