Looking for suggestions on baby-friendly restaurants near the James Hotel in Chicago (also what to do, and where to breastfeed)

[jerryann]

My husband and I are going to be traveling for the first time with our baby (he'll be 3 months) to Chicago the last week of May. We're staying at the James Hotel (near N. Michigan Ave and East Ontario St.) and are looking for restaurants (for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and/or dinner) either nearby to the hotel or close to places we should visit as tourists.

Budget is pretty tight (don't really want to go over $25 for an entree), but I also figure restaurants that have $25 and up entrees aren't going to be baby friendly anyway! We're very open with different types of food, love trying new cuisines, so anything goes for us! We just love good food, especially in restaurants with good value!

It's our first time in Chicago, so if you have ideas what are places to see/things to do/places to shop that are also stroller-friendly in addition to restaurants, we would love to hear them! We'll have a car too, so can drive too, of necessary, and if there are multiple things to do/see/eat in the same area).

Also, for all the parents out there, if you know of places where I can breastfeed discretely, I would love to hear those too!

Thanks!

[Querencia]

Let me add a breakfast suggestion---Eggsperience is also just around the corner from the James, at Ontario & Dearborn.

[jerryann]

Thanks so much! These suggestions are great! And thanks for tip re: driving vs. taking the taxi and walking! I'm looking forward to trying these out!

[elc515]

There are lots of good restaurants within walking distance of the hotel that aren't too expensive, but will be baby friendly (especially when dining early), but also give you a good dining experience. Here is a list of my favorites (I live a few blocks away): Quartino, Bar Toma, Bistronomique, La Madia, Tempo (breakfast), Sable.

Shopping: if you want to get away from Michigan Ave, I would take a short drive to Lincoln Park and walk around the shops on both Halsted street and Armitage Ave. You can easily find strett parking. Cute little shops and very stroller friendly

Discreet breastfeeding can be hard, I know. The lounge in the women's bathroom at Nordstroms is a nice place for this on Michigan Ave. They have comfortable couches and chairs and you can at least get a little bit of privacy.

Hope you have a great trip!

[jerryann]

Thanks so much!! We're actually flying out in 30 mins, so this is great! I really appreciate you telling me about nordstrom's and the shopping tip!!

[Querencia]

Your hotel is almost within touching distance of several places that might offer you convenience because they're so close, what with the baby and all. One is Heaven on Seven, an informal Cajun restaurant---go up the escalator at the corner of Ohio and Rush. Another is Big Bowl, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant (= reliability) that offers excellent Pan-Asian cuisine at modest prices, and it's right around the corner on Ohio. A third is Lawry's, expensive at dinner but offers some lunch specials, Ontario and Rush. All of these have websites with more detail and all are within a block of the James. Finally, you will be across the street from Trader Joe's in case you want to pick up a snack, fruit or something. The James has a great location. And forget the car. In the heart of downtown that's not the most convenient way to get around as, for one thing, parking costs the earth everywhere. Bring your stroller or take a taxi.

[chicgail]

Very recent similar thread:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/847424

[jerryann]

Thanks, I saw this, but I noticed the suggestions there were really only pizza places (which I put on my list already) and kosher places, which I don't require. I was wondering if there were any other restaurants people would recommend.