Moto, Tru, Blackbird, MK?

[Niki1373]

Trying to make at least one reservation in Chicago this weekend - tried to make reservations at Alinea a few weeks ago but no such luck. So, in the alternative, looking for great food and dining experience, not too pretentious, cool crowd. These 4 restos seem to be highlighted in various posts and in guide books. I'm leaning towards Moto because of the unique experimental experience but note its not the cheapest!

[chicgail]

I would skip Moto. It's not even close to Alinea in the world of molecular gastronomy and if you're going to spend that much, I would go for something much more notable. The top choices in that price category for me would be Tru, Everest (although I had disappointingly bad service there recently, the food and the space are exquisite), Spiaggia and maybe L20, although I haven't been there and have heard mixed reviews. Now all of those might for you be in the world of "too pretentious" so take heed.

Other really good options I recommend would include Rick Bayliss' Frontera Grill (too late to get reservations at sister restaurant Topolobampo, although Frontera takes very few reservations and you will almost certainly have to wait unless you get there by 5:30), Naha, Spiaggia Cafe (same web site, same kitchen and lower prices). I like Blackbird, but I just checked opentable.com and they only have openings at 10 pm. MK is good also, but I didn't see it listed for openings on Saturday night. I also love North Pond, but I didn't see that listed for Saturday night either, which makes sense because you can probably see the fireworks from there.

Given that this weekend is the Fourth of July, you might be able to get reservations at some places because a lot of people will be watching the fireworks on Saturday, rather than out dining.

Good luck.

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Alinea
1723 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60614

Moto Restaurant
945 W Fulton, Chicago, IL 60607

Frontera Grill
445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

North Pond
2610 North Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614

Topolobampo
445 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Naha
500 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

[nsxtasy]

You don't mention whether this is for Friday night or Saturday night, but I'll assume the latter. Here are the top places I would recommend in the greater downtown area that show availability in Opentable.com for a party of 2 at some point between 6:30 and 8:30 pm this Saturday night: Brasserie Jo (French bistro), Cafe des Architectes (contemporary American), Cafe Spiaggia (Italian), Carnivale (Latin fusion), Coco Pazzo (Italian), David Burke's Primehouse (steakhouse), Everest (French-Alsatian fine dining), Graham Elliot (contemporary American), Kiki's Bistro (French bistro), Mercat a la Planxa (tapas), Naha (contemporary American), NoMI (contemporary American fine dining), Opera (pan-Asian), Red Light (pan-Asian), Salpicon (Mexican), Shanghai Terrace (upscale Chinese), Shaw's Crab House (seafood), and Vivere (Italian). chicgail mentioned TRU and L2O for fine dining, but neither has openings unless you're willing to dine very early or very late. Spiaggia and Moto don't have any openings, either.

>> I also love North Pond, but I didn't see that listed for Saturday night either, which makes sense because you can probably see the fireworks from there.

You won't be able to see the fireworks from North Pond. (The downtown fireworks are at Navy Pier and the north side fireworks are between Foster and Montrose. You'll need to be on the lakefront within a mile - preferably less - to see them.)

[Niki1373]

Thanks for all of the helpful replies. So when exactly are the fireworks? On Sat night? We ended up getting a reservation at Tru at 9:15 on Sat night. We are actually flying in Thursday morning so also have Thursday night as an option. Friday we are taking in an afternoon Cubs game and so will probably be stuffed with crap and will likely do dinner in that hood. I hear Mia Frencesca's is good?

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Nia
805 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607

[chicgail]

The fireworks are right after dark on Saturday, probably starting 9:15 or so. That means you'll be at Tru during that time. You'll almost certainly hear them, but not see them. But you can expect a very good dinner.

There is a (not very good) tapas restaurant in the West Loop called Nia and a Mia Francesca that is part of a very respectable chain of Italian restaurants around the city and suburbs. I am assuming you mean the latter.

There is a MIa Francesca in Lakeview which is not terribly far from Wrigley Field. You can make reservations on opentable.com. You may want to find a way to freshen up after the Cubs game and before dinner there, however.

If you go back to where you are staying (which I assume is Michigan Avenue/Magnificant Mile area) you might want to consider one of these Italian restaurants:
Cafe Spiaggia (distinct from Spiaggia -- same location, same kitchen, same website, very different prices)
Piccolo Sogno
Coco Pazzo
Coco Pazzo Cafe

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Cafe Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Coco Pazzo Cafe
636 N St Clair, Chicago, IL 60611

Mia Francesca
3311 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60657

Nia
805 W. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60607

Piccolo Sogno
464 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60622

Spiaggia
980 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

[lbs]

The fireworks are on the 4th this year. Not the 3rd.

[nsxtasy]

That's right. (Good catch!) Sunday the 4th this year. Unlike previous years, when they were on the 3rd.

[chicgail]

Cool. I didn't know that. Perfect.

[Niki1373]

That's too bad! We'll be leaving Sunday :o( I'm just sorry I didn't try to book Alinea sooner since we've know about this trip for a few months now and everyone has great things to say about it!

[nsxtasy]

There aren't many restaurants that would make a cross-country trip for just one meal worthwhile, but if any place is worth it, it's Alinea.

[ellenost]

I just had a great dinner at Tru (I also couldn't get a resy at Alinea since I didn't have enough advance time to call for the reservation). I posted my reivew on another thread. My sister had a lunch at Blackbird, and was less than thrilled with it.