A Real Person's Dining Guide To Chicago

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Alyson Franklin
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1 A Real Person's Dining Guide To Chicago No one ever really looks at those dining guides in the tourist books, right? After all they are not put together by real people. Snobby food critics compile their lists based upon some warped sense of what food should be judged on (presentation and texture rather than taste) and with a desire for portions so small an entire meal will fit on a single tablespoon. True story - recently I heard one critic complain that his desert was too large and too sweet. He actually asked who would ever want something sweet for desert. We know who - We do! So this guide was compiled by, and for, members of the ACBSP. These are the personal recommendations of those who live, work, and/or play in Chicago. Enjoy! Fine Dining - expensive, but a true experience that will be remembered. The Capital Grille 633 N. St Clair St. (1 block north, 1 block east) :30am to 3pm, 5pm to 11pm. This is a very comfortable, elegant, restaurant with a wine cellar that cannot be topped, the service is excellent, and the food is incredible. For appetizers I love the pan fried calamari. My wife loves the lobster but for me it is the Porterhouse steak. Be sure to make reservations. Jackets required. Everest 440 S. LaSalle ( ) (40 th floor of Chicago Stock Exchange) Gracious French dining with unbelievable multicourse meals. Vegetarian options are available. 7pm to 11:30 pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Plan on between $100 to $200 per person, but a meal that you will remember forever. Reservations are a must. Take a cab for this 6 blocks west, but perhaps 12 blocks south Grace 652 W. Randolph ( ) The contemporary menu features both flora and fauna in either 8 or 12 course menus (vegetables and meat/seafood). The food is truly an incredible dining experience and the wines are exquisitely matched to the meal. The dress code is business casual and plan on turning your cell phones off. Dinner begins at 5:30 and reservations are an excellent idea (call between 9 am and 5pm). This is a fairly expensive place but well worth it. 5 blocks south and 9 blocks west. Morton s Steakhouse 1050 N. State ( ) If you love steaks this is the only real place to go. You will find them all over the country, but THIS is the original! The bill will be a bit steep (everything is ala carte) but you will not complain. This is a meal that cannot be described. The martinis are an excellent complement to go with the baked five onion soup, the Porterhouse steak, grilled asparagus, Chicago style horseradish mashed potatoes and the chocolate cake. Monday through Saturday, 5pm 11pm, Sunday, 5pm 10pm. Reservations are an excellent idea. 3 blocks west, 6 or 7 blocks north. Sixteen Trump International Hotel, 401 N. Wabash ( ) What would you expect of a first class restaurant in a Trump property? Opulence, excellent cuisine, a high degree of pompousness, and a high price tag? This place delivers. There are various tasting menus. We usually go for the 8 course meal. The view and atmosphere is incredible and so is the food. I would suggest you plan on about $200 per person, but the meal will be a true memory. They are open for breakfast (6:30 to 11 am), lunch (11:30 to 2:30), and dinner (5:30 to 10 pm). They do have an excellent Sunday brunch (11 to 2:30). The dress is business casual. Two blocks west. Spiaggia 980 N. Michigan (2 nd floor) (4 blocks north) There is no better Italian restaurant in America than Spiaggio Esquire Magazine. This Italian restaurant is a true experience. I particularly like the seafood dishes. The food looks great, but tastes even better. The wine cellar is excellent. Men must wear jackets. Service begins 6pm (5:30pm on Friday and Saturday) Reservations required: or

2 Pizza - Chicago Style!!! With a slight nod to those thin crust fans who do not know any better. The Art Of Pizza 3033 N. Ashland Ave ( ) Offers pan, stuffed, and something called thin crust pizzas. I would go for the stuffed. The Southwestern (bbq sauce base, ground beef, onion, and bacon) ($28 for a 14 ) not only is incredible sometimes you won t even care about the heartburn! This is an award winning pizza place in the city that is known more for its pizza than its sports teams (except during the Michael Jordon years). It is quite a distance, but well worth it. About 35 blocks north and a maybe 4 or 5 blocks west if you take the Clark Street bus north. Giordano s There are several locations. I think the closest is 730 N. Rush St. ( ) This pizza is in such demand that you can actually get it shipped to you all over the country. Rated as Chicago s Best pizza by NBC! CBS! The New York Times! Chicago Tribune! and Home & Garden Magazine! Quite simply you can t go wrong with anything you put on this masterpiece of a pizza. 6 blocks north 1 block west. You can even order on line (giordanos.com). Pizano s Pizza & Pasta, 864 N. State ( ) $20-30 per person. Lou Mannati is a legendary Pizza maker here in Chicago, and this is run by the third generation. It features the beloved buttery deep-dish that is Chicago Style. About 3 blocks west and 4 blocks north. 11am to 2am. The sausage and peppers are a great appetizer and my wife loves the BBQ Chicken Chopped salad. The minestrone is great as well, but, it is the pizza! Pizzeria Uno, 29 E. Ohio ( ). This is where Chicago pizza was born, and it remains the king. This place is always crowded, and the waits are long, so you will have to be patient. When you make your reservation be sure to give them your pizza order so it will be ready when you finally sit down. Yes, it takes that long, but it is well worth every second. No need to look at the menu, you know you want the Numero Uno, or as they call it, The one. The best. That says it all. This place even has great beers of the area on tap go for Goose Island. Plan on $20 to $30 per person. This true piece of history is just about 1 block north and 1 block east. Remember, My University Is Paying For This! Enjoyable Meals At A Reasonable Price Carson s Incredible American barbecue. 5 words: Hickory-smoked baby back ribs. With them you need the corn bread and the au gratin potatoes. 612 N. Wells (7 blocks west, 1 block north) :30am to 10pm (11 pm Friday & Saturday) $35 to $50 per person Kinzie Chophouse 400 N. Wells St. ( ) A chophouse that offers reasonable size portions. My favorite is the 8 oz steak (with herbed butter) for $20. This leaves you with enough to get the hot-buttered rum cheese cake. Open for lunch and dinner every day. 6 blocks west. Nacional W. Huron St. ( ) Great Latino food with a 3 course meal for $27 to $30 per person. Must have meal is the Cuban suckling pig. Monday through Thursday 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30 to 10:30 pm. 4 blocks north and 5 blocks west.

3 Cuisine From Around The World Ann Sather's (Swedish): While this Swedish diner is open for lunch and dinner, and the food is great, forget about that. This restaurant is all about breakfast. After having one of their truly incredible breakfasts, with the most decadent, words cannot describe them, cinnamon rolls, you will never be satisfied with anything else ever again. Try the Swedish pancakes with lingonberries. Expect to spend around $20 per person, dress is casual. 929 W. Belmont You will need a cab for this one. Fogo De Chao 661 N. LaSalle Brazillian style food featuring an incredible selection of meats, side dishes, and a salad bar that is beyond description, with an all-you-can-eat philosophy! You need to have a huge appetite for this place, and you must love meat! Reservations are a good idea. 11 am 10:30 pm. 5 blocks west and 2 blocks north you ll need the walk afterwards. Lunch $35, Dinner $ India House 59 W. Grand Ave Quite an expansive menu with many vegetarian options. My wife loves the Dahi Aloo Poori and I usually get the chicken tandoori, but this is an excellent place to experiment. The bar is very good as well. It s right around the corner really. Reservations are a good idea. 11am to 2:30 pm, 5:30pm 10:00pm For dinner plan on spending $30 to $45 per person. Italian Village (Italian) 71 W. Monroe ( ) About 5 blocks west and 8 blocks south. This is actually three different restaurants in the one building. My favorite is the Village which features traditional Northern Italian dishes. It is open Monday through Thursday from 11 am to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 1, and on Sunday noon to midnight. My favorite dish is the Veal Piccata Scallopine. The Seafood Salad is also very good. Expect to pay $35 per person. The other two restaurants are Vivere which features contemporary Italian cuisine and La Cantina. Japonais (Japanese) 600 W. Chicago ( ) Mon-Fri 11:30am - 1:30pm, 5pm to 10:30pm. My favorite dish at this Japanese restaurant is Salmon Japonais with coffee & donuts (think New Orleans Beignets), all with a fine sake. Plan on around $30 a person at least. Jin Ju (Korean) 5203 N. Clark ( ) Only in Chicago would you go to the traditional Swedish neighborhood to find a great Korean restaurant. Not a very flashy place, more of a neighborhood type restaurant so it is a hidden gem! I love the dak bulgogi. It is open for dinner on Tuesdays through Sundays from 5 pm to 10 pm on Thursday, 11 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 9 pm on Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday. Typically about $30 to $35 per person. About 5 blocks west, but 50 blocks north so a cab is needed. Les Nomades (French) 222 E. Ontario ( ). No question about it have the Kobe beef filet with the lemongrass ginger crème brulee and a great wine as a part of your four course menu. The menu would be considered contemporary French and the décor is very appealing. The wine cellar is quite good. The owner previously was at Le Francais (the world famous French restaurant that closed its doors awhile back. The four course meal is $115 per person and well worth the price. 2 blocks north, 2 blocks east, and reservations are an excellent idea. Moon Palace (Chinese) 216 W. Cermak ( ) This is a fair distance away, in Chinatown, but it is well worth the cab fare. Features authentic Mandarin, Sichuan, and Shanghainese cuisines. Very affordable, a great meal for less than $22 per person is entirely doable. I recommend the Hot & Sour Fish Filet Soup, the Braised Duck with Black Mushrooms, and the Cumin Flavored Lamb. Serves both lunch and dinner. About 30 blocks south and 5 blocks west.

4 Pho Xe Tang (Tank Noodle) (Vietnamese) 4953 N. Broadway ( ) about 15 blocks west and 45 blocks north, this will definitely require a cab. This is a plain restaurant in appearance, and it is often crowded, but the food is great. A fine meal for no more than $25 a person is entirely possible. The Hot and Spicy Chicken Lemon Grass is my favorite. My partner loves the marinated squid stir fry with assorted vegetables. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day but Wednesday. Ras Dashen (Ethiopian) 5846 N. Broadway ( ) Sunday to Thursday 11 am to 10:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. The chef prepares and serves traditional Ethiopian home meals which are well worth the long drive. The menu features many excellent vegetarian and vegan dishes. Rated by Zagat as extraordinary to perfection. My favorite dish is the Shimbera Asa Wat, and beef eaters might wish to try the Yeqay Ferfer. This is a place where the more the merrier in terms of the dining experience, so bring a large group and make sure everyone orders a different dish! Plan on spending around $30 per person. Russian Tea Time (Russian) 77 E. Adams ( ) Right across the street from the famous Art Institute of Chicago have a great meal and then take in the master pieces of the master artists! This is a small, but elegant restaurant with excellent meals. It is open 11 am to 9 pm on Sunday through Thursday and 11 am to 11 pm on Fridays and Saturday. They have an Afternoon Tea Service daily from 2:30 to 4:30. My favorite meal is the Mushroom Barley Soup, Moldavian Meatballs (although the Beef Stroganoff is incredible as well), and the Black Russky (a dark chocolate mousse desert). A little on the pricy side (up to $60 per person, but well worth every penny). About 8 blocks south. Saigon Sisters (Modern Vietnamese) 567 W. Lake ( ) Reservations are a good idea here. 13 blocks west 5 blocks south. Open for lunch Monday through Friday 11 am to 3 pm and dinner 5 pm to 10 pm Monday through Saturday. They do have a restaurant at 251 E. Huron on the second floor that is open Mon to Friday 7 am to 8 pm and on Sundays from 10 to 4 (4 blocks north 1 block east). The lamb luc lac is excellent as is the ca hap. The vegetarian BBQ eggplant is also quite tasty. Enjoy the Vietnamese coffee (iced). An excellent meal for less than $30 per person. Shokran Moroccan Restaurant (Moroccan) 4027 W. Irving Park ( ) This is quite a distance maybe 63 blocks north and 45 blocks west. But if you love real Moroccan food this is the place. It was given 5 stars from ABC News. I highly recommend the Merguez couscous and the Harira Soup. The Taktouka is a great appetizer. It is important to note that they only accept cash and you should plan on around $35 per person. They are open for dinner on Wednesdays through Mondays 5 pm to 10 pm. They do offer a Belly dancer upon special request (call ahead)! Tavernita (Spanish) 151 W. Erie ( ). About 3 blocks north and 5 blocks west. The crowd really makes this a place with a great atmosphere and an incredible decor to enjoy a great meal at a cost of about $40 per person. The wild halibut is my favorite dinner and the pappardelle pasta is also fantastic. The corn side is great and goes well with the New York strip steak. Dinner is 5 pm to 10 pm on Monday and Tuesday, and 5pm to 11 pm on Wednesdays to Saturdays. Reservations are a real good idea. Thai Pastry Restaurant (Thai) Quite a distance at 4925 N. Broadway ( ) but the curry is well worth the drive! They are open for both lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, and dinner on Friday and Saturday. An excellent meal can be had for less than $20 per person. I particularly like the Fried Stuffed Chicken Wings. My wife is fond of the Fish Cake Curry. About 15 blocks west and 45 blocks north so take a cab.

5 Uniquely Chicago Billy Goat Tavern: cheezboiger, cheezboiger, cheezboiger. No Pepsi, Coke. No fries, cheeps. Famous in Chicago long before Belushi, Ackroyd, and Murray immortalized it on Saturday Night Live as the lunch place for reporters, this is a get what you see, no substitutions, kind of place, that has to be experienced. What do I recommend? Cheezboiger, coke and cheeps. There are several locations, like one on Navy Pier, but go to the original. It's just a block away at 430 N. Michigan (lower level). The phone is , but why? This is not a reservations kind of place. Mike Ditka's Restaurant: There is only one "da coach", and that is Mike Ditka. Now primarily a restauranteer, this man is so loved that he was almost forced to run for governor a few years back. Unfortunately he turned out to be too honest for the job. The man loves to eat, and so he knows how to feed his patrons. This 4 star restaurant features gourmet sandwiches, salads, and entrees. I recommend the prime rib sandwich or the steakhouse burger. For salad lovers try the Maryland crab cake salad. You will pay about $25 per person for lunch. Open from 11am to 10 pm. Located at 100 E. Chestnut. Phone: About 8 blocks north. Ed Debevick's: the quintessential 1950's diner, but with a spin - the waiters sing & dance (I am being kind here) and insult you. Think hash house created by Don Rickles! 640 N Wells (2 block north and 7 blocks west of hotel). Plan on around $20-25 per person, but the portions are large. An absolute must is a milk shake or malt. If you go into appetizers, try the spinach artichoke dip. The chili is good (particularly the 6 way). We like the Ed's blue man burger, and Ed's mom's meatloaf plate. Open from 11am to 9pm. Phone: Goose Island Brew Pub 1800 N. Clybourn ( ) The name says it all this is for the true beer lover (and what is more Chicago than loving beer?). You should plan on having the four-beer flight ($10) where you have a selection of over 20 drafts to pick from. The service and atmosphere is very good and compliments the food that goes so well with freshly brewed beer. I prefer the prime cheddar burger with the cured bacon. If you want something a bit more daring, try the Cuban sandwich or the German pork chop sandwich. Open daily from 11 am to 10 pm. A great meal for $25 to $30 per person. Don t try to get there on your own there s no easy way to describe the path you would have to take. Enjoy a cab ride. Something to eat while... The courtyard restaurant at the Art Institute Hot dog, fries, and ice cream at the Lincoln Park Zoo The Corner Bakery with a view of Sue, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, at the Field Museum. The Soundings Café at the Shedd Aquarium. Chicago style Big Dawg and a frosty beer at the Cubs game.

Small Group Dinners 2014 PART-TIME MBA CONFERENCE

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