Ok,
What is the one restaurant (non-Trotter's) I need to hit while I'm in Chicago?

Thanks!

The Dining Room at The Ritz-Carlton. It's our favorite restaurant in Chicago- outstanding food, wine, service, ambience- virtually perfect in every way.

For a less expensive, yet excellent meal, our favorite is Kiki's Bistro at 900 North Franklin. The duck is excellent and they have a modestly priced wine list with a large selection of Burgundies.

I heard nothing but good stuff about Tru....

Gibsons

I would suggest Moto -- no matter what you think of the place, you will talk about it for a long time! I personally consider it gimmicky (I've used the term "smoke and mirrors" on more than one occasion), but many people I know and respect consider Moto to be the future of fine dining.

Mark

PQ, when you heading to Chee-ca-gooo?

WIML,
I'll be heading up for a weekend in mid or late January, not sure of the exact date. I just wanted to go on and get reservations at a killer restaurant.

I'll be there the 12/29-30 and have an offline planned with the Chicago Wine Mafia the 29th. Was hoping you just might be there at the same time (i.e. going up for New Years).

PQ:

the ritz as B-O indicates is fantastic, as is tru. we've also enjoyed everest, which is downtown.

WIML, looking into availability that nite, hope to be able to pull it off and see you then.

You could always get a Billy Goat cheeseburger

FYI, the long-time chef at the Ritz-Carlton Dining Room left a few months ago to start her own restaurant in the suburbs, and I understand that some of the Dining Room staff went with her. I'm still waiting to hear from someone who has dined there since Sarah Stegner's departure, as I'm not willing to spend that kind of money on an unknown...

Mark

Everest

I don't get out much to the top restaurants, but I can vouch for Kiki's Bistro. Love that place. Corkage is only $15 and the food is fabulous. Bring your own stems, though.

I have dined at Everest. If you like Alsatian wine and cuisine, then it is about as good as it gets in the USA.

I have heard Tru is an incredible experience, with a unique "food as art" motif. It's at the top of my wish list for my next special occasion dinner.

Trio in Evanston is also cutting edge. Worth checking out if you are staying in that area.

Of the steakhouses (really can't go wrong with any of them), I'm partial to the Chicago Chop House.

For seafood, I like Nick's Fishmarket. They fly their fish in from Hawaii twice a day (once for lunch and once for dinner). Perhaps the best waitstaff service I've ever had, too.

There are tons of great Italian restaaurants. I like going to the small ones like Trattoria Gianni, A Tavola, and Via Emilia. For the best wine list, it's Vivere (part of Italian Village resturant). Vinci and Volare (where we had the Neal offline) have friendly corkage policies, as does A Tavola.

To read restaurant reviews and get phone numbers go to www.metromix.com

Have a great time!

Cheers,

Otis

Agree with otis on The Chicago Chop House. Go for the 48 ounce Porterhouse for two.

It's funny you should mention the 48 oz porterhouse, Board-O.

Whenever my German colleagues are in town, they insist that we go to the Chop House and order this (along with a 5 lb. lobster). They giggle like schoolchildren when it plops down on the table. Sometimes I think it's the only reason they come visit us.

Cheers,

Otis

Thanks Guys!
I think we've set up our dinner line-up as
Blackbird
Chicago Chophouse
Nick's Fish Market (Mrs. PQ's choice)