Chicago Lunch
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Will be in Chicago next week and looking for a couple of good reccomendations for lunch, any ideas?
Looking for good food, price not an object, have been to Bistro 110 which was "ok" but am sure that there must be better places downtown...
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I agree with NoMi- wonderful food and views right on Michigan Ave. I think that Avenues (in the Penninsula) is open for lunch, as is Sixteen (the place in the new Trump Tower). For something more low key, I love The Gage (on Michigan Ave across from Grant Park) or Tavern on the Park (north end of Grant Park).
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re: laurabfriedel
If you like Cajun and/or Creole cooking check out Heaven on Seven. There are are several locations; the Wabash Ave. restaurant is the original and, I think, the best.
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re: gmwine
nsxtasy
Nov 8, 2008 07:30 AM
Hi gmwine,
Just make sure you go to the restaurant you want. Spiaggia and Cafe Spiaggia are two different restaurants, with a shared entrance and with the same ownership (I think they share the same wine cellar; I'm not sure whether they share the kitchen or not). Spiaggia is very expensive and dressy (jackets required for gentlemen) and is one of the finest restaurants in Chicago, whereas Cafe Spiaggia is moderately priced (dinner entrees in the mid twenties, with some lower-priced items like pizzas available at lunchtime) and casual. Spiaggia is not open for lunch, so Cafe Spiaggia is definitely the one you want for lunch. They share the same phone number (312-280-2750) and both website addresses ( www.cafespiaggia.com and www.spiaggiarestaurant.com ) take you to the same website.
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nsxtasy
Nov 5, 2008 12:05 PM
Where, exactly, will you be? "Downtown" comprises quite a large area, from the South Loop to the Mag Mile/Streeterville and the Gold Coast, and from River East through River North and the Loop to the West Loop. Especially during the day for lunch, you probably will want to go somewhere that's close to where you're already located.
And what kind of food or place are you looking for? If you're looking for one of our "top tables", the restaurants run by our finest chefs, only one of those is open for lunch: NoMI, in the Park Hyatt. www.nomirestaurant.com But there are many excellent "casual fine dining" restaurants in the downtown areas to choose from; again, let us know where you're located, and we can provide recommendations nearby.
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re: gmwine
nsxtasy
Nov 7, 2008 06:30 AM
Four nearby places come to mind (and they're all open for lunch on Saturdays). In order by distance from the Water Tower, starting with the closest...
Bistro 110 is a French bistro facing the park across the street from the Water Tower. It's upstairs and is arranged as a series of small rooms, giving it an intimate feel. The food is good - maybe not our very best French bistro, but it's still decent (as the OP mentions). www.levyrestaurants.com
The Signature Room is a great choice on a clear day. It's on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Building, and the view is the big attraction. I haven't been there in a while so I can't vouch for the food, which has had its ups and downs over the years, but I know they offer lighter fare during lunch. www.signatureroom.com
Cafe Spiaggia is perhaps our very best mid-priced Italian restaurant. It's four blocks north of the Water Tower (and just a block north of the 900 building). www.levyrestaurants.com
Hugo's is a long block west of Cafe Spiaggia is a good choice if you specifically want a place that specializes in seafood. During dinner hours it's more boisterous than romantic, but it may be less busy and a bit more subdued during Saturday lunch (I'm just guessing, haven't been there at that hour). www.hugosfrogbar.com
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