Restaurants
By some estimation there are over 6,000 restaurants in Chicago,
representing just about every cuisine across every price range
imaginable. It can certainly be a thrilling experience to eat an
authentic Ethiopian meal or a true south Goan curry under the
shadow of the Sears Tower.
Chicago has been earning a growing reputation at the cuisine
capital of America, with its concentration of award-winning chefs
and world-beating fine dining establishments. Two local restaurants
- Alinea and Charlie Trotter's - recently made the influential
San Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants list for
2008.
While Chicago offers everything from haute cuisine to hotdogs
with all the trimmings, its true specialty is the world-famous
deep-dish pizza invented at Pizzeria Uno in 1943 and now available
throughout the city.
Top areas for dining include trendy Lincoln Park, China Town,
Little Italy, and Pilsen, a Mexican neighborhood.
| Penny’s Noodle Shop |
$$$$$ | Asian |
Established by Thai native Penny Chiamopoulous, this simple and
spacious Chicago eatery serves some delicious authentic Thai
cuisine and other Asian fused dishes to perfection. Sample
everything from Crab Rangoon, a crispy dumpling stuffed with cream
cheese and seafood, and Tom Yum soup to Hot Pepper Noodles and Thai
ravioli dumplings stuffed with shrimp & pork and served with
BBQ pork, lettuce, green onions, cilantro and peanuts. Open daily
for lunch and dinner. Reservations not accepted.
Address: 950 W. Diversey Ave
E-mail: webmaster@pennysnoodleshop.com
Telephone: 773 281 8448
Arun’s has been called the finest Thai restaurant in the
city and possibly the country too. Dinner is an ever-changing
fixed-price menu comprising of a gourmet banquet of 12 exquisitely
presented courses that puts the efforts of other Thai kitchens to
shame. A special menu can be designed to suit individual tastes on
calling ahead. The culinary experience is complemented by
traditional Thai décor and displayed artwork. Reservations are
required with a credit card. Closed Monday. Dinner only.
Address: 4156 North Kedzie Avenue, Irving Park (North Side)
E-mail: info@arunsthai.com
Telephone: (773) 539 1909
| Charlie Trotter’s |
$$$$$ | International |
Namesake of celebrity chef Charlie Trotter, this multi-award
winning restaurant is regarded as one of the world's finest
restaurants, producing haute cuisine that is highly original and
inspired by subtle European and Asian influences. Trotter prides
himself on the ability to combine foodstuffs and unusual flavour
sensations in an unparalleled way and prepares his menus daily from
the best of what is available seasonally. The Charlie Trotter's
dining experience is through three fixed-price multi-course tasting
menus: the Grand menu, which combines seafood, meat and grains, the
Vegetable Menu and the Kitchen Table Menu. Advance reservations
essential. Closed Sunday and Monday. Dinner only. Jacket
required.
Address: 816 West Armitage Avenue, Lincoln Park
E-mail: info@charlietrotters.com
Telephone: (773) 248 6228
Towering above the city with commanding views from the 40th
floor, Everest is one of the city's premiere French dining rooms
offering the world-renowned cuisine created by Alsatian chef Jean
Joho. His distinctive style is a blend of 'noble' and 'simple'
ingredients for unusual flavour combinations, such as caviar or
foie gras with potatoes or cabbage, drawing inspiration from the
cookery of his native Alsace. Everest includes classics like
lobster and lamb, as well as a vegetarian menu, and some creative
desserts. Closed Sunday and Monday. Dinner only. Reservations
required.
Address: 440 South LaSalle Street, 40th Floor, One Financial Plaza building (The Loop)
E-mail: everest@leye.com
Telephone: (312) 663 8920
The black and white interior splashed by the colour of carefully
chosen artwork provides a minimalist yet elegant setting for the
prestigious patrons of Tru and its superb progressive French
cuisine. The menu is divided into several fixed-price options
ranging from three courses to a variety of multi-course
'collections' that showcase the creativity of the chefs. Excellent
service, exquisite presentation and award-winning desserts
compliment the dining experience. Closed Sunday. Dinner only.
Reservations essential and jackets required.
Address: 676 North St Clair Street (Near North)
Telephone: (312) 202 0001
| Morton’s of Chicago |
$$$$$ | American |
King of the Chicago-style steakhouses, Morton's on North State
is the original restaurant and upholds it reputation against stiff
competition with huge succulent steaks cooked to perfection. It is
famous for its signature tableside menu presentation, where a
trolley is rolled out containing main course selections that are
described in appetising detail by the server. The menu features a
variety of cuts, including the house speciality, the 24-ounce
(680g) porterhouse steak, as well as fresh fish, lobster, veal and
chicken. Open daily for dinner. Reservations recommended.
Address: 1050 North State Street (River North)
Telephone: (312) 266 4820
| Frontera Grill/Topolobampo |
$$$$$ |
The award-winning husband and wife team Rick and Deann Bayless
serve authentic Mexican cuisine recreated from recipes gathered
from across the border in both the casual Frontera Grill and in the
adjoining, classier fine-dining Topolobampo. Frontera is brightly
coloured and vibrant, with a changing menu based on Mexican home
cooking. Topolobampo offers a luxury menu composed of pricier
ingredients, including wild game and regional specialities. Open
for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Frontera accepts
reservations for parties of five or more only; otherwise the
waitlist can be very long. Reservations are accepted, and are
recommended at Topolobampo.
Address: 445 North Clark Street (Near North)
E-mail: managingchef@fronteragrill.net
Telephone: (312) 661 1434
| Vermillion |
$$$$$ | Indian |
The high ceilings, clean lines, crisp white tablecloths and
black and white photos clinging to the walls create an ambient yet
stylish and sophisticated dining experience, where the Indian-Latin
food is as contemporary as the restaurant. Indian tapas such as
cilantro tamarind shrimp, coconut chilli mussels, and duck
vindaloo arepa tantalise the taste-buds, while signature dishes
include chilli-glazed blackened tamarind ribs served with
amchur tortilla crisps and a sweet corn salsa, or fiery culinary
delights such as the Desi goat curry in a rich Indian gravy served
with naan. This restaurant lives up to its reputation as one of
Chicago's finest eateries and does not disappoint. Reservations
recommended on weekends. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and
dinner. Saturday and Sunday dinner only.
Address: 10 W. Hubbard St
E-mail: info@thevermilionrestaurant.com
Telephone: 312 527 4060
| Blackbird |
$$$$$ | American |
Chicago's chicest diners and celebrity clientele flock to this
sought after, relatively recent addition to the West's 'Restaurant
Row', where the smart minimalist interior is the perfect backing to
the ornate food presentation and creative renditions of
French-influenced contemporary American food. The exterior of the
restaurant is as stylish as the food, and the seasonal menu is
creative yet simple and features dishes such as wood-grilled
California sturgeon with English peas, braised peanuts, crispy
bacon and bourbon carmel. Closed Sunday. No lunch Saturday.
Reservations recommended.
Address: 619 West Randolph Street (West Loop)
Telephone: (312) 715 0708
| Mirai Sushi |
$$$$$ | Japanese |
Top-quality sushi and sashimi dishes are to be found in this
funky-hip eatery that exudes a youthful ambience. Fresh fish is
flown in daily for the sushi bar where several inventive chefs whip
up a list of delicious offerings to order. Upstairs the futuristic
saké lounge is the city's hippest place to sip saké
or vodka with passion fruit. Dinner daily. Reservations
recommended.
Address: 2020 West Division Street, Wicker Park
Telephone: (773) 862 8500
| North Pond |
$$$$$ | Modern Eclectic |
Claiming one of the prettiest settings in the city, North Pond
is situated within the famous Lincoln Park, in a building that was
originally an ice skaters warming house, overlooking Chicago's
skyline. In keeping with the natural setting, chef Bruce Sherman
emphasises organic produce and simple but delicious seasonal
cuisine. The wine list focuses on boutique vintners. Dinner Tuesday
to Sunday, lunch Tuesday to Friday (June to September), brunch on
Sundays. Reservations recommended. Jacket and tie recommended for
dinner.
Address: 2610 North Cannon Drive, Lincoln Park
Telephone: (773) 477 5845
| Uno Chicago Grill |
$$$$$ | Italian |
Pizzeria Uno is famous for its original Deep Dish Pizza, a
pie-like crust stuffed with meat and fresh vegetables and cheese.
This Chicago-style pizza originated at Pizzeria Uno in 1943 and
both locals and out-of-towners pack into the panelled rooms for a
filling meal. Other delicious dishes on the menu include Angus Beef
steaks, ribs, and inventive new creations such as Chicken Milanese
or Spicy Chicken Flatbread. There is often a wait, but regulars
maintain it is more than worth it. Open from 11am daily.
Address: 29 E Ohio Street
Telephone: (312) 321 1000
