Weekend in Chicago for Thirtysomethings

[bakingqueen]

I will be traveling with a group of 5 ladies (including me) to Chicago for marathon weekend (two of us will be running). We're staying at the Monaco on N. Wabash and will be there from Saturday, Oct. 9 through late afternoon on Monday, Oct. 11. I've been looking through the posts and the same places keep appearing again and again, but I think many of them may be too high end for what we'll be looking for. We appreciate good food, but we're not necessarily looking for formal or expensive food -- most of the group will probably be comfortable paying between $30 and $40 per person for dinner (possibly more if we have to) -- we're all in our 30s and would like places with a fun atmosphere. I'm looking for suggestions for: lunch on Saturday (will likely be near the hotel or McCormick Place), dinner on Saturday (would prefer near the hotel and somewhere that would be good for a pre-marathon dinner, doesn't have to be pasta though), dinner on Sunday (this can be anywhere, but we may be in the Navy Pier area that evening and this can be a little more upscale) and brunch on Monday (we may be in the Hyde Park area that day). I hope this is enough info to go on!

[mrsdebdav]

I've stayed at that hotel and loved it.
I've eaten at the Emerald Loop right by the hotel: I think it fits the description of what you're looking for.
http://www.vaughanhospitality.com/ind...

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Emerald Loop
35 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601

[chicgail]

C-House and Davd Burke's are indeed close to Navy Pier, but not at all close to bakingqueen's price point, unless you try them at lunch.

Coco Pazza Cafe is a great idea altho it'll be hard to get a reservation at PP). I don't know Hub 51 at all.

These are all good options in the general area you're in:
Bandero on Michigan Avenue
Quartino's on North State
Iberico for tapas on LaSalle St.

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Quartino
626 N. State Street, Chicago, IL 60654

Iberico Cafe & Bar
737 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

[ChiTown_NOLA_SF]

Hard areas--McCormick is isolated by the park and Navy Pier and streeterville is not my favorite place to eat (I live in the condo by Navy Pier and would love some great restaurants)

In the 12 blocks around Navy Pier
C-house Marcus Samuleson's restaurant in the Affinia Hotel is wonderful
David Burke's in the James Hotel has wonderful steaks
Coco pazzo cafe is truly my favorite streeterville restaurant
Purple Pig is a fantastic wine bar and restaurant on Michigan Ave
Hub 51 is fantastic for great Mexican food and brunch

If you go to the west loop
Veerasway has the freshest take on Indian food not greasy and extremely light and bright flavors
Blackbird is the bomb for great food
I have heard great things about the Gage

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Veerasway
844 W Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60607