118057 Thu Jun 30 12:11:20 -0700 2005 9 7 Chicago Area 0 644584 I'm a Mississippi Chowhound going to your windy city in September for two nights only........I dined at Charlie Trotters and Everest about 10 years ago......would you suggest another trip to these two great restaurants...........I have no objections..... Also can you recommend a hotel that might have a great restaurant or two as we might dine in there one night of the two we will be in Chicago........ Looking for fine dining and a great hotel........$$$$$$$$$$ is no problem...........business trip............ Thanks. Thu Jun 30 12:11:20 -0700 2005 0 Ike! 1 644585 My recommendation would be to stay at the Peninsula and have one of your dinners at its high-end restaurant, Avenues. A link to a good post about it is below. For your other meal, perhaps try getting reservations at Alinea. At least, if I had no budget and two nights in Chicago, that's what I would do. Link: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2983 Thu Jun 30 12:30:41 -0700 2005 644584 0 Ed Fisher 1 644586 In Forest Park itself, I most enjoy eating at Goldyburgers – hands down my choice for the best hamburgers and grilled chicken breast sandwiches in all of Chicagoland. Although I haven’t been there in a couple of years, I always liked Golden Steer Steak House – the food was excellent and the price right. In adjacent Oak Park, there are some additional choices – my first choice is Robinson’s Ribs. In close by Elmwood Park, there are even more possibilities. Armand’s serves up the best pizza in Chicagoland, for my taste buds, and the rest of the Italian-for-Italians menu isn’t bad, either. You get good food here for a very fair price. Jim & Pete’s on North Ave. is an often overlooked choice for Italian food, and I find it one of the area’s best. The New Star Chinese Restaurant is my favorite, outside of Chinatown. Claudio Bakery is where to go for fresh canole and other Italian pastry specialties. And last, but not least . . . if you like BBQ ribs, pulled pork, beef sandwiches, etc., don’t miss Russell’s . . . it’s a Chicagoland favorite for generations. The Forest Park-area is one of the best hunting grounds for chowhounds! Goldyburgers 7316 Circle Ave Forest Park, IL 60130-1165 (708) 366-0750 Golden Steer 7635 Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130 ROBINSONS BARBECUE RESTAURANT 940 MADISON ST OAK PARK, IL 60302-4430 Armand's Restaurant & Lounge 7400 W Grand Ave Elmwood Park, IL 60707 Claudio Pastry Co 7308 W North Ave. Elmwood Park, IL 60707 Jim & Pete's Restaurant 7806 W North Ave. Elmwood Park, IL 60707 New Star Chinese Restaurant 7444 W North Ave. Elmwood Park, IL 60707 Russell's Barbeque 1621 N Thatcher Ave. Elmwood Park, IL 60707 Thu Jun 30 12:59:46 -0700 2005 644584 0 Bill 2 644599 I've heard a rumor that Russell's is closing. Any truth to this? Thu Jun 30 19:33:04 -0700 2005 644586 0 twodales 3 644678 I asked the Metromix Dining editor at the Chicago Tribune via e-mail whether there was an announcement regarding sale or closure of the Elmwood Park Russell's. His reply: he spoke to the owner, and there is NO TRUTH to the rumor of sale or closure. Thank goodness! Whatever you think of the BBQ sauce (I prefer mine on the fries only), the full slab for $12.50 is still one of the great bargains left in the Chicago environs, and the beef and pork sandwiches are also real values. This is a great family restaurant, and deserves credit for retaining value over the years. Wed Jul 06 14:46:13 -0700 2005 644599 0 Ron Fleischer 4 644688 Glad to hear it Ron. I thought yet another Chicago tradition was going down the tubes. Thu Jul 07 01:06:18 -0700 2005 644678 0 twodales 1 644592 Skip Everest. They have become astonishingly slothful and the food will bore you. The service is rather lame unless you happen to be a regular. The high point, however, is the sommalier. Her suggestions are dead on and absolutely delicious. Thu Jun 30 15:32:52 -0700 2005 644584 0 mirror 1 644595 Since $$ are no object, you might want to try Tru, which is often mentioned in the same breath as Trotter's as the top upscale/prixfixe restaurant in Chicago, altho Alinea, which just opened, is currently attracting the most attention. Also, if you want to try the absolute tops in Italian cuisine, Spiaggia would be a great choice. Tru and Spiaggia are in walking distance of the Magic Mile, and Alinea is a short cab ride away, if you can get a reservation. Thu Jun 30 17:46:03 -0700 2005 644584 0 jbw 1 644602 I agree with the Avenues recommendation at the Peninsula. But my highest recommendation would be Alinea. And if you decide you don't want 2 consecutive nights of "long" meals, a few other suggestions I have are Blackbird, North Pond and Spring. They all offer outstanding and more creative food, but in a slightly more casual setting than Alinea, Avenues or the like. Spring is particularly skilled with seafood. Thu Jun 30 23:41:29 -0700 2005 644584 0 BR 1 644613 Thanks folks........looks like Charlie Trotter's again and then Alinea, Avenue or Tru..........thanks for the help........... Fri Jul 01 13:07:32 -0700 2005 644584 0 Ike!