664354 Tue Nov 03 08:53:20 -0800 2009 10 7 Chicago Area 0 5151954 I'll be in Chicago for two days. I need recommendations for the best meal I can have with money not being being relevant. Also looking for some good food that only the locals know about. Thanks! Tue Nov 03 08:53:20 -0800 2009 1109509 rikitikitembo 1 5152437 If you are going to be here in 2 days it's not the money issue that will prevent you from getting the best meal in Chicago it will be the ability to get a reservation. There will be much debate on the best restaurant (which would also depend on your preferences) but many of the names that come up will be Alinea, Charlie Trotter's, Everest, Tru, L20 among others. What style or type of restaurant are you looking for? Tue Nov 03 11:06:01 -0800 2009 5151954 91258 forzagto 2 5152590 I'd rate those as: Alinea Tru Everest Trotter L20 I'd also add Topolobampo right up at the top of that list, but it's extremely difficult to get reservations since Rick Bayless won TCM. If I had to choose just one, I, too would pick Alinea. Good food only locals know about might include Schwa (reservations ridiculously difficult, but essential), and Bonsoiree on the upscale. Ethically, there's Sticky Rice, TAC and Spoon Thai for authentic Thai; Mexique, Mixteco Grill, Fonda del Mar or in the Pilsen neighborhood: Nuevo Leon and Mundial Cocina Mestiza. On the far north side of the city are Vietnamese and Indian neighborhoods with inexpensive, well-regarded restaurants. Tue Nov 03 11:51:51 -0800 2009 5152437 24468 chicgail 1 5152491 If forced to choose only one, Alinea would be it. Tue Nov 03 11:23:18 -0800 2009 5151954 204151 hcbk0702 1 5153001 Spiaggia. not the cafe. Tru Everest Tue Nov 03 13:49:21 -0800 2009 5151954 52499 ChefJune 1 5153471 Los Nopales on Western Ave. for a fantastic meal with a married couple of owners/chefs who make great quality food part of a wonderful experience. Not fancy or expensive, but for me...the best meal. BYOB Tue Nov 03 16:15:21 -0800 2009 5151954 1092732 Alan N 1 5154424 L2O, L2O!! Read Frank Bruni's review of the place and tell me you're not sold: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/dining/06note.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=L2O&st=cse Alinea is extraordinary, but it is as much "theatre" as it is "fine dining". While I look back in awe on my meal there, most of what I remember has less to do with the food and much more with the presentation. In fact, there were too many dishes where I had to ask myself: if this weren't coming from Achatz, and we weren't told that Achatz is -- by definition -- a genius, would I really think that banana, foam, and salmon roe sounds like a good combination?? The service and aesthetics will blow your mind, but If I were free from fiscal constraints and guided by my taste buds and a quest for elegance, L2O would be the top choice. As for "locals only" food, how about Xoco?? Kidding! Though not holes-in-the-wall in the purest form, some of our best restaurants are in neighborhoods that are off-the-beaten tourist path. Lula Cafe, in Logan Square, is an amazing, inventive farm-to-table gem; Urban Belly, Bill(?) Kim's noodle-and-dumpling counter-service BYOB tucked into a strip mall next to a laundromat is absurdly delicious; and there are at least a half-dozen spots in Pilsen that lay claim to the best tacos al pastor north of the border, but I'll let other Chowhounders point you in the exact right direction. Good luck and enjoy. Wed Nov 04 05:32:30 -0800 2009 5151954 165172 Kaelin 2 5154675 Anybody know anything about this place called graham elliot, seems like the food could be interesting? also good pizza as well be it deep dish or thin crust? Thanks Wed Nov 04 07:17:34 -0800 2009 5154424 1109509 rikitikitembo 3 5154857 Graham Elliot is interesting, and worth a visit, but I wouldn't categorize it as one of the best meals in Chicago. It is not in a class with Alinea, Tru, Trotter, Everest. Wed Nov 04 08:11:57 -0800 2009 5154675 24468 chicgail 4 5155194 Been to Graham Elliot twice. The first time it was great and the second it was just good and the staff was just a touch full of itself. I'd go back. That said, agreed, it is not in the Alinea, L2O, Tru, Trotters, Everest league. Wed Nov 04 09:37:06 -0800 2009 5154857 211317 HoosierFoodie 3 5156168 For thin crust: Piece, Crust, Spacca Napoli (my personal favorite, in Lincoln Square), and Great Lakes all get lots of play on the boards For deep dish: I love Gino's East (the whole sausage patty across the entire pie, that thick, chewy cornmeal crust and sweet/spicy tomato sauce, yum . . . ), but there are plenty of other Chowhound posts that play host to Pizza Wars 2009. Everyone has a favorite spot; they tend to shake-out between Lou Malnati's, Giordano's, the original Uno's and Due's, Pizano's, and Gino's East. Regardless of where you go, call in advance and they can start your pie cooking so that you don't have to wait a full ~45 minutes after you order. Wed Nov 04 14:13:24 -0800 2009 5154675 165172 Kaelin