| Breakfast Suggestions in Chicago and vicinity |
- Best Brunch in Chicago - Epicurious: Bong
- Best Brunches in Chicago Four Seasons
- Best Brunches in Chicago: Wishbone 1001 W Washington Blvd 312-850-2663
- House of Blues Gospel Brunch 329 N. Dearborn St. 312-923-2000
- Jazz Brunch at Bistro 110 110 East Pearson Street Chicago
Bistro 110 is a celebrated restaurant, known for its culinary awards. The Sunday
brunch offers live Jazz and selections from the their a la carte menu
- Ann Sather's 929 W Belmont Ave Chicago, 773-348-2378
- Blind Faith Cafe, in lovely Evanston, IL. 847-328-6875 Repeatedly voted one of Chicago's top vegetarian restaurants, the Blind Faith Cafe offers an eclectic, international blend of wholesome cuisine to suit all lifestyles. See menu
- The Original Pancake House This is the chain that made pancakes a respectable
haute cuisine. There are more in the Chicago area then anywhere else. There
are four within Chicago proper and many more in surrounding townships. Within Illinois there are sweet sixteen! out of the ninety plus "Original" houses nation wide.
Forget the Waffle House, and forget Cracker Barrel. This is the real deal.
- Original Pancake House 153 Green Bay Road, Wilmette, IL 60091
(847) 251-6000 This is not supposed to be part of the Original Pancake House chain, although, strangely enough, it's listed on the Original Pancake House web site. This establishment is on everyone's favorite short list. But we don't know what to make of it, since we haven't been there yet to check it out. Sure looks like it's the same food as the chain provides to us.
- Lou Mitchell's 565 W. Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL 312-939-3131
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| Lunch Suggestions in Chicago |
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| Dinner Suggestions in Chicago |
- Ambria (French) 2300 N Lincoln Park West, Chicago, IL 773-472-5959.
Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Winner of the DiRona Award since 1992,
and a high Zagat rating. Too bad they don't really have web site where one can look over the menu, the wine list, and the prices.
- Arun's Restaurant 4156 North Kedzie Ave, Chicago (773) 539-1909
Thai food and even a fixed price 12 course dinner that allows you to "explore" what can be done when Thai recipes combine with an award winning chef (James Beard Foundation's Best Chef, Midwest). Of course, you won't be saving any money by ordering the dinner for one, because without tax and tip (or drinks) this fix price menu is $85. We think that in order to justify it, you'll have to remember that it will all be part of your culinary education. Regarded as an "unforgettable dining experience by DiRona, Wine Spectator, and, of course, the Zagat Survey.
- Carlos' of Highland Park 429 Temple Highland Park, IL
Somewhat of institution on the North Shore residents, and anyone else with a car within the Chicago area, Charley Trotter's restaurant is regarded as "world class." Plenty of other high flying complements (but it's hard to top "world class" which all of its many awards (through 2002) seem to echo. What it's best known for may or may not be your cup of tea: "Combination of Veal Loin and Veal Sweetbreads, Tournedos of Coriander Dusted Cervena Venison, and Mushroom and Marrow Encrusted Australian Filet Mignon."
- Crofton on Wells 535 North Wells 312-755-1790
The web site proclaims it's distinctive Zagat rating, although you find it in the "selective" Zagat edition (America's Top Restaurants). This very stylish restaurant, though not particularly intimate setting. It does evoke modern London in the 70s. It offers quite an amazing menu (including a fixed price menu, and some elegant vegetarian selections. The chef can also prepare a "tasting menu" but requires 24 hours notice. Closed Sundays.
- Coco Pazzo Cafe. Looking for some Italian cuisine in business casual setting? This authentic Tuscan restaurant and sidewalk cafe (also open for lunch Monday thru Friday) is known for pastas and pizzas and Florentine steak and ossobuco. It has a rustic charm and sports an open kitchen. Open daily for dinner.
- Everest 440 South LaSale Street Chicago 312-663-8920
This is another award winner, with A AAA Five Diamond award, The Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, and an a nearly "top" Zagat rating, it's clear that people come here a formal dinner served by a formal and knowledgeable staff. If you are looking to dress down, you wouldn't feel you were in the right place! Dinner starting at $80+ without tax, tip or drinks.
- The Pump Room. 550 North Franklin Street Chicago (312) 527-3718
Remembering that Chicago is a meat and potatoes city, you could be one of the folks who come to town looking for the classic Chicago steakhouse. Well, this has been it for over sixty years, my friends, so look no further. There are other things to eat here, of course, including chicken and seafood. However, vegetarians might certainly feel like a fish out of water.
- Gabriel's. 310 Green Bay Road Highwood Ave, Highwood. 847-433-0031
This French-Italian restaurant, which is naturally located not by happenstance on the North Shore, is the brain child and namesake of the ever talented Gabriel Viti who used to be the chef at the famous and highly rated Carlos'. It's no surprise that it Survey.
- Le Titi De Paris 1015 W. Dundee Rd. Arlington Heights 847-506-0222
Between Pierre Louis Pollin, Chef/Proprietor and Michael Robin Maddox (Ah, that brings back memories of Michael Robin of Southern France fame, but we don't know if there is any relation), there are too many accolades. This is REALLY a French menu so you have to be game! But check it out, and if you are looking for something French, this is certainly worth a close look. See sample menus online.
- Naha. 500N Clark Street (Illinois St.)
Nahabedian's Contemporary American cooking abounds with Californian and Mediterranean flavors is where one might go if one was tired of the same old same old and wanted a little breather the usual fare.
- NoMi Park Hyatt Chicago, 800 N. Michigan Avenue 312-239-4030. No doubt it's regarded as romantic because the view (set atop the lights of the city) make one want to take up permanent residence. French-Asian fusion is the name of the game from innovative chef Sandro Gamba.
Spanish Cuisine Tapas
- Ritz-Carlton Four Seasons Hotel 150 East Pearson St at Water Tower Place
312-266-1000. Everyone seems in agreement that this is a top-flight dining experience. And described as "Food orgy with a piano," this is also a likely candidate for Sunday brunch, when "elegance, not money is the object."
- Seasons .. The Four Seasons Chicago 120 E Delaware Place 312-280-2750
While we are on the subject of top rated food in Chicago where money is certainly less of concern than anything else, this hotel provides a similar kingly experience, and quite possibly the contender award for best spot to brunch too. What can one say if the expense account is kicking in the lion's share?
- Trio 1625 Hinman Avenue Evanston, 847.733.TRIO (8746)
Trio's aims are lofty and wonderful: "Through multi-course meals ranging from 7 to 25 courses, we take diners on a journey. Merging the sweet with the savory, favoring the gentle fusion of saccharine and salt, we have changed the way people view the classical menu progression. In a constant search for new ingredients and development of new techniques we explore the state of being of foodstuffs and how to manipulate them by way of structure, temperature, deconstruction, and reinvention. During these processes we pay special attention to the cerebral aspects of food such as memory, humor, and surprise as well as sensory perception by way of texture, sight, sound and aroma." Chef Grant Achatz has won the 2003 James Beard Foundation's Rising Star Chef Award, and Food & Wine has him one of America's "Best New Chefs." See menus here!
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| Sushi |
- Daruma Japanese Restaurant 2901 Central St Evanston, IL 60201.
- Heat 1507 N. Sedgwick (312) 597-9818
Quasi Vegetarians will difficulty with the fresh kill aspect (live fish in
tanks become your dinner here).
- Hey Sushi 2630 N Clark St Chicago, IL: (888) 871-8608
- Kamehachi 1400 N Wells St Chicago, IL: (312) 664-3663
- Mari Sushi. 2020 W Division St Chicago, IL Phone: (773) 862-8500
- Sushi Wabi 842 W Randolph St Chicago, IL: (312) 563-1224
- Tsunami 1160 N Dearborn St Chicago, IL (312) 642-9911
Have you ever asked yourself: How many sushi rolls can a person roll before
completely burning out? We have. This place has been a neighborhood tradition for more than 20 years! That's burnout and beyond. Hopefully the staff has turned over at least once. That's just too many rolls to imagine rolling. What do you suppose they dream of at night in their sleep?
Tuna is one of things you should exercise moderation with by the way. It's grand, we know, but don't over do how much you ingest. Remember, variety is the spice of life. Who said that, by the way? Does anyone know?
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Vegetarian and Vegan (and Veg Friendly)
Make no mistake. Chicago is a meat and potatoes town. |
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| Pizza |
Chicago Pizza is traditionally known as "Deep Dish" pizza, and gives real meaning
to the term "pizza pie." If you are a NYC pizza addict, you will have a lot of psychological work to do before being able to settle down with this (and be happy). Certainly unlike anything else in any other part of the pizza eating world. Well, that's not exactly true, come to think of it, because many of you will know Pizza Uno. Pizza Uno and Pizza Dueare reputed to be the birthplace of deep dish-pizza. So, if you've had that, you've got a handle on it.
- Gino's East multiple locations.
People go for the desserts, all made there.
- Giordanos multiple locations
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| Bakeries and Pastries, Cakes |
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| Coffee and cafes (and Tea) |
- Caribou Coffee Company (chain) 55 W Monroe St Chicago (312) 214-0852
- Intelligentsia Coffee 3123 N. Broadway, Chicago, (773)- 348-8058
Coffee roasted daily in vintage German roasters
- Kafein 621 Chicago Ave Evanston, (847) 491-1621
- Peets Coffee and Tea (chain) on Sheffield 1000 W North Ave Chicago
- Starbucks Coffee (chain)- North Clark 430 N Clark St Chicago
Roasters
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| Sweets and Ice Creams |
- Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream Ben & Jerry's 30 W Chicago Ave
- Hartigan's 924 Central St. Evanston, IL (847) 424-9999
- Oberweis Dairy 1528 W Fullerton Ave Chicago, IL (773) 665-2043
- Marly Chocolates 527 Davis Street Evanston, IL
- Nothing But Candy 743 Howard • Evanston, (847) 328 0652
- Piron - Belgian Chocolatier 509 Main St. • Evanston, (847) 864 5504
- Plush Horse 1230 S 86th Ave Palos Park, IL (708) 448-0550
- Directory of parlors ... such as Ben & Jerry's and Hagen Daz
- Margie's Candies 1960 N Western Avenue Chicago, (773) 384-1035
- Sugar & Spice Extraordinary Sweet Treats, Inc. 829 Foster Evanston
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| Evanston Restaurants |
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also see our USA Dining Guide |
