Chicago Restaurant Thread

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#601 Post by **Siun o'Connell** » June 5th, 2019, 10:41 am

My daughter was a line cook for Chef Thai and will be so glad to see this. He was a tremendous mentor to her.

Milton Hudson · #602 Post by **Milton Hudson** » June 12th, 2019, 2:11 pm

Will be in Chicago starting Saturday. Looking for maybe something Italian or Asian for Sunday night. Also daughter wants a deep dish pizza. Maybe a lunch place. We’re staying 333 north Dearborn so something in that neighborhood within a couple of miles

#603 Post by **Keith A k e r s** » June 12th, 2019, 7:44 pm

For Deep Dish, be sure to go to Pequod’s (though tbh, Pizzeria Bebu is just flat out great pizza and in the same-ish neighborhood.

For Italian or Asian, what are you wanting? Where you’re staying is right in the tourist area, so if you want something more representative of Chicago, you’ll have to expand your search

Milton Hudson · #604 Post by **Milton Hudson** » June 12th, 2019, 8:01 pm

Keith A k e r s wrote: ↑
June 12th, 2019, 7:44 pm
For Deep Dish, be sure to go to Pequod’s (though tbh, Pizzeria Bebu is just flat out great pizza and in the same-ish neighborhood.

For Italian or Asian, what are you wanting? Where you’re staying is right in the tourist area, so if you want something more representative of Chicago, you’ll have to expand your search

We have zero Italian here. The Vietnamese is good as is the Thai in general. Chinese would be welcome as the Chinese is dreck here. Chines is usually open on Sunday so that is why I mentioned. Don’t mind going farther afield if necessary.

Corey N. · #605 Post by **Corey N.** » June 13th, 2019, 9:20 am

Has anyone gone to Stone Flower and/or planning on it? It looks AMAZING but this is the former chef at 42 grams that was convicted of hitting his ex-wife. My initial instinct would be to stay away, no matter how good the food is. OTOH, it sounds like he has gone out of his way to make amends by raising money for charities that deal with domestic violence and I believe that people deserve second chances.

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/5/16/185 ... ktown-open

#606 Post by **George Hejna** » June 14th, 2019, 7:09 am

Yeah he hit her in the head with a bottle. Hard enough to require staples according to the police report. Plenty of other restaurants in Chicago to give my money too. It will not be this one.

George

Doug Sher · #607 Post by **Doug Sher** » June 14th, 2019, 3:55 pm

Corey N. wrote: ↑
June 13th, 2019, 9:20 am
Has anyone gone to Stone Flower and/or planning on it? It looks AMAZING but this is the former chef at 42 grams that was convicted of hitting his ex-wife. My initial instinct would be to stay away, no matter how good the food is. OTOH, it sounds like he has gone out of his way to make amends by raising money for charities that deal with domestic violence and I believe that people deserve second chances.

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/5/16/185 ... ktown-open

Corey,

For your next splash out meal, I strongly recommend Kyoten at 2507 W. Armitage. 8 seat omakase only menu for $220 including tax and tip. Corkage is $40 a bottle. By far and away the best sushi experience I've had in Chicago and, while not cheap, I thought it was a very good value.

How some guy opens up a restaurant on Damen with prices higher than any place else in the city is beyond my (admittedly somewhat limited ) ability to comprehend.

Corey N. · #608 Post by **Corey N.** » June 14th, 2019, 4:22 pm

Doug Sher wrote: ↑
June 14th, 2019, 3:55 pm
Corey,

For your next splash out meal, I strongly recommend Kyoten at 2507 W. Armitage. 8 seat omakase only menu for $220 including tax and tip. Corkage is $40 a bottle. By far and away the best sushi experience I've had in Chicago and, while not cheap, I thought it was a very good value.

How some guy opens up a restaurant on Damen with prices higher than any place else in the city is beyond my (admittedly somewhat limited ) ability to comprehend.

I'm not trying to justify the cost, but 42 Grams had 2 Michelin stars. I assume chef is banking on that + exclusivity (12 seats).

#609 Post by **David K o l i n** » June 14th, 2019, 5:13 pm

Corey N. wrote: ↑
June 13th, 2019, 9:20 am
Has anyone gone to Stone Flower and/or planning on it? It looks AMAZING but this is the former chef at 42 grams that was convicted of hitting his ex-wife. My initial instinct would be to stay away, no matter how good the food is. OTOH, it sounds like he has gone out of his way to make amends by raising money for charities that deal with domestic violence and I believe that people deserve second chances.

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/5/16/185 ... ktown-open

I’m a hard pass on that. But give me a call when Mario Batali opens his next joint

Corey N. · #610 Post by **Corey N.** » June 14th, 2019, 6:40 pm

I don’t see going either, though I admit that I live a good redemption story.

#611 Post by **Nick Gangas** » June 16th, 2019, 8:18 am

I don't know man. So many good restaurants in the city. Plus I just read your link to the eater article. Pretty disturbing tone. $2,000 donation from a fundraiser ? Seems contrived.

#612 Post by **Keith A k e r s** » June 16th, 2019, 10:46 am

Nick Gangas wrote: ↑
June 16th, 2019, 8:18 am
I don't know man. So many good restaurants in the city. Plus I just read your link to the eater article. Pretty disturbing tone. $2,000 donation from a fundraiser ? Seems contrived.

His ex-wife’s version of the events and since then should dispel any notion that he’s made amends or is a better person now. It was also very noticeable that many restaurants banded together the day Stone Flower opened to use that evening’s proceeds for domestic violence charities.

Matt Fleming · #613 Post by **Matt Fleming** » June 16th, 2019, 10:58 am

Um, yeah, f him.

#614 Post by **Keith A k e r s** » June 17th, 2019, 11:28 am

Milton Hudson wrote: ↑
June 12th, 2019, 8:01 pm

Keith A k e r s wrote: ↑
June 12th, 2019, 7:44 pm
For Deep Dish, be sure to go to Pequod’s (though tbh, Pizzeria Bebu is just flat out great pizza and in the same-ish neighborhood.

For Italian or Asian, what are you wanting? Where you’re staying is right in the tourist area, so if you want something more representative of Chicago, you’ll have to expand your search

We have zero Italian here. The Vietnamese is good as is the Thai in general. Chinese would be welcome as the Chinese is dreck here. Chines is usually open on Sunday so that is why I mentioned. Don’t mind going farther afield if necessary.

Sorry, I was out of town and wanted to get back to this.

For Italian, you’ll clearly have a lot of options. So, it kinda depends on what you want. For great pasta, absolutely go to Monteverde. If you want something really good and somewhat old school, Piccolo Sogno is great. Since you’re downtown, RPM Italian or Spiaggia will be higher end and actually good (please done do Quartino). There are a lot of other places you can go as well, but any of those will give you a great experience.

For Chinese, somewhere like Jade Court/MingHin/Dolo will all be great and are in Chinatown. I’ll let others chime in on that as there are others that are more versed in the Chinese dining around town.

Hope that helps and hopefully you have a great time in Chicago!

#615 Post by **WvanGorp** » June 18th, 2019, 9:49 am

I like Chengdu Impression for Chinese in Chicago. MingHin also.

#616 Post by **Nick Gangas** » June 20th, 2019, 11:58 am

Going to Cira tomorrow. Any feedback ?

#617 Post by **Nick Gangas** » June 22nd, 2019, 11:34 am

Went to Cira last night with some friends before the stones concert. They were extremely gracious and provided excellent and friendly service. Food was great too. Highly recommend.

#618 Post by **David K o l i n** » June 22nd, 2019, 11:57 am

Sorry too late, but Riccardo’s trattoria in Lincoln Park is quite good.

#619 Post by **Keith A k e r s** » June 24th, 2019, 10:06 am

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/6/24/187 ... restaurant

Looks like Duffy is about to be back in a big way

Matt Fleming · #620 Post by **Matt Fleming** » June 28th, 2019, 12:14 pm

Keith A k e r s wrote: ↑
June 24th, 2019, 10:06 am
https://chicago.eater.com/2019/6/24/187 ... restaurant

Looks like Duffy is about to be back in a big way

combining twee with decadence.

#621 Post by **AndyK** » July 14th, 2019, 7:27 am

We are in Chicago tonight and have unexpectedly time for dinner... Any recommendations on a non pretentious place with decent food and a good, well priced wine list that doesn’t require a reservation?

#622 Post by **David K o l i n** » July 14th, 2019, 2:03 pm

Where are you, Andy?

#623 Post by **AndyK** » July 14th, 2019, 2:23 pm

Sorry, we’re pretty much downtown, but it’s kinda late now...

#624 Post by **David K o l i n** » July 14th, 2019, 2:29 pm

Might be worth checking in at Avec, if Mediterranean suits you. They have openings early and late, and even one at 7:30 not too much earlier today.

awilliamson4 · #625 Post by **awilliamson4** » July 22nd, 2019, 11:52 am

Galit in Lincoln Park is fantastic. Top notch all the way across the board...Zach Engel is pushing hard there right now....be prepared to see it get some serious recognition.

Michael Klein · #626 Post by **Michael Klein** » July 31st, 2019, 1:57 pm

meant to post this earlier this week - but it looks like Jade Court is closed indefinitely after the owner passed away. Sad. Great spot and I hope it finds a way to re-open.

Matt Fleming · #627 Post by **Matt Fleming** » August 2nd, 2019, 12:07 am

Michael Klein wrote: ↑
July 31st, 2019, 1:57 pm
meant to post this earlier this week - but it looks like Jade Court is closed indefinitely after the owner passed away. Sad. Great spot and I hope it finds a way to re-open.

wow, sad news. rest in peace.

#628 Post by **George Hejna** » August 5th, 2019, 4:56 pm

Hit up some restaurants this past weekend which were new to me.
Mako - Omakase only Sushi. Really good. Beautiful room, nice Sake list, wine list is a little small but serviceable. Menu was very nigiri heavy. Hand roll with tuna and uni was outstanding. Excellent service. A bit expensive at $175 pp.
Rooh - Billed as progressive Indian. Not sure what that means but food was stuck somewhere in-between that and traditional. Beverage program was not good. Cocktails - meh. Wine list tiny. I got an upcharge of $4 for ordering a martini "up" The food was enjoyable had some excellent tikki. The lamb shank was uninspired. Excellent Nan. The service was pushy. They kept telling us we didn't order enough (they wanted the entire order at once). We had more food than we could eat. Would not go back unless some changes or improvements were made.
Best meal of the weekend was on the ultra exclusive "terrace restaurant" of some good friends.

George

#629 Post by **David K o l i n** » August 5th, 2019, 6:34 pm

George Hejna wrote: ↑
August 5th, 2019, 4:56 pm

Best meal of the weekend was on the ultra exclusive "terrace restaurant" of some good friends.

George

I love that place

#630 Post by **WvanGorp** » August 5th, 2019, 7:08 pm

Matt Fleming · #631 Post by **Matt Fleming** » August 5th, 2019, 11:14 pm

David K o l i n wrote: ↑
August 5th, 2019, 6:34 pm

George Hejna wrote: ↑
August 5th, 2019, 4:56 pm

Best meal of the weekend was on the ultra exclusive "terrace restaurant" of some good friends.

George
I love that place

moi aussi. But nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded.

#632 Post by **George Hejna** » August 18th, 2019, 7:35 am

Couple of new places for me. Cafe Cancale in the old Publican Anker spot. Was good. Oysters were excellent as was the raw bar. Couple of misses on some of the other dishes. Service was spot on. One complaint - the restaurant is so loud. I get it, It is lively and exciting but when you can't even have a conversation with the person next to you and the staff has to bend down and speak in your ear so you can hear them then you have a problem. I prefer GT Fish.

Finally made it to Haisous. No big news here but really excellent food. The whole fish (fluke) was amazing. As was the Papaya salad and Tofu dish. The duck was good but not overly Vietnamese. Can't wait to go back. Wish the wine list was a little bigger. They did have Knoll Riesling for $100 so hard to argue with that.

George

#633 Post by **Robert Dentice** » September 26th, 2019, 2:42 pm

New Michelin Stars for Chicago. Not surprised Roister lost its star. The service was shockingly bad and other than the Chicken dish food just ok.

https://chicago.eater.com/2019/9/26/208 ... stars-2020

#634 Post by **George Hejna** » September 26th, 2019, 3:47 pm

Yeah no surprise there but Grant finally got one for Next so it is a wash.

Kikko is absolutely outstanding so no shock there
Mako was really good so happy for them and to have Chef Park get a star.
Have not eaten at Yume or Yugen.
Dusek’s who lost their star never deserved it in the first place IMO

Thought Oriole might have gotten a third star.... maybe next year.

George

#635 Post by **Phil Smith** » September 29th, 2019, 10:06 am

Shocked at the Kyoten snub... I would’ve thought two stars more likely than zero.

#636 Post by **Keith A k e r s** » September 29th, 2019, 10:22 am

Phil Smith wrote: ↑
September 29th, 2019, 10:06 am
Shocked at the Kyoten snub... I would’ve thought two stars more likely than zero.

especially as they gave stars to the other omakase spots

#637 Post by **Phil Smith** » September 29th, 2019, 10:28 am

I’ve been to Mako a couple times in the last month, it’s very good but I prefer Kyoten.

#638 Post by **George Hejna** » September 29th, 2019, 10:38 am

Phil Smith wrote: ↑
September 29th, 2019, 10:06 am
Shocked at the Kyoten snub... I would’ve thought two stars more likely than zero.

Something must have happened. Maybe Michelin couldn't get enough visits?? It is a tough reservation as so few seats.

Chef also commented that he was opening a restaurant in Chicago so he could get a star(s). Not sure if Michelin likes that or not.

“We had meals that didn’t quite impress upon us that (Kyoten) was at the one-star level,” the chief inspector said.

Michelin can be a mystery sometimes.....

George

#639 Post by **Phil Smith** » September 29th, 2019, 10:45 am

When I saw the results I wondered if his attitude might not have been a factor in the decision, but I don’t know much about the process. Haven’t been in around six months but intend to get there in the next month or so. I will note that their beverage program is pretty weak for a restaurant of their ambition; almost an afterthought.

Michael Klein · #640 Post by **Michael Klein** » September 30th, 2019, 1:11 pm

i guess i don't frequent sushi/omakase spots enough...or ever (wife is allergic to fish) but i guess i find it quite odd that they highlight the michelin star additions for this year. To each their own, but this is exactly why the michelin guide is not exactly my go-to source for restaurants in chicago.

Michael Klein · #641 Post by **Michael Klein** » October 1st, 2019, 2:36 pm

In non-Michelin related news - some of my most recent dining highlights include:

- Good Fortune - enjoyed the food here a lot and the $25 corkage was appreciated. All their glass pours were from magnum or larger (at least the night I was there) so I also enjoyed a pour of pierre moncuit brut from 3L. Food was decidedly "chicago new american" (my term) and executed well. The staff was excellent and the vibe added a ton to the meal.

- Lula Cafe - what is there to say that hasn't been already? Late summer menu was on fire. So good. Again - $25 corkage was appreciated. Roast tomato w/ prosciutto was my highlight.

- Mi Tocoya - what took me so long to get here? Absolutely phenomenal. No wine but I did enjoy my beer quite a bit.

- Galit - went for the second time and was equally impressed. I brought a champagne and paid $25 corkage. Run do not walk to the brisket hummus. Highly recommend a visit here if you haven't been yet.

#642 Post by **John Davis** » October 1st, 2019, 3:03 pm

We went to Lulu (first time) and loved it a couple of months ago.

JD

#643 Post by **David K o l i n** » October 2nd, 2019, 6:18 am

Michael Klein wrote: ↑
October 1st, 2019, 2:36 pm

- Mi Tocoya - what took me so long to get here? Absolutely phenomenal. No wine but I did enjoy my beer quite a bit.

Pardon me, but Mi Tocaya is for mescal

#644 Post by **cjsavino** » October 2nd, 2019, 6:54 am

Was in Chicago last week for a conference. Met up with my nephew and had a very good meal at Gather. He picked it, since it is up the street from his apartment. Nice wine list too.

Michael Klein · #645 Post by **Michael Klein** » October 2nd, 2019, 9:15 am

David K o l i n wrote: ↑
October 2nd, 2019, 6:18 am

Michael Klein wrote: ↑
October 1st, 2019, 2:36 pm

- Mi Tocoya - what took me so long to get here? Absolutely phenomenal. No wine but I did enjoy my beer quite a bit.

Pardon me, but Mi Tocaya is for mescal

touche

Michael Klein · #646 Post by **Michael Klein** » October 3rd, 2019, 1:28 pm

One more I forgot!

- Wherewithall - I thought this place was fantastic. Again "chicago new american". Super fresh, seasonal food and I really liked the pre-fixe format. The service too was amazing. No corkage allowed and a weak IMO wine list. I had a couple glass pours but don't even remember what at this point. I enjoyed wherewithall more than parachute but to each their own.

s.nellessen · #647 Post by **s.nellessen** » October 3rd, 2019, 2:26 pm

re: Galit, agree on Brisket Hummus, and the Shakshukah and Foie are also great. Stuffed cabbage only fair.

#648 Post by **Keith A k e r s** » October 23rd, 2019, 1:58 pm

good grief

I mean seriously, what.the.f*ck.

#649 Post by **Ryan Kilkenney** » October 23rd, 2019, 2:12 pm

Not that I hadn’t already sworn I’d never go to this guy’s restaurant, I guess this is a helpful reminder why. Absolute garbage.

#650 Post by **George Hejna** » October 25th, 2019, 1:01 pm

I didn't even know it was still open. I never hear anyone talk about it.

George