If you're all about food, I would suggest either calling the Publican to see if they can accommodate you tomorrow (open table says they have 5:30 and 10:00 available, but I bet you can call and get a more reasonable time), or show up at Avec at around 6, where you'll probably have to wait for about a half hour to an hour for a table, as they don't accept reservations. While these are two of the better known places in Chicago, I think they're very deserving of their accolades, and they both do a good job representing Chicago food (pork + beer) while churning out really high caliber and innovative dishes. You could stuff yourself and get a few drinks for under $60 per person at either one. Of the two, I would suggest the Publican.
I'm also a huge fan of
Au Cheval, and if you're willing to get away from downtown, I think
Yusho might have been the best meal I've had in the last year.
