Free night in Chicago tomorrow - recommendations? (1 Viewer)

[Judge Smails]

Staying at Sheraton on N Water St. conference done at 4. Options;

1)  Cubs  game vs Phillies. Been to Wrigley once 

2) Second City - never been

3) Grest restaurant - thinking Italian

Anything else?

 

[ProstheticRGK]

I was going to say "if you have two nights free in Chicago, why didn't you just start one thread for both nights?"

But, after reading your post, I've actually eaten at Liam Neeson's restaurant, Itsliam. The sous chef there has a particular set of skills that will serve you a charcuterie plate to die for.

 

[Aerial Assault]

Staying at Hyatt Regency on N Water St. conference done at 4. Options;

1)  Cubs  game vs Phillies. Been to Wrigley once 

2) Second City - never been

3) Grest restaurant - thinking Itsliam

Anything else?

Nah, that about covers it.  Have a grest time!  

 

[[icon]]

If you’re a Bourbon guy... a glass of something special in The Office as a nightcap couldn’t hurt 

 

[msommer]

Is Buddy Guy's Blues Legends still open?

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Staying at Hyatt Regency on N Water St. conference done at 4. Options;

1)  Cubs  game vs Phillies. Been to Wrigley once 

2) Second City - never been

3) Grest restaurant - thinking Itsliam

Anything else?

Recommend Second City.  If you want your suggestions to be heard during improv sketches, sit up close.  If you want the best view of the main stage, ask to sit on the rail.  Some of their shows sell out, so check online if tickets are still available.

 

[Ilov80s]

As for Italian in Chicago, obviously there is no shortage of great places. I liked RPM (very modern vibe). Also, I think you are staying near The Purple Pig and Frontera. Neither are Italian but both get a big thumbs up from me. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

The sous chef there has a particular set of skills that will serve you a charcuterie plate to die for.




 

Thanks @ProstheticRGK    Can you elaborate? 

 

[Joe Bryant]

Not Italian but my favorite restaurant in Chicago is The Girl and the Goat   It's tough to get a reservation on short notice but maybe someone at the hotel could help.  

 

[Ilov80s]

Thanks @ProstheticRGK    Can you elaborate? 

I think it was a joke based on the typo of Italian in the OP and the Taken movies

 

[Joe Bryant]

I think it was a joke based on the typo of Italian in the OP and the Taken movies

Ah. Thanks.

Not enough coffee this morning apparently. 

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

Not Italian but my favorite restaurant in Chicago is The Girl and the Goat   It's tough to get a reservation on short notice but maybe someone at the hotel could help.  

Was the last cut from our restaurant list for a recent family trip to Chicago.  Replying here mainly as a reminder to catch this one next time I’m in town.

Also in West Loop... if you like pizza but don’t like “Chicago-style” pizza... Forno Rosso is a terrific Neapolitan joint, one of those places that cooks pies for 90 seconds in a 900-degree oven.  

 

[Joe Bryant]

Was the last cut from our restaurant list for a recent family trip to Chicago.  Replying here mainly as a reminder to catch this one next time I’m in town.

Also in West Loop... if you like pizza but don’t like “Chicago-style” pizza... Forno Rosso is a terrific Neapolitan joint, one of those places that cooks pies for 90 seconds in a 900-degree oven.  

It's worth it @Bruce Dickinson    Make sure to plan ahead. We just got reservations at the end of the month and the next ones open were in July. At least from their website. It's also fun to have as large a group as you can get so you can order lots of different things and share. 

I loved it as it was fun and a little adventurous (Duck Tongues were super good) but totally without the pretentious snobby vibe. I hate the places that use the tweezers to place the arugula leaf at exactly the right angle or spend more time drizzling the glaze in swirls than it takes to cook the food. Girl and the Goat was the opposite. Great food, some unusual stuff, but did not take themselves or the food so seriously that it wasn't fun. Lots of places don't live up to the hype. This one went above. Highly recommended. 

 

[Judge Smails]

Cool. Thx guys. Solo so hoping I can sit in a bar somewhere to eat without reservations 

 

[Phil Elliott]

We were just in Chicago about a month ago. Ate at the Purple Pig. We had a reservation, but we grabbed a couple seats at the bar instead.  Food was excellent! Also had a great afternoon snack/wine at Rosebuds' on Rush (Italian).

 

[ericttspikes]

Not Italian but my favorite restaurant in Chicago is The Girl and the Goat   It's tough to get a reservation on short notice but maybe someone at the hotel could help.  

If you go early you have a decent shot at getting a walk in table, most likely outside. I’m 2 for 2 just showing up eithout a res and having dinner. Worth a try. If you get shut out there’s always another place.

 

[wilked]

Some decent 'older' bands playing in Chicago tomorrow.

Eels

Primus

Paul Simon

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

It's worth it @Bruce Dickinson    Make sure to plan ahead. We just got reservations at the end of the month and the next ones open were in July. At least from their website. It's also fun to have as large a group as you can get so you can order lots of different things and share. 

I loved it as it was fun and a little adventurous (Duck Tongues were super good) but totally without the pretentious snobby vibe. I hate the places that use the tweezers to place the arugula leaf at exactly the right angle or spend more time drizzling the glaze in swirls than it takes to cook the food. Girl and the Goat was the opposite. Great food, some unusual stuff, but did not take themselves or the food so seriously that it wasn't fun. Lots of places don't live up to the hype. This one went above. Highly recommended. 

Sounds like my kind of place.

We also really liked Gyu-Kaku, one of those Japanese BBQ places with the min-grill in the middle of the table.  Ordered up a sampler where we got to try several cuts and flavors of beef, plus some chicken and shrimp.  The kid got some stopwatches going (everything was cut so thin it only needed 1-3 minutes over the heat) while I manned the grill; she was calling out splits like a NASCAR pit crew.  Bunch of laughs and the food was delicious.  And they brought out s’mores kits for dessert, which might not be authentic Japanese but was fun to hold over the heat. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

Also, sorry if this is too late but I liked the Revolution Brewpub a lot. Beer was great and food was good. And cool vibe. 

And you may have already made all the pizza rounds but Pequod's is my favorite there. It's @Aaron Rudnicki approved. 

 

[Brony]

Cool. Thx guys. Solo so hoping I can sit in a bar somewhere to eat without reservations 

Given the nice weather, I'd walk the river west to LaSalle and then cross the river and window shop places on Illinois, Hubbard and Kinzie.  Tons of bars/restaurants and you'll find a place that fits you.  

Hyatt actually has one of the better lobby bars, but since it's reasonably good weather, you'll have more luck at outdoor kind of place.