Chicago - Michigan Ave Area Rest Recs

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
1

We will be staying on Mi Ave near the Chicago River. I’m NOT looking for Chicago’s greatest chef driven restaurants since I’ll have my adult kids with us and we’re more interested in places that might have a cool view of the river or fun atmosphere combined with very decent food. We’ve eaten at Japonaise before and really enjoyed the food and atmosphere. We don’t want Fridays or Pizza Uno but we also aren’t interested in a place that only offers world class food like Alinea sans atmosphere. Want something with some food creativity and solid chefs but also a place that is cool, may have a view or cool room & atmosphere. Somone else can have that coveted reservation at Alinea. We’ve got Beard award wining chef driven restaurants in Minneapolis. I want a place that says Chicago or is unique. Can you help. We’re willing to walk or take a short taxi ride too. Cost is not a factor either. BYOB friendly is helpful as I plan to buy some stuff from Binnys to carry in.

2

Not quite to your description, but right nearby is a little small plates/wine bar called The Purple Pig that is quite good, surprisingly good given the address on Michigan Ave. I’m a big fan of The Publican - think ingredient driven chef meets German beer hall, as well as sister restaurant Avec (no reservations), which is simple modern atmosphere and tremendously well executed food with an interesting wine and beer list. The Rick Bayless empire is on fire right now - Topolobampo, Frontera, or Xoco (from most expensive to least) all offer interesting takes on Mexican cuisine. I think any trip to Chicago is worthy of a trek out to Hot Doug’s for crazy good hot dogs in all sorts of strange combinations. Avoid prime lunch hours (not open for dinner).

BTW, I’d argue that Alinea has plenty of atmosphere in that the food itself makes the atmosphere, but that’s another story. Ditto on Moto and Schwa.

3

Thanks Brad for your ideas. What is the strategy for getting into a Bayless restuarant? No reservations,right? Also don’t mean to be harsh on chef driven restaurant atmosphere but many of them don’t even even feature pics of thier room on their web sites because I think, for many, the food and maybe the service are all that counts. I’m seeking really good food but a cool place too.

4

You can get reservations at Topo and, at lunch, Frontera.

Spiaggia is a great room (although wine prices may give you a heart attack).

Lake Michigan views through the windows on the left) They do expensive corkage.

Also nice room is the front room at North Pond in Lincoln Park.

Nice views of the pond and foliage out the window, as well as great views of the skyline.

5

For interesting spaces: Get a window seat at Nomi (good food, too) for Sunday brunch or try 16 (only eaten there once, decent meal) in the Trump tower for dinner or drinks. Roof terraces of many downtown buildings/hotels are nice spaces to start or finish an evening, too.

6

Check out The Gage, Naha, Custom House or Blackbird as well. Honestly there are probably 15-20 places that are worth checking out.

BTW- Brad, did you end up getting to The Bristol?

7

Yes! The Bristol was very good, nice cocktails too. Walked down the street after and had a pork belly taco at Big Star and then another great cocktail at The Violet Hour. I didn’t include it in this list as it’s no higher on atmosphere than any other place really, and, frankly, I do give Avec a bit of an edge over The Bristol. But if you’re up for a “food and cocktail” crawl - the bristol to big star to violet hour would be tough to beat.

8

The Violet Hour is great, but, for me, in small doses.
Glad you had a good trip.

9

Not sure when you will be here- but Stephanie Izard’s place, The Girl and The Goat is opening…like this week. Its a very cool looking room. I am sure the food will be great. Don’t have any idea corkage etc, but the ownership group’s other restaurants are BYO friendly. Won’t have a view- but think it will have a high hip factor.

http://www.girlandthegoat.com/gallery/

10

Kith and Kin would probably work for you too.

11

this is totally not what you’ve requested (it appears you’ve requested dinner locations), but i’d recommend stopping by the Billy Goat Tavern (the lower MI Ave. location) for a burger and beer – a Chitown classic.

12

Kith and Kin was great the other night - open reasonably late as well.

13

Naha, Custom House, Kith & Kin a few weeks ago was very good. North Pond fits your description, too. Perennial & Boka are solid choices, too.

JD

14

I believe Custom House just lost their chef.

15

Didn’t he just get there in the last year or so?

JD

16

Thanks David. You’re right Spiaggia is expensive. The men should wear coats dress code might be an issue for me. I prefer to wear highend jeans and a nice shirt to dinner. Is this place a little stuffy? Appreciate the photos you added.

17

Thanks, we are Top Chef fans.


18

Yes Spiaggia requests jackets. It is formal but one of the best.

Yes the chef just arrived last year. The partners split with the previous chef/partner shawn McClain last year and put this guy in(sorry I don’t know his name). I don’tknow why he left but it was in June.

19

Really, No atmosphere?

[scratch.gif] [shock.gif]

George

20

Another recco… C-House in the Affinia Hotel on Superior. The suckling pig app was friggin’ amazing, and everything else was very good, and very reasonably priced. Very comfortable, sleek and uncramped room.