661773 Fri Oct 23 12:27:56 -0700 2009 6 7 Chicago Area 0 5125792 Hi there, I have a conference November 8-10, and want to make the most of my free meal time while there-looking for recommendations. Thanks for your help! Nothing super high end/fancy-just tasty eclectic/ethnic good stuff... Fri Oct 23 12:27:56 -0700 2009 211761 sgj 1 5125899 http://sayatnovachicago.com/ Fri Oct 23 13:07:58 -0700 2009 5125792 111530 gordeaux 1 5136232 lunch, I would recommend L'Appetito, a small italian deli featuring imported gourmet food and fresh lunch items. Grilled paninis, sandwiches, salad are all good! Coffee is nice and reasonably priced. Dessert and Gelato are good too. Just go down the stairs in front of John Hancock and u will find it next to Jumba Juice(which is also a lunch option). Potbelly is in bloomingdale. There is also a Thai buffet under $10. I also like the food court in Water Tower. That is the only food court I've visited where u pay service charge. But so many options! Dinner: Cheesecake factory is nice, typical American restaurant, big portion requires big appetite.I always just have a salad if I have dinner plan in Cheesecake Factory. The restaurant on the first floor of Westin is decent. My mom loves the scallops there! Lamb chop is also good. BIstro 110 on Chestnut(?)--next to Ghirardelli has pretty good french food. My favorite is their fresh artichokes with whole grain mustard sauce. Tue Oct 27 19:48:36 -0700 2009 5125792 1119748 Dingding 2 5145876 Thanks for the help. Any other suggestions, how about a sushi joint, any tapas style places, small atmospheric, not really looking for Cheesecake Factory kind of places... Sat Oct 31 17:46:45 -0700 2009 5136232 211761 sgj 3 5146162 It's been hinted that I work for the place, but you are easy walking distance from Cafe Iberico for tapas. It's cheap and fun. If you're going there on Fri. or Sat., get there early. There can be two-hour waits at 8. David Burke's Prime House and Quartino are nearby. The first is pretty cool take on a steakhouse. If you want a huge steak, fine. If you want a small one for a lot less money, fine. If you just want a great burger for $10, fine. Their Sunday brunch has about 20 small courses for 40 bucks. I've been to Cafe Iberico about 100 times. I've had a wedding reception there and taken a large group of clients there. It's just a great place. Just ignore the fish. They don't do it well. If the specials include oysters or ink squid pasta, go for it hard. Since you are not a fan of big portions, I think Iberico is perfect. Order a couple of dishes, then order a couple more. The average price is about $8. Sat Oct 31 22:02:56 -0700 2009 5145876 104864 Pete Oldtown 4 5150632 Thanks, I appreciate the suggestion of Cafe Iberico, I think that and Sayat Nova will be 2 of my choices, and I will check out L'appetito for lunch. Mon Nov 02 17:08:03 -0800 2009 5146162 211761 sgj 5 5156836 Let us know what you thought! Wed Nov 04 18:21:56 -0800 2009 5150632 104864 Pete Oldtown