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nr706

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Posts posted by nr706

  1. I'm going to be in Chicago in early May, staying at the Hilton (at 198 East Delaware Place).  Never been before but really looking forward to the experience.  I know these questions have been asked a million times before, but I thought I might get some new and location-specific advice:

    1. Where's the best place near the Mile to get Chicago pizza?  Hot dogs?  Italian beef?  I know these are stereotypical but I don't think I could leave without sampling them.

    2. What's the weather going to be like?  Roasting hot already?

    3. What's the/a typical Chicago breakfast item?  E.g. in Montreal, a bagel.  If there is such an item, where would I procure it?  If not, what's a good place to visit?  Hotel breakfasts are uniformly boring.

    4. Likewise for my morning coffee.  (Are there lunch counter type places still in Chicago, like in Toronto?  If so, one with good coffee would be a bonus, as I love the long counter and the stools...)

    I think that's it.  Feel free to add useful advice or suggestions which, in my ignorance or negligence, I have failed to ask about!

    Chicago is a city of neighborhoods - your best bet is get out of downtown, for interesting, non-expense account places. Try this list as a start:

    http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=226392#p226392

    For specific recommendations, try Pizzeria Uno or Pizzeria Due for quintessential deep-dish pizza - both are close to Michigan Avenue.

    On Sunday morning, don't miss the Maxwell Street Market at Des Plaines and Roosevelt. Some say the regional Mexican street food there is better than you'll get in Mexico.

    Really, no traditional breakfast item, but if you see a place offering Intelligentsia, Metropolis or Casteel Coffee, you'll be well-served.

    We hope you'll have a great time here!

  2. Burt's Place, the quirky pizzeria featured on the cover of Saveur magazine, and soon to be on Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, is open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Eve (call to place order before visiting). Also, Wiener and Still Champion, scheduled to be on Diners, Drives and Dumpsters (or whatever that show is called) in January, is open through mid-afternoon Christmas Eve.

    Burt's Place

    8541 N. Ferris

    Morton Grove

    (847) 965-7997

    Wiener and Still Champion

    802 W. Dempster

    Evanston, IL 60202

    847-869-0100

  3. Was DaleJ asking about the meat-oriented Custom House, in the Morton Hotel, or the seafood-oriented C-House, in the Affinia Hotel? The similarity in names is confusing, but I'm guessing it's the latter, which I haven't been to, but I've heard good things, except for priciness.

    (I like the new avatar, Ken.)

  4. As Ron mentioned, I'm a huge fan of Hae Woon Dae. It's a bit smaller than San Soo Gab San, and maybe a bit less discovered - so on weeknights, it's not uncommon to be able to get a private room. Meats are great, panchan is vast, and service is friendly. (And I'm not in the least bit biased because they have my picture - along with many others - on the bulletin board as you walk in.)

  5. Since you're in Northbrook. and it sounds like your companions aren't especially adventurous, you should seriously consider Prairie Grass Cafe. Two chefs with exceptional pedigrees have created a high-end casual place close to you.

    Ronnie Suburban posted a great review of their new spring menu here.

    It's possible to stay within your budget, depending upon how you order, although you may exceed it, too. If you do, just down the street, is a nice little classic Italian place which can bring your budget into line.

    Prairie Grass Cafe

    601 Skokie Blvd.

    Northbrook, IL 60062

    847-205-4433

    Francesco's Hole in the Wall

    254 Skokie Blvd.

    Northbrook, IL 60062

    847-272-0155

  6. Soul Vegetarian East (there is no West) down near the old Cabrini Greens area was the best vegan food I had ever had ...

    Soul Vegetarian East is in Chatham, nowhere near Cabrini Green, and quite a trip from Rosemont, but may be worth the trip. In the opposite direction, you'll find the very good all-vegetarian cuisine at Blind Faith. A short drive from Blind Faith is Life Vegan - but I know they were struggling - you may want to call to make sure they're still open.

    Also in that area is Lake Side Café, which has gotten good reviews for its vegetarian and vegan-friendly food. Somewhat similar is Alice and Friends, in Edgewater.

    Closer to downtown is the Karyn's empire (one raw food restaurant, one cooked food).

    In addition to what's been posted above, these should help begin to scratch the surface of vegan-friendly places around Chicago.

    Soul Vegetarian East

    205 E 75th St

    Chicago

    (773) 224-0104

    Blind Faith Cafe

    525 Dempster St

    Evanston

    847-328-6875

    Life Vegan

    1601 Simpson St

    Evanston

    847-869-6379

    Lake Side Cafe

    1418 W. Howard St

    Rogers Park - Chicago

    773-262-9503

    Alice and Friends

    5812 N. Broadway

    Chicago

    773-275-8797

    Karyn's Raw Vegan Gourmet Restaurant

    1901 North Halsted Street

    Chicago

    312.255.1590

    Karyn's Cooked

    738 North Wells Street

    Chicago

    312.587.1050

  7. If you'd prefer the North side, I've always been a fan of the dim sum at Furama. It's a big room, bustling with carts on Sunday mornings, and you can rub Buddha's belly after you ascend the stairs to the second floor space.

    It's thisclose to Little Vietnam.

    Furama

    4936 N. Broadway

    Chicago

    (773) 271-1161

  8. That was definitely our group along the windows on the east side of the restaurant. Despite the sketch of Ron in his posts, you may not have recognized him, because 1) he didn't have a camera with him, and 2) his back would have been turned to you.

    As far as Pampanga, I've been there several times. Very good lumpia and adobo dishes. I also like the kare-kare. Haven't been there recently, though. Now you've got me thinking I have to make it out for a Philippine meal soon.

  9. I have to say, while TVH was okay, I wasn't as wowed as I had hoped - mostly due to the service. My friend and I got there relatively early - 6:30 on a Saturday night, and we were seated right away. We told the server we'd be ordering drinks and food, so she left both menus. While my friend was in the rest room, I ordered the drinks (which were very good - I had the winter sazerac, she had tequila drink, I don't remember which one) and mentioned that we'd be having food, too, as soon as my friend got back. She got back, the drinks came, and the server left before we could get a word out about our food order. We spent the next hour trying in vain to get a server's attention (smiling, slightly waving without trying to be obnoxious, even saying "excuse me" a couple of times as a server walked past) so we could get some food into us before the 8:00 performance we were going to. Finally someone came by around 7:45, and we just asked for the check, since there was no time to place the food order.

    In retrospect, I suppose I could have gone up to the bar to place a food order, but we kept seeing servers come by, to other tables, so I remained hopeful that eventually we could get someone's attention.

    Maybe they just don't pay much attention to old people like us.

    As I said, there's no question the drinks were very good. I just wish the service was up to snuff. (Caveat - one visit, YMMV, etc.)

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