Chicago Restaurants

I know squat about vegetarian options or vegetarian restaurants. I have no idea how I ended up with so many vegetarian friends.

I eat MEAT!

Let's see, where have I eaten lately that is good? I don't know, I've sort have fallen into old favorites. Standard India on Belmont is pretty good for cheapo buffet indian food. No where near as good as the better places on Devon though. I've been dying to go to the Green Zebra.

I have a gift card to Lettuce Entertain You restaurants, which one should we go to (not necessarily tonight, but eventually)?

http://www.leye.com/restaurants/restaurants_index.htm

Everest seems to have the best rep of those.

Jesse applied at Ben Pao and seemed to think it wasn't very good.

My office ordered food from Tucci Benucci, which is more midrange, and it was very tasty, but standard Italian. No surprises.

I have a L.E.Y. gift card, too. Jeff is right about Everest having the best reputation, but I think that's also cuz it's $$$. I have heard good things about both Nacional 27 and Vong Thai Kitchen.

Maybe I've mentioned it before, but The Slow Food Guide to Chicago is something of a bible around our house. We speak of it in hushed, reverent tones.

I don't think so; that sounds really useful.

Amazingly so. The emphasis on organic and sustainable food is particularly noteworthy.

Knowing that I'll be in Chicago again soon, I'm already thinking about my three standard joints (the Mexican place by the Green Mill, Lawrence's Fishery, and Ashkenaz Deli downtown) and drooling, but I'd love to try some new placs.

I've discovered so much great food since I moved to West Town. The best:

1) West Town Tavern -- amazing, amazing, amazing. One of the top ten meals I've had in, say, the last five years. I had the lamb, but I tasted the duck confit and it was also bring-you-to-your-knees good. And the wine list! They know their wine, and pride themselves on providing the full, lengthy, orgasmic dining experience. Gets the coveted snail from the Slow Food people, which means they use only local and organic produce and meat. Not as expensive as you'd think.

2) Flo -- Fresh, bright Southwestern flavors color every dish.They make a wonderful tangy salsa that's more like a paste and comes with french bread before the meal, as if to say, "If you like butter, you'll love this." Killer brunch, which draws hip young crowds on weekend mornings. Eggs Flo is poached eggs on an English muffin with turkey, hollandaise sause, and asiago cheese. Perfection. Also don't miss the meatloaf. Or the Frito pie. That's right -- gourmet Frito pie. You'll be amazed what a difference black beans make.

3) Burger Baron -- I just discovered this tonight, and mentioned it on another thread. Really great hamburger. For $3.50, you get a half pound cheeseburger made to order (I like mine a little pink in the middle). The flavor is in the meat -- it's not overly seasoned, if it's seasoned at all, but it's still very good. That's a hard thing to pull off with ground beef.

where's "west town"?

It's kind of a huge area that encompasses Wicker Park and Ukranian Village and pretty much everything north of Grand, south of North Ave., east of Western and west of the Kennedy Expressway. I think. It's the official city community name, as opposed to the unofficial neighborhood name (i.e., Wicker Park).

last time i was in chicago, i went to some french place called tournesol. i dont know the name of the area, but its by the sulzer regional library. logan square maybe? but i dont know why im mentioning it because the food wasnt that good.

Lincoln Square. I've heard that's good!

oh it was alright. nothing remarkable. the decor looked kinda holiday inn dining room and the crowd was kinda corny. i still remember the restaurants i went to before prom. scoozi, bistro 110, spago

I found a printout of this thread in our kitchen drawer the other day and was flipping through it. It was such a nostalgia trip:
* amateurist posting regularly
* Kerry not being insane
* oops and jaymc figuring out they went to the same high school
* nabisco still in Chicago
* Me claiming Arturo's is at the corner of Western and...Ashland?
* Mr. Diamond

roffle.

How dare you call my link illegal??

I still don't get why Oops italicized "favorite" in the opening post.

from tribune.com:

Our experts reveal the city's unique foods, drinks, kitchenware and more

Our insiders: Bill Daley, Monica Eng, Renée Enna, Joe Gray, Carol Mighton Haddix, Judy Hevrdejs, Glenn Jeffers, Robin Mather Jenkins, Kevin Pang, Donna Pierce, Trine Tsouderos, Phil Vettel
Published April 10, 2007

Pssst. You. Yeah, you! Over here. So you're a culinary professional from outta town, eh? Hide the name tag and listen up. Here's the skinny on where to find some of the best ingredients, tools, wine, meals-and more!-in Chi-town.

We're happy 2,000 of you are here for the annual meeting of the International Association of Culinary Professionals. Whew, chewy title. But this guide ain't just for you teachers, chefs, cookbook authors, consultants, retailers, producers, journalists and food stylists who make up the membership.

Noooo.

It's for our readers, too, see? We want them to stash this guide away somewhere or download it to their hard drive. We want them to come back to it again and again because it's useful and fun and maybe, just maybe, there's something good they don't know about.

Like you don't know. So, get toddlin' and check out these spots that really make Chicago cook.

Superdawg Drive-in
Don't let the giant winking wienies on the roof scare you off. This tiny joint is as delicious as it is fun. Park in the lot, place your order and cheerful servers bring the food to you. Get the all-beef Superdawg dished up Chicago-style. It's a classic. 6363 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-763-0660.

Billy Goat
If you have a sense of deja vu when you visit the Billy Goat Tavern, maybe you remember the "cheeseborger-cheeseborger-no Pepsi-Coke" sketch from "Saturday Night Live." The haunt of journalists and other hard-drinking sorts, it remains a Chicago icon. Original location at 430 N. Michigan Ave., Lower Level, 312-222-1525.

Mr. Beef
Rinky-dink was never so charming. This River North eatery is renowned for two things. First, its Italian beef sandwiches, with a copious amount of thin beef in a doughy-yet-tasty French roll, and second, Jay Leno's on-air visit in 1996. 666 N. Orleans St., 312-337-8500.

Argo Tea
The tea isn't the only thing green at this local chain. With its mission of sustainability, Argo Tea brews up creative drinks like the Teapuccino (frothy milk with black, red or Earl Grey tea) and Pom Tea (pomegranate juice and red tea). 16 W. Randolph St., 312-553-1551.

Vanille Patisserie
Husband and wife Dimitri and Keli Fayard own this small jewel of a shop in the Clybourn Corridor. Quality French-style cakes, tarts and chocolates often change with the seasons and the croissants are some of the best in the city. 2229 N. Clybourn Ave., 773-868-4574.

Vosges Haut-Chocolat
Katrina Markoff's artisan truffle business opened here in 1998. Her exotic confections-paprika and dark chocolate, anyone?-have gained a nationwide audience, and lots of copycats. Chicago has two boutiques: 520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-644-9450; 951 W. Armitage Ave., 773-296-9866.

Pizzeria Uno
This venerable joint and its younger sibling, Pizzeria Due (619 N. Wabash Ave., 312-943-2400) is where Chicago-style deep-dish pizza began in 1943. 29 E. Ohio St., 312-321-1000.

Fox & Obel Food Market
Many of us happily pay a premium price here for the best quality exotic produce, cheese, seafood and prime beef. Take home one of the signature desserts or what many consider the city's best breads. 401 E. Illinois St., 312-410-7301

SWEETS FOR THE SWEET

La Patisserie P
Filipino breads, French pastries and Chinese buns, or bao, are among the many items in this tiny Argyle Street bakery. Fillings for the bao include red bean paste, curried beef paste, even a hot dog. 1050-52 W. Argyle St., 773-878-3226.

Bombon
Laura Cid-Perea and Luis Perea's bakery in the Pilsen neighborhood stays true to their heritage, meaning Mexican treats, but with a European influence. They have added cafes to their resume as well, including one in the Loop at 170 W. Washington St., with tamales and tortas galore. But it all started here. 1508 W. 18th St., 312-733-7788.

HOTTER-THAN-HOT CHEFS

Graham Elliot Bowles
The baby-faced chef at Avenues (in the Peninsula Chicago hotel) injects a playful streak in his serious, contemporary-American stylings. His idea of matching lamb to mint is to incorporate ground Altoids into a lamb jus. But grant him his flavor-matching excesses, and you'll have a superb, memorable meal. 108 E. Superior St., 312-573-6754.

Homaro Cantu
This mad scientist of a chef dabbles with new cooking vessels (including an insulated box that bakes fish before your eyes) and even cutlery (twisted-metal forks and knives that hold fresh herbs in place) in his restaurant Moto. His multiple-course tasting menus will alternately challenge, confuse and delight your senses. 945 W. Fulton Market, 312-491-0058.

Grant Achatz
Does Alinea's chef live up to the hype? Does this sleek restaurant live up to Gourmet Magazine's rating as best in the country? We think so. By the end of the 12-course meal ($175 per person, not including alcohol), which hopefully includes that perfect strip of bacon drizzled with a thyme-flavored Bread & Wine butterscotch, we predict you will too. 1723 N. Halsted St., 312-867-0110

TEATIME

TeaGschwendner

One of three cheery, bright shops in the Chicago area, this is a haven for tea enthusiasts who know their Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe First Grade Tea Leaves from their flowering Orange Pekoe. 1160 N. State St., 312-932-0639.

CHEESE, PLEASE

Pastoral Artisan Cheese
Everything you need for an impromptu picnic is here, from really good breads to the best cheeses. Pick up some charcuterie and vino, then hike to the lakefront for a memorable outing. 2945 N. Broadway, 773-472-4781.

The Cheese Stands Alone
Proprietors Matt and Sarah Parker love fine cheeses and delight in discussing the virtues of each type. At any given moment, the store offers about 100 varieties, most artisanal, from around the world. 4547 N. Western Ave., 773-293-3870.

GOURMET FOOD MARKET

Trotters to Go
If you can't afford the tab at his restaurant, take a trip to Lincoln Park and sample some of the fine prepared dishes at the takeout shop owned by chef Charlie Trotter (above). Choose from whole roasted chickens to beef tenderloin, soups to mini-chocolate cakes. Match them to a bottle of the wine that's also for sale and pick up some artisan condiments. 1337 W. Fullerton Ave., 773-868-6510.

CHICAGO ICONS

Al's #1 Italian Beef
Despite the restaurant's self-important name, Al's is an unpretentious red-and-white stand with tons of "greasy spoon" items,. Go for the Italian beef sandwiches. 169 W. Ontario St., 312-943-3222.

Portillo's
Sure it's a chain. All the more reason to celebrate the fact that locally owned Portillo's, with its 31 locations, serves a fine representation of two Chi-Town classics: the hot dog and Italian beef. 100 W. Ontario St., 312-587-8910.

GOING TO THE DOGS

Hot Doug's
Owner Doug Sohn calls his restaurant an "encased meat emporium" but habitues call it heaven. Way more than a hot dog stand, Hot Doug's is probably the only place in the city to get duck-fat fries (Fridays and Saturdays only). Grab a dog-of-your-choice, from Chicago-style to a wild game sausage. 3324 N. California Ave., 773-279-9950.

SPECIALTIES OF THE SHOP

Patel Brothers
Exotic whole spices and many other ingredients used in South Asian cooking can be found in this market, located on bustling Devon Avenue in the city's Far North Side. Look for black sesame seeds, whole cardamom, coriander, fenugreek, fennel and fresh curry leaves. 2610 W. Devon Ave., 773-262-7777.

Ta-Ze Olive Shop
Zip up to this small shop after perusing Nordstrom's massive shoe department. You'll find Turkish extra-virgin olive oils, vinegars, pomegranate glaze, olives, olive pastes, dips and more. 520 N. Michigan Ave., 312-527-2576.

The Spice House
Head to Old Town to stock up on fresh spices at this small shop filled with aromas of cinnamon, cloves and cumin. Check out the neighborhood blends created on the premise, including Bronzeville Rib Rub and Chicago Deep Dish Pizza mix. 1512 N. Wells St., 312-274-0378.

ETHNIC SHOPPING

Broadway Supermarket (Thaong Xa My A)
An emporium for all things Asian, from ducklings sold with head and feet attached, frozen scallion buns ready for the microwave, to jar after jar of red chili pastes. There are woks, cleavers, steamers and platters too. 4879 N. Broadway, 773-334-3838.

Five Continents
Think of it as an Asian Sam's Warehouse or Costco, and you have the idea. It's huge and the only place we've seen a five-pound bag of dried shiitake mushrooms. If you need ingredients for any Asian cuisine, start here. 4000 W. 40th St., 773-927-0100.

La Unica
Its name means "the only one" and for a long time this Central American/Cuban grocery was the only one in the city. Check out the fascinating grocery items, order some tostones (fried plantains) at the counter in back, then prowl the rest of this intriguing strip of Devon Avenue. 1515 W. Devon Ave., 773-274-7788.

KITCHENWARE/TABLETOP GEMS

Material Possessions
Unique tabletop items line the shelves and perch on antique tables and buffets, which also are for sale in this beautiful store. Many artisan serving dishes, plates, centerpieces, cutlery and linens are from France, Turkey, Asia and elsewhere. 704 N. Wabash Ave., 312-280-4885.

Northwestern Cutlery
Area chefs frequent this tiny shop looking for quality knives (Wusthof, Shun, Mac and more) and then return to have them professionally sharpened. Other cookware is packed into the two aisles, from professional-weight pans and cutting boards to cooking tools that include fish-bone tweezers. 810 W. Lake St., 312-421-3666.

PIZZA POWER

Spacca Napoli
Chicago may be known to the outside world for deep-dish pizza, but thin-crust, Neapolitan-style pizza is getting hot. This Ravenswood restaurant sports a wood-burning oven in which Old World pizzas cook in just 90 seconds. 1769 W. Sunnyside Ave., 773-878-2420.

Bella Bacino's
Chicago-style deep-dish pizza can be hefty, with tomato sauce, the toppings, a high-crust collar and a thick layer of cheese. Pies here are "stuffed," meaning an extra layer of crust (dough) has been added. But no fear: There's a "heart-healthy" pizza too. 75 E. Wacker Dr., 312-263-2350.

WINE AND WINE BARS

Pops for Champagne
More than 120 different sparkling wines are poured in this sleek two-level lounge, which features live jazz performances most nights. There's food, too, and a retail shop for take-home wine buys. 601 N. State St., 312-266-7677.

Juicy Wine Co.
This wine bar, lounge and retail shop boasts a well-edited wine list by owner Rodney Alex, from an inexpensive cabernet franc rosé sparkler to a cult fave, 2002 David Abreu Thorevilos Cabernet Sauvignon, about $470. Nibbles include cured meats, artisanal cheeses and olives. Take your wine to the cozy upstairs lounge. 694 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-492-6620.

Sam's Wines & Spirits
You can find most anything here at Chicago's largest wine store, from a split of J. Roget sparkling wine for 99 cents to a $1,300 bottle of 1978 Chateau Petrus. The huge warehouse space is made for exploring. 1720 N. Marcey St., 312-664-4394.

NEIGHBORHOOD NOSH

Argyle Street
This quarter-mile stretch between Broadway and Sheridan Road is home to many of the city's Vietnamese markets and restaurants. Point in any direction and you'll find restaurants that serve soothing beef pho noodles, banh xeo pancakes and banh mi sandwiches.

Pilsen/Little Village
South of the Loop is Pilsen and, farther west, Little Village, two vibrant Mexican neighborhoods with food shops, pushcarts, tortillerias and more. Head from 18th Street and the National Museum of Mexican Art (1852 W. 19th St., 312-738-1503) in Pilsen to 26th Street, the bustling heart of Little Village.

Chinatown
Chicago's Chinatown serves up a nice dose of Szechuan, Yunan, Northern and Shanghai fare along with the usual Cantonese dim sum, bakery, barbecue and treats. Its epicenter is at Wentworth Avenue and Cermak Road but much of the action also happens in nearby Chinatown Square mall on Archer Avenue.

RIBS/BARBECUE

Honey 1
A dining excursion here for ribs, rib tips or, better yet, a tips-and-link combo is all about authentic hickory-smoked flavors. Order a slab for takeout from Robert Adams Sr. or his son, Robert Adams Jr., or settle into the cafeteria-clean, family-friendly dining room. 2241 N. Western Ave., 773-227-5130.

Smoque
Grab some pals, hop into a cab and visit Smoque, one of the city's newest barbecue joints in the Northwest Side's Irving Park neighborhood. It's Memphis-style (dry rubs, semi-sweet sauces) but you can pick from St. Louis or baby back ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket or chicken. 3800 N. Pulaski Rd., 773-545-7427.

CAFFEINE FIX

Intelligentsia Coffee
The original in-house roaster is gone, but the comfortable, funky atmosphere remains in this neighborhood coffeeshop that launched a local empire. All the baristas are extensively trained and the coffee buyer travels the world for the best, locally roasted beans. 3123 N. Broadway, 773-348-8058. Or Loop locations: 53 W. Jackson Blvd. ; 53 and 55 E. Randolph St. (at Millennium Park).

Julius Meinl Coffeehouse
An Austrian coffee shop with table service and amazingly flaky pastries. Every order comes with a glass of water and a small square of milk chocolate on a little tray. Nice touch. Try the Melange, cappuccino-like but richer, with the topfenstrudel, a delicate pastry filled with sweetened farmer's cheese. 3601 N. Southport Ave., 773-868-1857.

IN NEED OF MORE DIRECTION?

'A Cook's Guide to Chicago'
Want to find an ethnic or any kind of food market not mentioned in this article? Turn to this guide by Marilyn Pocius, available in local bookstores, for all things culinary. (Lake Clairmont Press, $15.95).

Metromix
Tooting our own horn? You bet, because Tribune Co.'s Metromix Web site offers such a complete buffet of entertainment and dining options in Chicago and the suburbs-complete with the essentials (phone numbers, addresses and maps). metromix.com.

THESE SCHOOLS COOK

The Chopping Block
Offering a range of classes from knife skills to pastamaking to an intensive, weeklong "Culinary Boot Camp," this comprehensive school for home cooks boasts multiple classroom kitchens, gleaming commercial stoves and a retail shop. The Merchandise Mart, Kedzie Avenue and Wells Street, 312-644-6360.

French Pastry School
Pastry chefs Jacquy Pfeiffer and Sebastien Canonne founded this European-style pastry school in 1995. Now affiliated with the City Colleges of Chicago, the school offers professional programs that attract students from around the world. But amateurs can get in the act, too, courtesy of the Continuing Education program. 226 W. Jackson Blvd., 312-726-2419. Call in advance for a visit.

Kendall College School of Culinary Arts
Mentioned in the same breath as the nation's top culinary schools, this city campus boasts top-notch chef instructors, state-of-the-art commercial kitchen classrooms and media-enabled lecture facilities. The public dining room offers student-prepared culinary specialties and a skyline view. 900 N. North Branch St., 312-752-2328.

Getting around town

Most of the destinations here are a reasonable cab ride in and around downtown Chicago. Some, admittedly, are a bit far-flung for out-of-towners. For more help on getting around:

The Chicago Transportation Authority's Web site has a Trip Planner that details the specific bus and/or rail information you'll need to get from Point A to B…to Z:

transitchicago.com or 888-968-7282.

The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau also has a Web site: choosechicago.com.

Cabs are an option, though they're in abundant supply in some neighborhoods and at some times, difficult to find in others. Yellow Cab is one choice, 312-829-4222.

A free Navy Pier Trolley runs between Navy Pier and State Street; visit navypier.com. The City of Chicago adds additional trolley service in May. Visit cityofchicago.org.

Got your own insider's tips?

Send us your faves at ctc-goodeating.com and we'll print them in a future Good Eating edition.


Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

Do they still have that restaurant show on PBS -- the one where there are three guests, and they each pick a favorite restaurant, and everyone has to go to it and comment?

(I used to love that show, not just for the restaurant stuff, but for the weird interpersonal drama and defensive sniping that emerged. My favorite was when some young goof from Wicker Park chose Earwax of all places -- the old Earwax, even -- as his restaurant, and then when this older guy said he didn't like it, the Wicker Parker tried to imply it was somehow too hip and youthful of a neighborhood/place for him. Wicker Parker then got totally sonned by the older guy, who rattled off about a dozen lesser-known Wicker Park cafes and restaurants he liked better.)

you mean check please? yeah, one of jaymc's bandmates was on a couple of months ago.

P.S. Someone please find the thread where we talk about Amateurist ordering his "Fibonacci Salad."

xpost Yes, Check Please! Now with C4n4st4ns!

Plus Alpana is a babe