Restaurants near Mag. Mile Marriott?

[swulff]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend restaurants near the downtown Marriott this Sunday-Tuesday?

Don't want to bust the bank but I do want something decent. Oh and it'll be just one person so I don't want to feel to out of place.

Thanks.

[profjmm]

Quartino is a good place to eat solo. I have only eaten lunch there and like the pizzas and panini very much. Very reasonable. No one has mentioned Frontera. You can definitely sit at the bar there and the food's excellent. You would also be comfortable at Brasserie Jo.

[bibi rose]

I think Quartino would be a great place to have a solo meal at the bar. We've eaten snacks there while waiting for a table and it's very nice.

[nsxtasy]

A solo diner should feel comfortable *anywhere*. I've eaten solo a lot, and I've never felt out of place.

What kind of food are you looking for? You might want to take a look at these topics, each of which has recommendations:

Fine dining:
www.chowhound.com/topics/368683

Steakhouses:
www.chowhound.com/topics/359377

Seafood:
www.chowhound.com/topics/370202

Italian:
www.chowhound.com/topics/360990

Pizza:
www.chowhound.com/topics/327474
www.chowhound.com/topics/319254

Greek:
www.chowhound.com/topics/119233

Barbecue:
www.chowhound.com/topics/360674

Tapas:
www.chowhound.com/topics/370492
www.chowhound.com/topics/366524

Burgers:
www.chowhound.com/topics/382781

Hot dogs:
www.chowhound.com/topics/364427

Quintessential Chicago:
www.chowhound.com/topics/372986

Brunch and Breakfast:
www.chowhound.com/topics/364403

[swulff]

Thanks for the info. I haven't a clue what I'll be in the mood for. I was hoping for places within walking distance that were good.

[nsxtasy]

Well, there are literally hundreds of places within walking distance that are good. But here are places just within two blocks or so, all of which are good IMHO:

Heaven on Seven (Rush St location) - Cajun - www.heavenonseven.com
Boston Blackie's - Burgers - www.bostonblackies.com
Sayat Nova - Armenian - www.sayatnovachicago.com
David Burke's Primehouse - Steak - www.davidburke.com
Joe's Seafood and Steaks - www.icon.com/joes
Capital Grille - Steak - www.thecapitalgrille.com
Coco Pazzo Cafe - Italian - www.cocopazzocafe.com
Uno's and Due - Pizza - www.unos.com
Tru - Fine Dining - www.trurestaurant.com
Shaw's Crab House - Seafood - www.shawscrabhouse.com

[tzurriz]

I would not recommend Heaven on Seven. It is overpriced, every time I've been there the service has been lacking, and the "Cajun/Creole" food well, isn't.

Sorry, but it always seems like a waste of $$$ to me.

[nsxtasy]

Yup, post ten recommendations, and someone's bound to disagree with at least one of them. :grin:

One other place worth checking out is Fox and Obel. It's an upscale gourmet grocery store (THE such place in the downtown area) and it's just a few blocks east of the Marriott. In addition to groceries, they also have a cafe in the rear where they cook excellent food to order all day long. Very casual, communal tables, newspapers to read, that kind of place - perfect for a solo diner. You'll find the cafe menu on their website at www.fox-obel.com

[tzurriz]

Sorry about disagreeing with you. For some reason, that place just always sets off my warning alarms. :grin:

I liked all of your other recommendations though, oh and Fox and Obel is fantastic! I second that one absolutely!

[tzurriz]

I don't know the name of it (sorry), but at the John Hancock building there is a fantastic Italian grocery/market. Whenever I'm on N. Michigan for lunch, I eat there. It's "downstairs", you'll see a gazillion people lined up for Cheesecake Factory, just walk right past them and smile knowing you are about to have a much better meal, for 1/4 the price, and without any wait.

It is a grocery/deli, so don't expect table service, but do expect some really fantastic food. :)

[NDJ]

It is very good. More of a lunch place (order at the counter). It is called L'Appetito.