It is known as a "toddlin " town, and plenty of toddling takes place in Chicago; that is if it means what I think it means. If it includes excellent dining, please consider a few place that are worth adding to your schedule.
Let's start at the top ... literally, and that would be Everest (312-663-8920) Fine dining, a view of the city, excellent service in a beautiful room all make for an evening that you will remember. Dining at the top of a tall building usually is a guarantee of a view of mediocre food. That is not the case here. Everest has always been good, it actually keeps getting better.
Charlie Trotters (773-248-6228) cannot get any better, unless someone else is paying the bill. The seasonal ingredients are used to insure that you will experience the maximum of flavor course by course, wine flight by flight. This is an evening to leave serious discussion behind and let your senses be in charge. Let the professional staff guide you through the offerings, respond to questions and help to make this a special night. Trotters is almost always in the top five choices on the U.S. restaurant list and there can be no argument.
Steak eaters get ready. Chicago may have been "hog butcher to the world" but there are many choices to find steak that is as good as it gets. Morton's (312-787-7100) is a traditional and the start of the national claims. The Chicago Chop House (312-787-7100) offers top quality, and the atmosphere that says big city steak house.
My favorite? Try Gibson's (312-266-8999). It has a great location on Rush St, a hip bar, great crowd and the best steak with additions for everyone. In a town that loves beef, Gibson's stands out.
If you're giving Italian food a thought diners, Chicagoan have a love affair with Gene and Georgetti's (312-527-3718). It is not the most beautiful location. It must be the food, and year after year, meal after meal, they deliver. For the real thing take a cab ride to Rosebud (312-942-1117) on West Taylor. In the area of the University of Chicago, it's like home cooking in Italy, if your home features authentic ingredients, authentic recipes and authentic red and white tablecloths. Beautiful, no. Bountiful, indeed!
Stay downtown for a taste of the Orient. Try Vong's Thai Kitchen (312-222-0101) Jean-Georges Vongeritan relies on spices and seasonings to add dimension to the flavorful offerings of this jewel. Every dish is unique, and as one of the worlds most recognized celebrity chefs, the reputation for innovation is proven in every meal.
Many cities claim to offer the best pizza. Forget it. Chicago wins. Gino's East is a landmark in the shape of a pie. Pizzeria Uno and Due started here, and worked its way across the land to many locations. Giordano's (312-751-0747) has a large following amazing to the local fans. In fact, start your hunt by asking a few locals, listen to determine who you trust and take their suggestion. Bad pizza does not survive in Chicago.
And what can be said about Ed Debevics (312-664-1707) Need home cooked food? Eat at Eds. Crave freshly a made malt? Eds. Want to pick your favorite oldies but goodies in an in-the-booth, flip the page mini juke box? It's at Eds. Need some sass from a poodle skirted bobby soxer, or some lip from an erstwhile delinquent? Find your way to Eds. Take some friends who have a sense of humor, relax and enjoy. There may be others like it, but Eds is a retro original, and you are guaranteed to get a helping of fun with your food.
Submitted by
Bill Oestreich
