Chicago Restaurant

Alas, don't get there often, eat near Barrington Il.

To-try 2022: Mi Tocaya Antojería

RickBayless places - not open on Sunday!

• Frontera: few reservations (8wks lag on weekends) (no Open Table), mostly first-come-first-serve, but that often means getting there at 4:30 to get seated when they open at 5:30. Else you go put your name on a list and come back in 2hrs. But awesome (esp the ceviche sampler). (But a little cramped/loud environment for the price. Go for the food.)
• Topolobampo: 8-10wk wait for reservation (on May06'2011, next days were Jun21+, and that was for 9pm and later. And yikes all tasting-menu, and the cheapest options are $90/person
  • Apr'2019: finally got in. Really good, but not sure it was worth the price. Also, they really drag it out, even if 9 courses I don't want to sit for 2.5hrs.
• XOCO: cramped-super-casual place. Really tasty sandwiches and home-made hot chocolate

312 Chicago: probably best scallops I've ever eaten (normally not a fan); great roasted brussels sprouts

Anteprima: italian/game: very good. Crowded/informal/loud. Not as much game meat available as I expected, and I didn't even order the rabbit. The grilled octopus appetizer was fabulous - super-tasty and a great texture. The orecchiette was also very tasty.

North Pond: nice but not memorable for me

Bongo Room: excellent brunch

MK: excellent but rather pricey http://mkchicago.com/ - closed Jun'2017

The Peasantry - Lincoln Park - not bad didn't not in a hurry to go back http://www.thepeasantry.com/menu

Belly Q - excellent http://www.bellyqchicago.com/

Places I want to try:

• Mon Ami Gabi: classic french bistro http://www.yelp.com/biz/mon-ami-gabi-chicago
• Yusho
• Boka: hrm entrees over $30 http://www.yelp.com/biz/boka-chicago
• Ada St - near my office; no reservations http://www.yelp.com/biz/ada-street-chicago
• Perennial Virant closed: "cooking with pickles" http://www.yelp.com/biz/perennial-virant-chicago-3
• Gemini Bistro: sister to Rustic house but seems more chic and modern in menu. http://www.yelp.com/biz/gemini-bistro-chicago
• Urban Belly http://urbanbellychicago.com/ definitely want to try
• Blackbird, Avec, Publican: (blackbird is way more expensive than other 2) Jul'2017 finally ate at Publican - enjoyed it so much we're going back a few weeks later to try the things we didn't get to
• Grace - West Loop
• Bavette's Bar & Boeuf - River North
• Carriage House-Wicker Park
• Suni Robata Bar - River North
• Chez Moi - Lincoln Park
• The Boarding House - River North
• Siena Tavern- River North
• Aquitaine (too dark/formal?) - Lincoln Park http://www.singlepage.com/aquitaine/menu
• Bandera http://www.allmenus.com/il/chicago/272481-bandera/menu/ mains $25-30
• Calo http://www.calorestaurant.com/dinner-menu.html
• The Union (Evanston)
• Acre (gone downhill?)
• Big Bowl
• Old Town Social
• Fork
• Prasino
• Branch27 - http://www.branch27.com/menu.html - looks a little boring for dinner, better for brunch
• Fat Rice (Logan Square) http://www.eatfatrice.com/

May'2013: Contemplating affordable options for Memorial Day near Lincoln Park

• Chicago Q http://www.chicagoqrestaurant.com/ - trying that
  • outcome - quite good BBQ, esp StLouisRibs. Rather narrow menu, you have to be in the mood for that.
• Southport And Irving http://southportandirving.com/menus/dinner/ apps $9-11, "headliners" $19-21 - made reservation through Open Table but they called me 2hrs before dinner to say it was a mistake and they weren't open
• Wood http://woodchicago.com/#menu small plates $10-15, large plates $23-30 - a friend said friends of theirs got sick here
• Jacks On Halsted http://www.yelp.com/biz/jacks-on-halsted-chicago http://www.jacksonhalsted.com/ http://www.jacksonhalsted.com/menu.html apps $10-12 main $18-25 menu looks a little too boring
• Cafe Ba Ba Reeba http://www.yelp.com/biz/cafe-ba-ba-reeba-chicago promising for future but not available in evening
• Thai Classic http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-classic-restaurant-chicago http://www.thaiclassicrestaurant.com/menu.html no prices! (but probably pretty cheap) http://www.thaiclassicrestaurant.com/gallery.html BYOB
• Always Thai http://www.yelp.com/biz/always-thai-chicago http://www.alwaysthaichicago.com/menu.html apps $4-6 main $8-11 http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/always-thai-chicago?select=KrGCcMOoj_F9aDHTYF1W2w#Bp5kxpG0toTopOkhox08bg BYOB
• John Barleycorn bad reviews
• Miss Asia Thai http://www.yelp.com/biz/miss-asia-chicago http://order.easyfoodnow.com/missasia apps $4-6 mains $8-12 http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/miss-asia-chicago?select=CZf3IOXF08i8SCSuk4L-xQ#CZf3IOXF08i8SCSuk4L-xQ BYOB
• Tandoor Char House http://www.yelp.com/menu/tandoor-chicago apps $6 main $13-15 whoops BYOB fail! Also not awesome looking
• Sai Cafe almost entirely sushi

related Tea Rooms

• Drake Hotel Palm Court 1-5pm http://www.thedrakehotel.com/dining/palm-court (near Oak St Beach)
• Peninsula Hotel lobby 230-430 http://chicago.peninsula.com/en/fine-dining/the-lobby-afternoon-tea (along Michigan Ave just S of Drake Hotel)
• FourSeasons Allium - I think this only happens occasionally http://www.alliumchicago.com/events/not_your_aunt_sallys_high_tea/ (right near Drake Hotel)
• Russian Tea Time 230-430 http://russianteatime.com/ (across from Art Institute)