World City Guide

Restaurants

From pizza and hot dogs to ethnic food and haute cuisine, Chicago’s restaurants can satisfy any palate. The restaurants selected have been divided into five categories - Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. They are listed alphabetically within the categories, which serve as guidelines rather than an absolute definition of each establishment.

Restaurants charge sales tax, 9.75%, and it is customary to add a 15-20% tip to all bills.

The prices stated below are for a three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine or equivalent, excluding sales tax and tips unless otherwise stated.

Gastronomic

Arun’s
Thai decor, artefacts and craftwork make Chicago’s foremost Thai restaurant a Siamese sanctuary. Dinner, an ever-changing fixed-price 12-course meal, is a gourmet sampling of authentic Thai cuisine and carved vegetables, such as lobster with a sweet, spicy and sour sauce. Each course is exquisitely presented and can be customised to suit individual tastes. Closed Monday. No lunch. Reservations are required.

4156 North Kedzie Avenue, North Side
Tel: (773) 539 1909. Fax: (773) 539 2125.
E-mail: info@arunsthai.com
Website: www.arunsthai.com
Price: Prix fixe US$85. Wine: US$35.

Charlie Trotters
Menus are seasonal at this popular venue that sets the standard for Chicago’s haute cuisine. The dining salons are elegant and understated, and the cuisine is vibrantly coloured, delicate and exquisite, reflecting subtle Asian and European influences. Unusual pairings create delicious flavour sensations, like parsnip and carrot cake with a carrot and honey sauce served with nutmeg ice cream dessert. Three wine cellars house 25,000 bottles of wine. Closed Sunday and Monday. No lunch. Reservations are required and must be made well in advance.

816 West Armitage Avenue, Lincoln Park
Tel: (773) 248 6228. Fax: (773) 248 6088.
E-mail: info@charlietrotters.com
Website: www.charlietrotters.com
Price: Prix fixe US$100 (vegetable menu), US$125 (grand menu). Wine: US$25.

Everest
Perched on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange building, Everest is also tops for French dining in Chicago. Modern decor and an extensive wine list complement entres that range from halibut wrapped in potato crust to game delicacies such as venison in wild huckleberry sauce. Creative desserts, like a crpe-filled Moroccan date souffl, are delicious. Closed Sunday and Monday. No lunch. Reservations are required.

440 South Lasalle Street
Tel: (312) 663 8920.
Website: www.everestrestaurant.com
Price: Prix fixe US$89. Wine: US$46.

Les Nomades
This refurbished mansion is tucked away, with not-to-be-missed dining in its stylish salons. Service in the award-winning Les Nomades is low-key, but the contemporary French cuisine is upscale. Main courses are sometimes interestingly paired, such as squab and ostrich with vegetables and chocolate-scented squab jus. Closed Sunday and Monday. No lunch. Reservations are required.

222 East Ontario Street
Tel: (312) 649 9010. Fax: (312) 649 0608.
Website: www.lesnomades.net
Price: US$75. Wine: US$35.

TRU
The sleek setting is blue and white but the cuisine is shades of wonderful. Expect to spend at least three hours savouring the creations of award-winning chefs Rick Tramonto and pastry chef, Gale Gand. Ask for a kitchen tour to see the preparations of such delicacies as truffle freeform lobster with lobster mushrooms and emulsion. Superb service, exquisite presentation on Austrian crystal and Versacci-designed china and award-winning desserts are standard at the four-star TRU. Menu changes daily. Closed Sunday. No lunch. Reservations are required.

676 North Saint Clair Street
Tel: (312) 202 0001. Fax: (312) 202 0003.
Website: www.TRUrestaurant.com
Price: Prix fixe US$80. Wine: US$28.

Zealous
In spite of the austere decor, grey furniture, wood and bare grey walls, this refurbished warehouse is still cosy and quiet. The friendly staff is well versed on the 20-page wine menu, and chef Michael Taus invents unusual and creative entres, like Hawaiian Caesar salad and an Australian beef fillet with lobster mash potatoes. Closed Sunday and Monday. No lunch. Reservations are recommended.
419 West Superior Street
Tel: (312) 475 9112.
Website: www.zealousrestaurant.com
Price: US$45. Wine: US$28.

Business

Gibsons
When craving a great steak, locals, tourists and celebrities such as Michael Jordan seek out Gibsons. The staff is friendly and the ambience relaxed. Steaks come topped with any combination of blue cheese, onions, crushed pepper, mushrooms, garlic or a Cajun rub. Some of the portions are so large, the only thing missing are the horns and the tail. Reservations are required. Open for dinner every night, lunch Fri-Sun only.

1028 North Rush Street
Tel: (312) 266 8999. Fax: (312) 787 5649.
Website: www.GibsonsSteakhouse.com
Price: US$50. Wine: US$19.

Branch: 5464 North River Road, Rosemont
Tel: (847) 6928 9900. Fax: (847) 928 1615.

Lawry’s The Prime Rib
Cut to order prime rib rules at this somewhat noisy, Tudor-styled establishment. The friendly personnel provide tableside service and the accompaniments, a spinning salad (salad spun and tossed with dressing), bread pudding and mashed potatoes. Chef Jackie Shen’s special dessert, a fruit- and cream-filled chocolate bag is a must for chocoholics. Vegans, calorie counters and cholesterol watchers need not apply. No lunch.

100 East Ontario Street
Tel: (312) 787 5000.
Website: www.lawrysonline.com
Price: US$33. Wine: US$22.

McCormick & Schmick’s
Seafood is king at this friendly venue with high ceilings, dark woods, leaded glass, Frank Lloyd Wright-type chandeliers and photos of fish that may or may not be on the menu. The rich chowder has plenty of clams, and deliveries of fresh fish come as often as the tide. Visitors should save room for upside down apple pie with cinnamon ice cream or the chocolate bag dessert. Open every day for lunch and dinner.

41 East Chestnut Street
Tel: (312) 397 9500.
Website: www.mccormickandschmicks.com
Price: US$35. Wine: US$24.

NoMI
It is hard to decide which is better – the food, the service, the wine selection or the view of Water Tower and Lake Michigan. A friendly, efficient waiting staff presents elegant cuisine in this busy restaurant. The diver scallops with onion ginger jam, mango and aubergine, and the beef tenderloin entre are gastronomical delights. Reservations are required. Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Park Hyatt Hotel, 800 North Michigan Avenue
Tel: (312) 239 4030.
Website: www.chicagohotelsgroup.com
Price: US$65. Wine: US$38.

Seasons
Impeccable service and artfully presented cuisine is wrapped in a setting of rich panelling, blue damask, a profusion of floral arrangements and a Magnificent Mile view. Recently Robert Sulatycky became executive chef and, if possible, made this elegant venue even better. Chef Sulatycky displays his creative skills with such offerings as apple grilled organic veal chop, a succulent veal chop on a bed of chanterelles, collard greens and creamed corn. The Four Seasons signature dessert, the chocolate pyramid-milk chocolate mousse with a crme brule centre and caramelised bananas – is scrumptious. Changing menu. Dinner reservations are recommended. Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Four Seasons Hotel, 120 East Delaware Place
Tel: (312) 649 2349.
Website: www.fourseasons.com/chicagofs
Price: US$57. Wine: US$46.

The Signature Room at the 95th
The spectacular views from the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center are the best in the city. The room is plush and the food strictly American. The grilled shrimp ravioli and the New York strip steak are delicious, but chocoholics should really save room for the white and dark chocolate mousse cake. A luncheon buffet (a bargain at US$13.95) is served Mon-Sat. Dinner reservations are required. Open every day for lunch and dinner.

John Hancock Center, 875 North Michigan Avenue
Tel: (312) 787 9596. Fax: (312) 280 9448.
Website: www.signatureroom.com
Price: US$56. Wine: US$35.

Trendy

Ben Pao
Complementing Ben Pao’s Chinese Pan-Asian cuisine is a Zen-inspired decor – bamboo, black wood, red accents and a ceiling-to-floor pillar fountain. The food is tasty and creative. Guests can choose from an array of Mandarin, Szechwan, Cantonese and Hunan items, but should definitely try the Portobello mushroom satay marinated in a ginger vinaigrette, the crispy garlic tofu or black peppered sea scallops. Dinner every night, lunch on weekdays. Reservations are recommended.

52 West Illinois Street
Tel: (312) 222 1888. Fax: (312) 222 0925.
Website: www.lettuceentertainyou.com
Price: US$24. Wine: US$24.

Heaven on Seven on Rush
The walls along the wooden booths are lined with bottles of hot sauce in this New Orleans-style eatery. Tasty Creole and Cajun fare, such as gumbo, jambalaya or barbecue shrimp, toss calories to the wind, especially when finished off with pecan or chocolate peanut butter pie. Open for lunch and dinner Mon-Fri, lunch Sat, and closed Sun.

600 North Michigan Avenue, Second floor
Tel: (312) 280 7774. Fax: (312) 280 8884.
E-mail: eatcajun@heavenonseven.com
Website: www.heavenonseven.com
Price: US$25. Wine: US$20.

Branches:
Heaven on Seven,
111 North Wabash Avenue, Seventh Floor
Tel: (312) 263 6443. Fax: (312) 263 3777.

Heaven on Seven on Clark,
3478 North Clark Street
Tel: (773) 477 7818. Fax: (773) 477 7856.

Kit Kat Lounge
The martinis, food and entertainment all feature twists, spice and kicks at this cosy 1940s motif venue. While the Andrew Sisters warble away, diners can savour such specialities as brie stuffed ravioli topped with tomato cream and artichoke hearts, coconut deep fried shrimp with pineapple horseradish, or key lime pie. Soon the lights will begin to flash, the music volume will increase, and a transvestite performer will provide cabaret entertainment. Closed Monday. No lunch.

3700 North Halsted Street, Lake View
Tel: (773) 525 1111.
Website: www.kitkatchicago.com
Price: US$38. Wine: US$26.

Petterino’s
The retro trend is alive and well at this eating locale adjacent to the Goodman Theatre. White tablecloths, semi-circular red booths and caricatures of famous Chicagoans, like Harrison Ford (who grew up in the Chicago suburbs), decorate the walls, while Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald can be heard in the background. Tuxedoed waiters serve chops, seafood, Steak Diane and other sumptuous steaks. Lunch and dinner weekdays. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday. Dinner reservations are recommended.

150 North Dearborn Street
Tel: (312) 422 0150.
Website: www.lettuceentertainyou.com
Price: US$35. Wine: US$30.

Pili.Pili
Located in River North, the city’s newest ‘in’ restaurant got its name from a North African pepper used in Provence cooking oils. The setting is simple - high ceilings, brick walls and soft lighting, and the menu features cuisine from the Northern Mediterranean, including Moroccan tajines, tasty Italian gnocchi with tocco sauce, veal, porcini and tomato sauce and bourride, a Provenal stew. Save room for the delicious tarte Tatin, a pastry topped with warm apples and caramel ice cream, surrounded by caramel sauce. Dinner daily, lunch weekdays. Dinner reservations recommended.

230 West Kinzie
Tel: (312) 464 9988.
Website: www.pilipilirestaurant.com
Price: US$35. Wine: US$25.

Scoozi!
A giant tomato hangs over the door, and inside, brick walls and earthy-tones of the trattoria-styled eatery emit an aura of warmth. The bustling bar and dimly-lit, two-tiered restaurant can be a bit noisy at times, but the din disappears when sampling the pastas, wood-oven pizzas (especially the pizza biancas), the Scoozi trio antipastini (a combination of Sicilian olives, bruschetta and caprese – mozzarella with cherry tomatoes and basil) or, for that matter, anything on menu. Dinner every night. Reservations advisable.

410 West Huron Street
Tel: (312) 943 5900.
Website: www.lettuceentertainyou.com
Price: US$25. Wine: US$25.

Wildfire
Fish and meat glow in the visible ovens, grills and rotisseries of this 1940s- style supper club. Wood, stone, rounded booths, martinis and swing music create the mood. The chopped salad is big enough for two and guests are recommended to try anything that is crusted – clams, steak, mussels or fish. Open every day. No lunch. Reservations are recommended.

159 West Erie Street
Tel: (312) 787 9000.
Website: www.lettuceentertainyou.com
Price: US$35. Wine: US$22.

Budget

Chicago Flat Sammies
Flatbread ‘sammiches’, pizza and people abound at this afternoon hotspot, just off Water Tower Square. Inside Chicago’s Historic Pumping Station, posters decorate Flat Sammies’ oak walls. Grilled pesto chicken covered with mozzarella and sammie splash (an oil, vinegar and herb combination) is extra delicious when accompanied with fresh kettle chips and a nut-filled, fudge brownie. Open until 1700 (until 1800 weekends). Closed Sun.

811 North Michigan Avenue
Tel: (312) 664 2733.
Website: www.lettuceentertainyou.com
Price: US$9.25.

Gold Coast Dogs
Hot dogs are a Chicago lunch favourite and the diner-like Gold Coast serves up the finest. A steamed poppy seed bun, wrapped around a juicy frankfurter, topped with mustard, relish, onions, peppers or ketchup, is best accompanied by French fries and a soda. Open daily 1000-1800.

159 North Wabash Avenue
Tel: (312) 917 1677.
Price: US$5.

Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant
The exterior neon sign is straight out of the 1950s, and so is the interior. Since 1923, customers have been attracted by the variety of freebies given here, such as doughnut holes or Milk Duds (caramel-covered chocolate candies) while waiting to be seated, a prune and orange wedge for breakfast and, for lunch, soft-serve ice cream. The food and service are good at this landmark restaurant, located near Union Station. Breakfast and lunch. No dinner.

565 West Jackson Boulevard
Tel: (312) 939 3111.
Price: US$9.

Pizzeria Uno
Chicago deep-pan pizza was born at Pizzeria Uno. Its cellar-like atmosphere has not changed much since it opened in 1943. Customers still clamour for Uno’s crunchy-crust pizza topped with fresh tomatoes, a thick layer of sausage and lots of mozzarella cheese. Be prepared to wait, because reservations are not accepted at this ever-popular restaurant. Open every day for lunch and dinner.

29 East Ohio Street
Tel (312) 321 1000. Fax: (312) 280 5125.
Website: www.pizzeriauno.com
Price: US$9. Wine US$18. Beer: US$3.50.

Wishbone
Located across from Harpo Studios and the Oprah Show, Wishbone is Southern comfort at very reasonable prices. Spacious and friendly, this is a good choice for down-home Cajun, soul and Southern food. The hoppin’ John or hoppin’ Jack (rice with black-eyed peas or black beans), baked bone-in ham, bacon and mushroomed studded grits and key lime pie all get raves. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Monday nights.

1001 West Washington
Tel: (312) 850 2663. Fax: (312) 850 3104.
Website: www.wishbonechicago.com
Price: US$17. Wine: US$16.

Branch:
3300 North Lincoln Avenue
Tel: (773) 549 2663.

Personal Recommendations

A La Turka
Engraved copper tables, samovars and traditional musical, belly dancers (on the weekends) and tasty fare will have diners believing they have been transported to Turkey. There are even Turkish-styled eating areas where patrons can recline on cushions. The service is friendly, and ample servings include traditional stews, lamb dishes, and vegetarian items. The Sultan’s Wrap, a fillo dough stuffed with chicken breast or beef and vegetables, is mouthwatering. Lunch and dinner daily.

3134 North Lincoln Ave
Tel: (773) 935 6101. Fax: (773) 935 8894.
Website: www.turkishkitchen.us
Price: US$26. Wine: US$26.

Erwin
Although the menu changes, the food is consistently good at this friendly, comfortable, sometimes noisy bistro in the Near North district. The decor is eclectic with window booths and quaint art – a hand-painted mural surrounds the main room. Delicious, homemade bread served with a bean pure accompanies entres with a Midwest flair, like Great Lakes whitefish. Although Erwin does not serve lunch, it does do a fantastic Sunday brunch. Closed Monday. Reservations are recommended.

2925 North Halsted Street
Tel: (773) 528 7200. Fax: (773) 528 1931.
Website: www.erwincafe.com
Price: US$29. Wine: US$24.

Russian Tea Time
Located close to the Symphony Center and Art Institute, this venue, with its soft lights, round red booths and Russian music, sets the scene for vodka, stroganoff and smoked sturgeon. Black bread, beet caviar and carrot salad accompany almost every tasty entre. Ample combination plates for two include croquettes, stroganoff and other tasty morsels. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Dinner reservations are recommended.

77 East Adams Street
Tel: (312) 360 0000. Fax: (312) 360 0575.
Website: www.russianteatime.com
Price: US$40 Wine: US$22.

Trattoria No 10
Trattoria No 10 is a cosy cellar restaurant serving contemporary Italian fare. Dishes, including rocket salad with mozzarella, green apples, tomatoes and lemon or spinach fettuccine with shrimp, broccoli and chilli flake, are as colourful as they are delicious. Those with a sweet tooth should save room for the dessert sampler that includes goodies such as Grand Marnier pt and profiterole pastry puffs. Lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. No lunch Saturday. Reservations are recommended.

10 North Dearborn Street
Tel: (312) 984 1718.
Website: www.trattoriaten.com
Price: US$42. Wine: US$28.

Vinci
If an Italian villa motif, flavourful Italian fare and low-key, competent service seem appealing, Vinci is the place. A Portobello mushroom atop polenta and broth is the signature appetiser at this pre-theatre stop. Pastas, like linguine with courgette, tomato, garlic and breadcrumbs, are the restaurant’s forte. Closed Monday.

1732 North Halsted Street
Tel: (312) 266 1199.
Website: www.davinci-group.com
Price: US$28. Wine: US$27.

Yoshi’s Caf
Yoshi Katsamura mixes French, Japanese and Mexican cuisine and serves it elegantly in a simple setting. The multicultural, mishmash menu includes tuna tartare with guacamole and tortilla chips, Oriental vegetables with chicken and spicy apricot sauce or mille-feuille of chocolate mousse and berries for dessert. Everything tastes good here. Although lunch is not served, the Sunday brunch is excellent. Closed Monday. Reservations are recommended.

3257 North Halsted
Tel: (773) 248 6160.
Price: US$35. Wine: US$28.