664349 Tue Nov 03 08:35:57 -0800 2009 3 7 Chicago Area 0 5151910 I'm looking for a place to have dinner within walking distance of the River Hotel on Saturday night for four. Roughly $50 a head without liquor, has to have non-fish options on the menu, excellent food, interesting flavors, and entrees, not just small plates. So far my short list is: Frontera/Topo Vermilion Sayat Nova Avec/Blackbird and Mercat a la Planxa - are they too far to walk to? We're all relatively in shape people - I walked from the Fairmont to Gino's East last week, but I don't want it to be a schlep. Are those my best options or should I look elsewhere? I dislike Gino's East; prefer Due. Like Hugo's; loathe Shaw's, just to give you an idea of my tastes. Thanks in advance. Tue Nov 03 08:35:57 -0800 2009 15217 gini 1 5156881 Well, you're close to Bin 36 and Harry Carey's. Frontera takes some finesse to get a reservation (call at 8 a.m. on the day you want to go). The places you want to go (Blackbird) are walking distance, but a pretty long walk. One place that has some pretty good reviews is Shikago. It's easy walking distance. I haven't been there, so I am only going by reviews. http://www.insiderpages.com/b/15245790935 Wed Nov 04 18:41:28 -0800 2009 5151910 104864 Pete Oldtown 2 5166691 Thanks for your response. I've been to Harry Carey's - not really my scene. I like the looks of Bin 36, but I think I'd really like to get to Avec next time I'm in town. There's just never enough time! Mon Nov 09 06:49:57 -0800 2009 5156881 15217 gini 1 5166723 We ended up walking down to Mercat a la Planxa for a 9pm dinner reservation Saturday night. The restaurant and I started off on bad footing. Firstly, we did not sit down until 9:30pm. Having seen the dining room, this was certainly due to tables just not flipping rather than some mid-market-let's-pretend-fashionably-late-is-actually-fashionable bourgeois snobbery. Additionally, why is there practically nowhere to wait? If you're going to have seating issues like that, make somewhere for us to sit for 30 endless minutes. Secondly, due to the hard surfaces and general noise level, the bass music was pumping so loud I actually started to get a headache. The tables seemed so far apart that conversation was practically impossible. However, after the music was turned down and the food started to arrive, I began to enjoy myself immensely. The bread to start was evidently quite good. Unfortunately, tomatoes make me sneeze, so I couldn't take part. Then started a round of rather good, though not extraordinary starters: mixed olives, a plate of 3 cheeses, each with an interesting accoutrement, but really, who can say no to nutella? Pimientos de padron were quite tasty, and much less slimy than other versions I've had. Meanwhile, catalan sausage & beef meatballs were rich and a little spicy. A flatbread of shortribs, horseradish, parmesan & bacon was pure comfort food. The Arroz Con Morels was earthy, though dripping in truffle oil, but as one of my DCs pointed out - can that ever really be a bad thing? Butternut squash dumplings were the star of the night. In fact, our waitress, thinking we had never received it, accidentally brought us another. Serendipitous for sure - the vinegary beech mushrooms cut through the lamb ragout expertly. Ubiquitous patatas bravas were even rethought here - instead of quarters, these cylinders were buttery and soft inside. Muscovy duck breast with duck confit & foie gras crêpe was good, but not outstanding, the actual crepe itself being a little too chewy. A serrano wrapped tuna was salty and delicious as well. We finished the evening with chocolate croquettes, banana marshmallow and rosemary olive oil - incredible. I am so happy I stuck it out afterall, the dinner could not have been more delicious nor the staff more accommodating and attentive. Thanks for a lovely trip, Chicago! Mon Nov 09 07:08:51 -0800 2009 5151910 15217 gini