Sunday lunch not brunch in Downtown Chicago

[John Talbott]

Hi:
I've been unable to find much here on real lunch menus (rather than brunch) on Sundays in downtown Chicago (we'll be at the Swissotel).
I appreciate any and all suggestions.
Many thanks in advance.

John Talbott
http://johntalbottsparis.typepad.com/

[ms. chow]

Across the river and due north, Cafe Spiaggia or Bistrot Zinc. Cafe Spiaggia has great views of Michigan Avenue (and the Chanel windows). Bistrot Zinc is a good traditional French bistrot. Although seems you live in Paris, so Zinc perhaps might not measure up? Shaw's might also be interesting. Although i've only been to lunch there once.

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Cafe Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Shaw's Crab House
21 East Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60611

[John Talbott]

Thank you; you're correct, the next day we'll be winging back to Paris so the Bistrot may be redundant and we're eating Italian the night before, so Shaw's looks good, even though our other mailing address is Baltimore.

[ms. chow]

Hmmm, that's a pickle. Shaw's crab cake is my #2 favorite in the city. #1 being Crofton on Wells. But none of them can top crab cakes in Rehoboth Beach, even at mid-tier places there.

I thought of Le Colonial, but then, Paris, duh. It is a tough question. Another possibility is The Gage, a very excellent upscale gastropub south of you. They have a brunch menu, but the regular lunch menu is also available.

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The Gage
24 South Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

[jbw]

Ditto on Gage. It would seem to be the best alternative for a Sunday lunch, altho the hamburger at the Park Grill in Millenniumk Park (the inside, not the outside restaurant!) can be quite good. (Avoid Bistro Zinc. Not only can Paris do a lot better, Chicago does, too.)