Chicago restaurants

Haven't been to Green Zebra, but it is another ex-Trio chef's restaurant. Shaun McClain who is chef / proprietor also runs Spring and Custom House.

The service at Tru is so beautifully choreographed. Every movement is like a dance.

Anyone been to West Town Tavern? It's one of my favorites for overall value.

Also, Rick Tramanto of Tru has a few lower-priced places(although not featuring his pastry goddess ex-wife). Osteria Via Stato is another great spot.

Green Zebra's a good time, I took my parents there when they were visiting. They have a reasonable five course tasting that's probably the best way to experience it all. The flavors are all very vibrant and the presentation is spot on. If you're a big eater I'd be wary - even after five courses, you may not have that fully satiated feeling if you're used to common restaurant portions. My biggest qualm was that it seems like oftentimes they use cream and heavy bases just to add 'more' to the dish without really having a purpose - I'd rather have a really innovative, crisp mixture of vegetables rather than a vegetable infused cream.

Worth a visit, but not sure if I'll be going back given the alternatives.

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

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Haven't been to Green Zebra, but it is another ex-Trio chef's restaurant. Shaun McClain who is chef / proprietor also runs Spring and Custom House.



I still have yet to try Green Zebra, although I've been to Spring and Custom House. Both were excellent.

Also, Rick Tramanto of Tru has a few lower-priced places(although not featuring his pastry goddess ex-wife).

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Did I read somewhere recently that he had opened a steakhouse too, or am I imagining things?

Originally Posted by spertia

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I still have yet to try Green Zebra, although I've been to Spring and Custom House. Both were excellent.



Did I read somewhere recently that he had opened a steakhouse too, or am I imagining things?
He did open a steakhouse...but it's in Wheeling. If I go all the way out there, I'm eating at Chinn's.

God, I miss Chicago. This thread is really bringing back memories. I used to live in Streeterville and then the Gold Coast and ate at most of the places mentioned on this thread.

Avec is best as a date restaurant. It's not for everyone and if you take clients, they may find it a bit too weird.

Walked past Gibson's several times/week but ate there only once. Decent food but nothing great. Clientele sucks. It's hooker central -- assume that any attractive woman who is there by herself can be rented.

One steak place worth avoiding is Gene and Georgetti's. Good food but lousy service if you're not a regular. I was never ready to tolerate the crappy service in order to eat there often enough to become a regular.

Chicago is really the secret best American city. I'd move back in a heartbeat -- if I could talk my GF into coming along. But she grew up nearby and hates the weather. Damn.

well ****... what is a good steakhouse? All I've read here is how every single one that people say is good is actually ****. So, where do you get a great steak in Chicago?

Originally Posted by Violinist

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well ****... what is a good steakhouse? All I've read here is how every single one that people say is good is actually ****. So, where do you get a great steak in Chicago?
Morton's (the original, not the others). David Burke's. Nine. Cap. Grille.

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

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Morton's (the original, not the others).
David Burke's.
Nine.
Cap. Grille.

I totally agree - I hate Gibson's and I am Chicago born & raised.

8 years in NYC made me understand what a sh*thole it really is.

Oddly Cap Grill here is outstanding.

What makes Chicago different/better than NYC?

All I remember is that it wasn't as crowded and O'Hare is a bad airport.

Are the summers really hot?

Originally Posted by Violinist

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Are the summers really hot?

Terribly hot.

Originally Posted by JamesT

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Terribly hot.

I've been considering Chicago as an eventual place to live, but the winters seem too harsh.

Going to Chicago this weekend. Trying onesixtyblue on Friday night and Aigre Doux on Saturday. Had planned on Sepia & North Pond but no reservations were available at reasonable times.

Any good Vietnamese or Thai restaurants for lunch?

I love this town.

The good vietnamese is up north (argyle). I will admit that I am not a thai afficianado, so take this with however many grains of salt you wish, but I would go to Vong Thai Kitchen if I were going to eat thai. It's more fusion, but it's good. And the harsh winters filter out the people we don't want here. If it were sunny all the time, it would be LA.

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

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The good vietnamese is up north (argyle). I will admit that I am not a thai afficianado, so take this with however many grains of salt you wish, but I would go to Vong Thai Kitchen if I were going to eat thai. It's more fusion, but it's good.

And the harsh winters filter out the people we don't want here. If it were sunny all the time, it would be LA.

I've lived with very harsh winters for a long time... looking for a change.

Originally Posted by ragdoll

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Going to Chicago this weekend. Trying onesixtyblue on Friday night and Aigre Doux on Saturday. Had planned on Sepia & North Pond but no reservations were available at reasonable times.

Any good Vietnamese or Thai restaurants for lunch?

I love this town.

southeast corner of argyle and clark, best VN resteraunt in Chicago - locals call it "Tank" but that isn't the name on the sign.

spoon thai or sticky rice, both on western are probrably the best thai places in town. still not as good as I'd like, but good.