Chicago suggestions?

My husband and I are traveling to Chicago to celebrate our 10th Anniversary. We are excited about trying out some new places to eat and was wondering if you have any suggestions. We are looking at moderate prices most nights and someplace really nice for our actual anniversary.

I also have to say that I have been reading this forum for a while and LOVE it! I don't post much, but I have learned a lot from keeping up with you all. Thanks.

Gioco is a very good Italian place. Well its one of the best I have ever been to. In or out of Italy. Extremely authentic. It's not too far from the football stadium and the aquarium.

http://www.gioco-chicago.com

Go to Vosges chocolate's "Vosges Haut-Chocolat Boutiques" at 520 N. Michigan Avenue. It's a chocolate cafe that is awesome.

There are all the Chicago style pizza places too. They are everywhere.

There is also citysearch
http://chicago.citysearch.com/find/sect ... rants.html

I've always wanted to make it here.... http://www.charlietrotters.com/restaurant/

....someday....someday

Congratulations!! and have a great time whatever/wherever you choose

For really nice I recommend Avenues or Blackbird.

For moderate I recommend Avec (highly!) and Frontera Grill (also highly)

Otherwise, stick with Chicago dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and pizza.

second blackbird, avec and frontera grill. have never been disappointed at any of the three!
i would also add a nuevo latino restaurant called Nacional 27. beautiful space, amazing cocktails and delicious food. price is reasonable as well. very upscale but you can make it a great night out for two for around $120. that included dinner and tip, plus wine and cocktails!

(p.s. i started a thread on this in february. maybe someone can post a link.. it was very helpful to me!)

http://www.myspeakerscorner.com/forum/i ... mid=610079

figured out how to post it myself!

Yes, Frontera Grill is nice. Tru is really awesome and really expensive almost in the realm of stupid prices. Easy to drop 300 to 500 bucks there but you dont have to. They also take you through the kitchen, which I thought interesting. I did see Gale Gand in there though.

Also Moto is really good and really strange. High tech eating.

If you can make it out to any of the 3 locations for Pompeii you would not be disappointed, excellent Italian fare.

Another vote for Frontera and it's baby brother Topolobampo, last time I was in Chicago I dropped by see what it was like and ended up going back two more times.
Tried to get into Tru for three days and never could get a table. I'll just have to go back.

For the high end, Tru is wonderful. Also high end, Les Nomades on Ontario Avenue is a small, French (I know, you never would have guessed!) former home converted to a lovely restaurant that is delightful.

Another option, which I have yet to visit personally, is Alinea. Grant Achatz is a French laundry disciple who is doing some seriously weird shit with food. The place is booked months in advance.

I've also heard very good things about Tru, but have not made it there yet either.

I've also heard very good things about Tru, but have not made it there yet either.

I had an incredible nearly five hour experience there in the capable hands of Chefs Tramonto and Gand, under the direction of Adam when he was general manager. A most memorable evening.....

A couple of my favorites are Vermillion, a Latin/Indian fusion place with a great funky feel. And Coco Pazzo for Italian. I'd give Charlie Trotter's a pass. Our food was fine, but nothing fantastic and the service was rude. I do hear great things about Tru.

really love Aria in the Fairmount Hotel. Been twice this year...don't eat too much bread (hard to do) and take a good appetite. Pacific Rim. A very good deal is Trattoria #10's happy hour 5-8 Mon- Friday. They have a bar buffet....2 drink minimum, I think it's $10 and it's very, very good food and always popular. I think it's the best deal in Chicago. Not long ago, we stayed in the Crowne Plaza by Greektown. The aromas made us crazy! We ended up at Greek Isles, which was fun and yummy....get the flaming cheese appetizer and the show that goes with it! Every restaurant there was intriguing.
A really great place to go if you're on the Mag Mile is downstairs in the Water Tower called foodlife. This is no regular food court. They have all kinds of made to order places...I like the pad thai and the stir fry...all made to order. Great if you don't want a long, formal lunch. They give you a punch card and you can stroll arouind and order whatever. Salads, sandwiches, pasta, pizza, soups, etc also available.
I love the jazz brunch on Sundays at Bistro 110. I made my reservation on opentable from here, lol. Just remember...they can't serve alcohol till noon...so wait if you need a Bloody Mary.

brasserie jo.....order the skate.....I do about 5 times a year

brasserie jo.....order the skate.....I do about 5 times a year

Why is no one in Louisville cooking this kind of food? Isn't there a market for moules gratinee, escargot, salade lyonaisse, skate with beurre blanc, onglet with pommes frites, cassoulet, coq au vin, pommes de terres dauphinois, tarte tartin, etc.?