Paul P. wrote: > Im going to Chicago in July and have never been there before. > Could someone reccommend some good restaurants. > I particularly like: > > Thai > Cajun/Creole > Seafood > Mexican > > Feel free to suggest other kinds. > Thanks a lot. > > -- > Paul Porcelli > Technical Programmer > Dept of Aerospace Engineering > University of Glasgow > E-Mail: [email removed] > Tel: 041-339-8855 (x4345) Here is my Chicago file from the net > >I will be in Chicago on Friday, December 18, and have been told to try >"The Original Gino's" pizza. I was wondering if anyone could give me >directions from Midway airport and/or suggest any other lunch-type >establishments. Thanks for the help. > I'm not a native but I learned to drive in town. From Midway, take the Stevenson (I-55) north and exit onto Lake Shore Drive north. Get off of LSD somewhere near Congress or Monroe by turning left, heading west 2 blocks, and turning right to travel north on Michigan Avenue. Travel on Michigan about six-eight blocks, notice you're crossing the river, and then count (I believe) six more blocks to Ontario. If you pass the Water Tower, you're two blocks too far north. Gino's is 1/2 block east of Michigan on Ontario. You can't park right out front, so you'll need to find a garage to park (or an open meter - a rare commodity during lunch on Friday). Be sure to watch the many 'One Way' signs in the area - the CPD does. Other favorites are: Ed Debevic's at Ontario and Wells, 8 blocks west of Michigan Ave. Realisitc 50s/60s atmos. complete with sarcastic service and great food. Hard Rock Cafe, 1 block east of Ed's on Ontario. Avant garde place, decent food, more of a place to say you've gone than to go to eat. A-1 Beanery, North Pier Mall, Illinois and Grand. Excellent Mexican-Texican cuisine, decent prices and the world's *best* red wine sangrias. Well, hope this helps. Enjoy the Windy City. p.s. If you could email me any other responses you get, I'd appreciate them. I'm always looking for new places to go and new ways to get there. thanks -- Leon Shugrue [email removed] Go to Bruna's Ristorante. You take I-55 (is that the Stevenson? I think so) to Damen avenue and go north to Blue Island and then turn left and go a few streets down and turn right. It is on a corner about two streets down on the left. It's good, though, and the Spaghetti Carbonera is NOT alfredo sauce + bacon + spaghetti. It is good good good. I would recommend the Mussels Marinara as an appetizer and the Fettucini Paglio et Fieno (I think that's right. It means hay and straw). The Zuppa de Pesce is good but rather expensive. Don't get it if you got the mussels since they are kind of similar. Same chef, you know. The Linguini con Calamari is kickin', too. ---- Hi: Have you tried The Babaluci, it's at Webster and Damen? I think it's great Italian food (some of the best to compare with what I've had in Italy). To me it is also reasonably priced. Check it out. Let me know how you like it. I have recommended it to about 4 other people and they all liked it very much. Don't try it on a weekend, but week nights you can usually get a table with no waiting. The service can be a bit surly at times, but I think the food makes up for it. I never tried the Carbonara, so I can't comment on that. It's all Northern, so maybe they don't even offer carbonara, which is traditionally a Southern dish. I've been there about 5 times, and have not been through the entire menu yet, I usually order the special. Another place I frequent is Trattoria di Roma on Taylor Street. The wait staff (and kitchen) is Italian, and the food has always been perfect. The Quattro Stagione is exactly as I remember it in Italy. Order it for an appetizer (if you like raw eggs on your pizza!). ---- In early October, I ate at Pane Caldo, which is just off Michigan Avenue near Bloomingdales. I enjoyed my pasta, prices were moderate. One nice aspect about Pane Caldo is that they open very early (7:30 a.m.?) as a bakery/coffee place, and stay open until late at night as a restaurant. I also ate at a Lettuce Entertain You place (maybe called Tutte Milano) which I did not enjoy as much, and it was noisy and crowded. Cafe Spiaggia (not Spiaggia, but the Cafe) was also good. The cafe is much cheaper than the main restaurant, and it is the same food. Convito Italiano is supposed to be especially good for risotto, but I have not tried it. Get a Chicago magazine; it is helpful in finding places. Rosebud is supposed to be good Italian, but I have not tried it, either. All is good time. ---- Try some of the places on Taylor street, near UIC. Start at the intersection of Taylor and Morgan, and go west. There's Tuscany, Trattoria Roma Terza, Rosebud...Tuscany is pricy but the food is tremendous. Reservations are definitely needed if you want to avoid a long wait. It's much easier to get into some of the smaller places at dinnertime; that strip does a lot of lunch business from UIC and even offices in the Loop. A memorable dish last winter at Tuscany was tortellini stuffed with wild mushrooms...<ecstatic sigh> ---- My favorite Itailian place in Chicago would have to be Anna Maria's Pasteria. It's at 3953 N Broadway. It's a very small place but I think they take reservations. Entrees' are around $10, they don't sell alcohol so bring your own. They are extremely flexible, so if you don't see what you want on the menu they will probably be able to make it anyway. ---- There's a small italian rest. across from UIC that serves fresh hand made everything. The name is Tufanos (sp) but there's no sign on or in front of the building. The building is in the middle of the block directly across a UIC parking lot. It's between Morgan and Racine on Vernon Park Place. You'll know when you've found it by all the cars double parked in front of it. ---- My two favorite spots would be La Gandolla on Ashland just north of Fullerton and Stefani's on Fullerton just west of Sheffield. ---- Try the Como Inn. Downtown, off of Milwaukee, I think. ---- No one has mentioned the four or five restaurants on Oakley Street just North of Blue Island. It's about 2400 S. Oakley. Tuscano's and Bachanalia are there along with a few others. We used to go there a lot. All the restaurants are moderately priced. My boyfriend grew up in Italy and at one time they were our favorite restaurants to go to. Of course, we're both students and were stretching our finances just to go there. Once we discovered Trattoria Gianni (1711 N. Halstead) we stopped going to Italian restaurants (except in Italy). Trattoria Gianni was great, but it always wound up costing about $30./each which is too much for us most of the time. Two Italian restaurants I recommend everyone avoid are Tutto Posta and Trattoria Dinotta. The waiter at Tutto Posta recommended the scallops, which were excellent - all two of them! I cannot forgive a $9 main course which can be entirely consumed in four moderate bits. The scallops were accompanied by a single peeled tomato. The meal was definitely too expensive, but as comedy we got our money's worth! To be fair some other members of our party fared substantially better. The food was barely ok at Trattoria Dinotta and the atmosphere was worse. The owners apparently invested in only one Frank Sinatra tape which they played over and over while we were there. They must have played only one side as we did not linger. I recommend Trattoria Gianni for those who can afford it, although I have not been in a while. Try the crustini. ---- yeah, definitely Tuscany. I don't eat out very often, so when I went there I had a true 'dining experience'. I went during the summer, early in the afternoon, they open all the front doors, and the light comes very majesticly, and the food was great. I felt like I was in Italy (not like I've been there before). ---- I dunno which one you mean. I live here in Little Italy, and for my money, Rosebud is the best of the bunch. Tuscany is too pricey and the food is not as good. The chefs are not exactly subtle there and the wine list is...well...overpriced. The guy who owns Rosebud is a real "comer" in the Chicago cuisine biz and for good reason. Anybody notice the UPS ad on TV that shows how they deliver to all over the world, and they flash a shot of the Italian Ice place here on Taylor? I thought that was great. ---- Try Bella Vista (on Belmont, one block west of the el stop in a renovated bank building). The pasta entrees hover around $10 (some are less); and other entrees go higher. But if you and a friend share an appetizer and a main dish, it's possible to escape well-fed and not completely broke. My other favorite is Tucchi Benuch (sp?). It's located in Bloomingdale's building--the new swanky-dank mall located at the northern end of Michigan Ave. It's also a bit more expensive than you might wish--but well worth it. ---- I'm not sure about the "around $10" part, but give Luciano's (downtown) a try. I recommend linguini and clam sauce with a glass of chianti....mmm mm mmm....the atmosphere does much for the experience also. Reservations are not required but are probably a good idea. Just a warning, this place will ruin the Olive Garden for you! -- Dan Katz [email removed] Dept. of Electrical Engineering 1(708)491-8887 Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208 E pur si muove > I was recently in Chicago on business, and did not have a chance to do any > "fun" things. I'd like to come back, but wonder what "fun" things there are > to do there. > > I like dance clubs (modern) and I also like jazz. Museums, restaurants, and > historical sites also interest me. If there are any "must sees" in Chicago, > let me know!! Please post. > > Thanks, > Lynn > > ******************************************************************* > no one lynn walker > expects the [email removed] > spanish inquisition!!! toronto, canada > ******************************************************************** Science ??......Museum of Science and Industry (From downtown take Number 6 Jeffrey exp. Southbound get off on 59th. By car take lake Shore drive southbound exit on 59th. You will see the museum on your left. Aquarium??......John G. Shedd Aquarium. All kinds and types of sea habitants. 1-4 miles from Downtown Chicago depending where you are. Next to it you will find Field Museum of Natural History. Architect??.....Check out Chicago Skyline from John G. Shedd Aquarium. Nice view. Walk through downtown Chicago and all the landmarks, building and Architectural designs are there to discover. One notable person is Frank Lloyd Wright. He has one that I know Southside Chicago near Museum of Science and Industry or in the compound of University of Chicago. Historical??....On Michigan & Chicago avenues you will find Water Tower, the only one left during the notorious fire in Chicago 18??. If must go during June-July. In June the have an event called Test of Chicago where some few hundred restaurants participate. Great variety food. Chicago local Pizza, ela's Cheese cake. Music??.........There is Cotton Club on Michigan and twenty?? street. Or you can go to Hardrock Cafe on Ohio and Dearborn??. Modern rock and Reggea go to Belmont & Clark street northside Chicago. more_info??.....Contact the Mayor's special events office. Lots of action! Gook Luck. Desperately_seeking_chicago, yonas Restaurants: Thai: Rosded's in the area of Lincoln and Western Indian: Anywhere on Devon Persian: Reza's on North Clark Street Italian: Taylor Street area Yummy Italian ice (Summer only): Taylor Street (I don't remember the name -- just ask someone) Korean: Gin Go Gae on North Clark (I think) Chicago Style Hot Dogs: Byron's on North Avenue Vegetarian, good summer patio: Heartland Cafe in Roger's park Burritos: El Famous in Roger's Park Greek Food: Greek Town area Chicago Style Pizza: Carmen's Pizza Downtown Cafe: Gold Coast Upscale, downtown Indian (Northern Indian cuisine): Bukhara Great beer selection, interesting people: The Artful Dodger Tapas: Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba Continental: Jerome's Seafood: Davis Street Fish Market in Evanston Call to check on hours of operation and whether they have a liquor license. Most of the above restaurants are pretty inexpensive -- they were my favorite haunts when I was victim of graduate-student poverty, and they remain among my favs. >Your question is tempting but virtually impossible to answer. Chicago >is, perhaps, the most diverse and interesting "restaurant city" in the >continental U.S. Others would certainly argue, but I would prefer the >dining out choices in Chicago over New York or L.A. Hmm, I'd'a said San Francisco or New Orleans myself. Anyway, try PS Bangkok on Halsted for Thai, and Mama Desta's Red Sea (on Clark?) for Ethiopian. I prefer Edwardo's to the other pizza chains, but try them all and post a report. :-)
Chicago, IL
Chicago - Reccommendations
Paul P. wrote: > >Im going to Chicago in July and have never been there before. > > Mexican While I haven't had a chance to sample the Mexican around here (but if you stop off in New York City, Mary Ann's comes highly recommended from me and my girlfriend ... located in Chelsea, the East Village and the Upper East Side at 3rd Ave./80th St.), but recommendations from my recent enquiry boil down to: La Margarita (in the NW suburbs, by Motorola's HQ); Nuevo Leon (just south of downtown Chicago, 18th/20th and Ashland/Western [somewhere in that square region); Frontera Grill/Topolobampo ... this seems to be a gourmet hit from the files that I was sent. Topo is the pricier upscale section of what are essentially the same restaurant (same owners, same block). Others that I had enquired about from a discount coupon book elicited no responses (except for La Margarita; that tells me something! (-;). However, a couple of places from the higher priced coupon book listing La Margarita include Mi Pueblo (it has multiple locations, and if it looks anything like Chi-Chi then I'm turning the car around!), and around the North-West El Torero and Tapalpa-A. Even if you don't like pizza, do give the Chicago stuff a try! They basically break down into two types: a) Pan: Gino's East (3 locations: downtown, NW and near NWU) and Pizzeria Uno/Due' downtown only (this is not the chain found in the rest of North America). b) Stuffed: Giordano's, Edwardo's, Carmen's and Bacino. All have multiple locations. I will be back later with news about category B! (-; gld
Paul P. wrote: > >Im going to Chicago in July and have never been there before. >Could someone reccommend some good restaurants. > > Thai For great Thai food, go to Arun's. Not only is it the best Thai food in Chicago, it's one of the best restaurants in the city. You'll need reservations, but that's not usually a problem. It's located on the North Side, just above Irving Park Road (I'm not sure of the street it's on). If you want to try Vietnamese food, Pasteur is a very good restaurant on the far north side near Lake Shore Drive. Vietnamese food is great - they have a Catfish dish in a carmel sauce baked in a clay pot that is quite tasty. > Cajun/Creole > Seafood If you want to spend money, the Cape Cod Room at the Drake Hotel on North Michigan is very good and very classy. However, there's a place called Boca del Rio on Clark just north of Belmont (north side) that serves great Mexican seafood dishes. Their ceviche appetizer is out of this world. > Mexican There are many pretty good Mexican restaurants in the city. My favorites are Nueva Leon in Pilsen on the near SE side (I think it's on 18th Street just east of Halsted) and Lindo Mexico on Lincoln just above Wrightwood on the north side. A great, fun place to hang out is Ranalli's on Lincoln, a block or two south of Armitage. Their thin-crust pizza is good and they have about 100 kinds of beer to choose from. The attraction to Ranalli's, for me, is sitting outside on their huge patio under the trees. It's kind of yuppie, but very pleasant. After dinner, you can walk through Old Town, across Lincoln, a very nice residential neighborhood. Also!! You must go to Feeding Frenzy on Halsted just north of Belmont. The place is a real scream, lots of fun, and the food, an eclectic menu, is very good. I won't spoil it by telling you too much, just go before 7 so you won't have to wait forever in line. It's not to be missed. (about $20-30/person) Have fun.
Konak - a Turkish restaurant at 5150 N. Clark. What incredible food!!!!
Paul P. wrote: >Im going to Chicago in July and have never been there before. >Could someone reccommend some good restaurants. >I particularly like: > > Thai > Cajun/Creole > Seafood > Mexican > >Feel free to suggest other kinds. There is a great area for Vietmanese/Thai food on Broadway and Argyle, just a bit north of Broadway and Lawerence. I also like Jada (thai), 1909 N. Lincoln Av. --Ken
John A. wrote: >Konak - a Turkish restaurant at 5150 N. Clark. What incredible >food!!!! > >-- >John Altinbay - [email removed] >=============================================================== Amen to that, and Rezas--Persian, about two blocks north of Konak. You get so much food, you'll die trying to eat it, and it's fantastic.
In article , [email removed] (Dianne M. Angeloff) says: > >John A. wrote: > >>Konak - a Turkish restaurant at 5150 N. Clark. What incredible >>food!!!! > >Amen to that, and Rezas--Persian, about two blocks north of Konak. You >get so much food, you'll die trying to eat it, and it's fantastic. AND, north of Rezas is Tehran. They have a wonderful barbequed chicken on a mound of dill rice. AND, great dessert pastries.