best place to eat in Chicago
 

I'm going to Chicago this weekend, and I want to go eat somewhere really great. Money is no object. If you've ever been to St. Louis, I'm looking for a place at least as good as Tony's. Any suggestions? If you have a suggestion, please provide some reason for it. Thanks!

Only two joints I can think of if money is no object:

The original Morton's of Chicago and Harry Carey's (second more for the atmosphere).

House of Blues is a fun joint and there is one of the Medieval Times theme restaurants in Schaumberg (?), not too far a drive.

Ditka's place is great. The food is good and the atmosphere is great.

If you want some amazing pizza, probably the best I have ever had, try Giodano's. I think that's how it is spelt. There is one downtown north of the canal and there is one down near Midway. I don't recommend the Midway one just based on the area, though the food is still great. I really wish I remembered the name of this great little Spanish restaurant, all I remember is that it is west of the Loop area but inside the canal. Sorry I can't be of more help. Can you recommend St. Louis restaurants?

Gibsons is hands down the best steakhouse in Chicago -- steaks cannot be beat -- service is excellent, and the smell of cigars in the cigar bar is heavenly.

Smith and Wollensky, while not as good as Gibsons, is still quite good, and even better if you can get a table outside overlooking the river if it's a nice night.

House of Blues is fun, and they usually have a decent house band playing...

Medievil times is pretty much well - if you like knights -go - the food is beyond awful...

If you're looking for the <i>best</i> in Chicago and price truly isn't an issue, then go to Charlie Trotters. I believe it is one of only a very few five star restaurants in Chicago, and supposed to be one of the best in the nation as well. As such, it is very very pricey and has a "jackets required" kind of dress code, but hey, you wanted to know the best. :)
Here's a few links for more info:
http://www.charlietrotters.com/restaurant/
http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/d...,7901320.venue

If you'd like something also very good and a little more unique and laid back and not quite as pricey, check out Foca de Chao. It's a Brazillian steakhouse where you pay $50 for dinner, and bascially get all the steak/pork/lamb/etc that you want to eat plus potatoes/salad/etc until you tell them to stop bringing you food.
Again a link for more info:
http://www.fogodechao.com/

Charlie Trotters is quite nice, excellent choice...

Speaking of celebrity chef's... frontera grill - (i can't remember what street it's on but i don't think it was far from Printer's row) is rick bayliss's restaurant - it's an outstanding authentic tex mex place - it's not your momma's taco bell - food is incredible.


Keefer's on West Kinzie is also quite good, and during nice weather, they have lovely al fresco dining. Food's excellent, service is excellent, and it's not a stuffy kind of place where you are uncomfortable if you use the wrong fork...

I've eaten in most of the places suggested and all are excellent. If you ever have more time to spend in Chicago, I'd suggest visiting some of the ethnic neighborhoods. Mom & pop places in the Greek part of town are unbelievable. Chicago has the largest Polish population outside of Warsaw, with restaurants to match. I have no particular suggestion, but if you drive to an ethnic part of town and look for a crowded place, you'll probably do well.

Greektown has some fabulous places... I'm not sure I found a bad one.. and it's such a vibrant area too.. and places are cheap...

Find a Polish cabbie (they are plentiful) and ask them for suggestions for a good Polish place - i've been to a few that had Pirogie to die for...

Good call. They have a great stuffed pizza there. Here's a link to the place where they have all of the locations, etc.

Now I'm a jersey/new york girl, and don't beleive you can get decent pizza outside of Patsy's under the brooklyn bridge, Totonnes on Coney Island, or pretty much any pizza joint in Jersey... i like my crusts thin...

BUT - when in Chicago - -deep dish is the way to go...

there's a giordano's almost across the street from the sears tower (it's actually not the best lunch place in town, but it'll do) Just stay away from the quick lunch pizzas, it's made in the monrning and just reheated (blech - ptooey)

Gino's East - on wells and Ontario - I think is the best pizza in chicago... and the grafitti on the walls is just such fun to read while you wait.

there's also another one on north Wells near the Merchandise Mart, that my diehard cubbies friends love.. Lou something or other... the sausage pie is to die for...

Lou Malnati's?

Lou Malnati's is VERY good pizza. So good, they have a service where their pizza can be shipped frozen anywhere in the US! Gino's (www.ginoseast.com) is also great pizza, and another good suggestion would be Pizzeria Uno (www.pizzeriauno.com).

Onodrim said it: if you're really looking for a high class experience and money is truly no object, Charlie Trotter's is the way to go. But ONLY if you literally mean money is NO object. ;)

I'm a big fan of Phil Stefani's restaurants. I'd recommend either of these three: Tuscany, 437 Rush, or Riva.

No one mentioned The Berghoff. It is not fancy but the beer is great and the German food is hard to find elsewhere.

The root beer is pretty great too, i beleive they make it on the premises-- I am not a fan of the food - it's OK in the winter, when you can handle a heavier meal, but in the summer - no thanks... It's kind of a chicago institution, but there are by far better restaurants... with better service..

Gino's is absolutely GREAT! I believe that they have taken down the Grafitti which had been a bit of a trademark. At least the one in St. Charles has gone back to bare walls which is unfortunate. It added a lot of good character.

When I'm in Chicago I can't get out of town without grabbing a meal at Topolobampo. It's one of the Rick Bayless restaurants (its sibling is the Frontera Grill). The Mexican cuisine at Topo is outstanding... :thumbsup:

http://www.fronterakitchens.com/rest...obampologo.gif

Topolobampo

If you want really good Mexican, go to Maria's in Rosemont (just a bit NW of Chicago). mmm...Mole Enchiladas with cheese.

I'd highly recommend Hugo's Frog Bar. It is owned by the same group that owns Gibson's, and they even tout on their menu that they serve Gibson's steaks, which are obviously awesome. Hugo's has THE BEST appetizer I've ever had.........mini filet sandwichs. They are about the size of a White Castle or Krystal burger, but it's an extremely tender piece of filet mignon that they put on the bun, it melts in your mouth. It can be a bit pricey (last trip for four was about $330, with only two drinks a piece), but it is a treat. :)

I love this place:

http://www.lastradaristorante.com/

Smith and Wollensky's is awesome here in Miami so I can just imagine it in Chi. Charlie Trotter is a god in the culinary universe so you know........ you should eat there(if you can afford it). Mortons(the original) must be amazing because the Mortons here in South FL are just to die for.... its expensive though(but worth every damn penny) man sooooo good.

other than whats already been suggested I cant think of anything offhand... I havent been to Chicago since I was very young:(

The food at Mortons is outstanding, the ambiance leaves a lot to be desired.. It's very plain, stark white tableclothes,and the tables are very close together, it's ok for an expense account dinner, it would not be a place that i would pick for aromantic type dinner... It's also down a very dark set of steps...

S & W is quite lovely if you can sit outside or on themain level, otherwise it's just another steakhouse - though the bar is quite nice... the downstairs of the restuarant is very drab.

I went there as a tourist and the service was horrific. It took probably half an hour to get our drinks (which he screwed up) and the cups were tiny. He forgot to put in our pizza order. We never had any refills.

It was awful.

Across the street at Tavern on Rush can be pretty cool when you sit at a table with a view on a nice day. It's a great place to just sit and people watch. :D