Chicago Restaurant Tips by deecat Top 5 Page for this destination

Chicago ALE HOUSE Bar & Grill: Slogan: "Great Place, Great Beer, Great Food"

On St. Patrick's Day Allan and I took our daughter Jill out for lunch. We let her select where we would have lunch relatively near her home. She chose "Chicago ALE HOUSE Bar and Grill. What a great selection.

The restaurant nearly empty at about two in the afternoon. They were preparing for the dinner crowd for St. Patrick's Day. They offered specials for this celebration. The regular menu is quite extensive with Appetizers; Salads and Soups; Sandwiches which include French Fries; Ale House Favorites [which include soup or salad]; Thai Favorites; Pasta; & Thin Crust Pizza.

The Ale House Favorites include: Chicken or Beef Kabab; Grilled Spicy Chicken with Limes, Roasted Duck, The Ale House Cut of Beek, Herb Crusted Salmon, Chicken or Beef Fajitas, Baby Back Ribs, 10 oz. Filet Mignon, or 12 oz New York Strip Steak.

It's a huge restaurant with open ceilings, lots of windows, a bar, and plenty of seating arrangement. The service that day was excellent, and the food was good.

Favorite Dish: For St. Patrick's Day, both Allan and I decided to order from the special menu.
Allan's meal was Cornbeef and cabbage with mashed potatoes and carrots [see photo #1]

I ordered a Cornbeef Sandwich with French Fries. [See photo #2] I could not eat but half of my sandwich and just a few of the French Fries. Allan took the meat out of my sandwich and ate it. He also had a few of my fries.

Jill and I shared a huge Chicago Ale House Salad which that divided into two plates. It consists of Fresh spring mix, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, onion, bleu cheese crumbles, and tomatoes tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette [house] dressing. We both LOVED it and cleaned our plates! [See photo #3 for picture of my portion of the salad]

Jill also had Calamari, which she enjoyed.

Photo # 4 is a picture of the outside of the restaurant. It's a fun place to eat, and Jill says that it is "kid friendly".

Address: 2200 West Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60025

Comparison: about average

Phone: (773)-275-2020

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Tre Kronor Swedish Restaurant: A little bit of Sweden in Chicago Tre Kronor Review

Saturday, November 14, 2009, my daughter Jill and I attended a VT Lunch at Tre Kronor Swedish Restaurant on Chicago's North Side [see photo #4]. Attending this VT meet [the brainchild of yooperprof {Chet}] was Dabs [Kristi] and her husband David; Marisola [Marie]; MJB123 [Martin]; Riorich55 [Rich] and his friend Roz,and, of course, Chet!

Photographs 2 and 4 show those in attendance minus me [deecat]

How fortunate for us that it was an absolutely beautiful November afternoon. I took the train from Libertyville to the Forest Glen station where my daughter and her family met me. We spent time across the street from the depot at the Tot Lot playground where I was able to visit with my grandchildren, Sabrina Dee and Brandon Allan.

After taking the children home [less that a mile away from the depot], Jill and I drove to Tre Kronor on West Foster. Fortunately, we were able to find a free parking spot right beside the restaurant.
We waited outside until most of the members had arrived. We were seated upstairs at a long table beside a front window with the bright November sun shining in to warm us.

Tre Kronor is a very basic restaurant with a small menu and offers breakfast at all times as well as a lunch and dinner menu.

The wait staff was quite efficient, helpful, and friendly. They accommodated all our numerous requests and let us order even before Chet arrive [a long ride on the Brown Line for him].

Favorite Dish: I love Swedish pancakes with lingon berries so that is what I ordered along with a delicious Cappuccino. See Photo #1 Two others ordered this also.

My daughter Jill ordered Baked Onion Soup and Crab Cakes [made with roasted red pepper sauce],and she was quite pleased See Photo #3 If I recall, Marie also had Crab Cakes and something else.

Roz and Kristi both ordered Vanilla and Orange French Toast which consisted of thick slices of "egg bread" with vanilla, orange, and cinnamon. It certainly was a large portion, but both finished their plates. Kristi told me that it was just OK.

Kristi's husband David seemed to enjoy his Reubenssen [made with cornbeef, sauerkraut and jarlsberg and served on limpa toast].

The Cappuccino and Swedish Coffee were good, and we were all so full that none of us ordered dessert.

The most fun for me was seeing all my VT friends, sharing this great time with my daughter, and meeting Roz [Rich's friend] for the first time.

Address: 3258 West Foster, Chicago, IL

Comparison: about average

Phone: 773-267-9888

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.swedishbistro.com

Ethel's Chocolate Lounge: Excellent "Time Out" on a Cold Chicago Day

ETHEL'S JUST CLOSED IN APRIL OF 2009! hOW SAD IS THAT?

While enjoying a February day with fellow VT members, we decided that we needed a break from all the walking and from the extremely cold weather. Thus, we chose Ethel's Chocolate Lounge located on Michigan Avenue. This is but one of several Ethel's Chocolate Lounges in the city.

This one is located in the front atrium of the Westfield Shoppingtown North Bridge. We were heading for Nordstrom's anyway, so this was the perfect spot.

The ambience is grand in that it has brightly colored furniture with soft cushions and private dividers that are concrete reliefs that look as though they came from the outside of a building. They all have reliefs of mythological tales.

Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday Through Saturday
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundaysj

Favorite Dish: We wanted something hot to drink. Robert ordered a freshly-brewed tall cup of coffee. His mother, Kristi, and I all wanted their delicious hot chocolate. With our drinks, we were able to select two pieces of their famous chocolate candies.

I chose candies that were dark chocolate with nuts and/or caramel. Yum!

We sat near the back in our private setting in front of a huge window looking out on the city. What a wonderful way to spend a "time-out" with terrific VT friends, decadent hot chocolate, and free pieces of hand-crafted Ethel's Chocolates!

Address: 520 North Michigan Avenue

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 312-464-9330

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Dessert

Website: http://www.ethelschocolate.com

Saloon Steak House: Little Known Steak House

For a very special 44th Wedding Anniversary on August 10, 2007, Allan and I agreed to eat at the Seneca Hotel's Restaurant called "Saloon Steakhouse". What an excellent decision we made!

First of all, we just took the elevator from our 17th floor room down to the Lobby of our hotel, walked a few feet inside, opened the side door, walked up about 6 steps, and we were inside the restaurant.

We were seated in a room where there was only one small table; the rest were large groups of people. It was somewhat loud, but it only added to our festive mood.

.

Favorite Dish: First, we ordered drinks: Allan had a red wine, and I ordered a Reisling. Both of these wines were outstanding. They brought warm bread with whipped butter to the table. I usually don't eat either bread or butter; however, we were starving from all the walking we had shared that day. The bread was just wonderful, and we each had three pieces!

A crisp, fresh salad came with our meal, and we both ordered blue cheese dressing, which was above par, indeed.

Allan ordered a 10 ounce Prime Rib with a horseradish glaze, and I ordered a filet with a blue cheese topping. We both "raved about our steaks and cleaned our plates.

Then, of course, we had desserts! I ordered a decadent pecan pie that had chocolate and caramel dripped over it; Allan had a Peach dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. We also had delicious coffee. [By the way, our delightful waitress placed a lit candle in my piece of pecan pie in honor of our anniversary!]
Allan ended the night with a sipping liquor.*

Address: 200 East Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Located inside the Seneca Hotel

Phone: 1(312) 266-4500

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: Steakhouse

Chaihanna: A Trip to Buffalo Grove

When Chet [yooperprof] asked me to join other Vt's to try a Uzbekistan restaurant in suburban Buffalo Grove, I was eager to say yes. It had been such a long time since I had seen Chet and Kristi [Dabs], and since I had never been to a Uzbek Restaurant, I figured it would be a double treat.

It was only about an half an hour drive for me, so I was pleased. On Sunday, March 1, 2009, I set out to try my first bit of Uzbekistan food. I was the first one there, just as the restaurant was opening at 1:00 p.m. The young waiter sat me at a table for six [as I requested], and I commenced to read the interesting menu. I then saw another woman waiting and asked her if she was involved in the VT lunch. Even though Laura is not a member of VT, she was here as Kristi's guest [they went to high school together and had not seen each other since Kristi's wedding 20 years ago!]

Shortly thereafter, Kristi [Dabs} and her husband David arrived. Chet was the last to arrive.

Even though the outside of this exotic restaurant is a letdown [located in a Suburban Strip Mall], the inside is charming with its lovely murals {See Photo#2} on the walls, Uzbek silk hanging in the windows, and the eating platform in the back of the room. I was enchanted by the beautiful Uzbek dishware in Blue and white and gold trim [See photos #2,3,4,5] .The white tablecloth/napkins, the traditional music, as well as the waiter with his silk sash added to the cultural ambience.

The menu offers cold and hot appetizers, salads, soups, main entrees, and desserts. Too bad that I had begun a diet a week ago, or I would have "pigged out" on the yummy desserts!

The young waiter was very patient, describing the choices and answering all of our many questions.

Favorite Dish: Since I was on a strict diet, I ordered from the Salads Selection: "Chakarap" [fine sliced tomato with fine sliced onion] for $5.50 and from the Soups: "Shurpa Beef" [Meat Broth With Vegetables] $6.25 [See Photo #3]

Fortunately, the others had free reign with the Menu: Chet ordered Soup, Blintzes, and a Napoleon for dessert {see Photo #1}.

Laura had "Chicken Tabaka" [half of chicken fried under press with garlic sauce] and Napoleon for dessert.

Kristi had the hot appetizer called "Samsa [baked small pie stuffed with meat"] (see Photo #4), "Minced Kebab" [skewered minced ground beef], and Homemade Chocolate Sour Cream Cake {see Photo #5}.

David enjoyed his delicious-looking Chicken Kebab, fried potatoes, and two desserts:"Chak-Chak" [fried dough covered in honey] and Smetannik in a small pastry shell shaped as a Walnut and filled with what looked like caramel. [Photo #5]

I did taste the inside of the Smetannik, and it was yummy. Kristi and David also tried the"Lepeshka [Uzbek bread].

All in all, it was a good experience which I would have enjoyed so much more if I had not been on the strict diet.

Address: 19 East Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove, IL

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: (847) 215-5044

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Other

Rosebud on Taylor Street: A Big Disappointment Rosebud Review

It had been 20 years since I had been to Rosebud on Taylor Street in Little Italy. Both Allan and I were excited to show our guest Rosie [rozehill] some good Italian food in Chicago.

Well, to our shock, it was a disappointing experience. Rosie was visiting us from New Zealand, and she and I were spending 2 1/2 days in Chicago. It was our last night in town, and my husband Allan surprised us by driving into the city to take us out to dinner. We selected Rosebud on Taylor Street in Little Italy because we had such fond memories of our previous visits. We were apprehensive about the huge helpings since we could not take any "doggie bags" with us.

First off, the place was almost deserted on a Thursday night at about nine. When we walked inside, there was a mild odor of mildew, which upset me right then. We were seated and given a menu. Rosie is a big fan of Italian food and really wanted some good LASAGNA. She was pleased that it was on the menu. So, we began to order.

Favorite Dish: Rosie decided to try the Lasagna, and Allan and I ordered to share a Beef Fillet in a mushroom sauce. [We knew that the portions were huge, so the three of us would share the two orders]. All three of us ordered a house salad. The salad was good but not terrific. I must say that the salad dressing was quite tasty. The bread was really excellent, and we made "short order" of it, dipping it in an excellent extra virgin olive oil and Parmesan cheese.

When the main meal arrived, both orders were huge as we had anticipated. The Fillet was truly wonderful; however, the Lasagna had to be sent back and heated because it was cool. That was an indication that it was not fresh, but frozen. What a disappointment. When it came back hot, it was better but not good. I did not even eat mine. Rosie did eat hers, but it was obvious that she was not at all pleased. Allan is a guy who eats everything, but he thought that the Lasagna was just fair.

I would never return, but I would go to the Rosebud on Rush.

Address: 1500 W. Tayor St.

Comparison: about average

Phone: 312-942-1117

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 2

Theme: Italian

Website: http://www.rosebudrestaurants.com

Giordano's: Just Around the Corner From Our Hotel Giordano's Review

The first day that Rosie and I spent in Chicago, we went non-stop. It was nine at night, and we still had not eaten dinner. We were too tired to get dressed up and go for a long distance away; thus, we chose a place within a short walk of our hotel. One item that I wanted Rosie to try was a Chicago favorite, Deep Dish Pizza. Although Giordano's Pizza would not be my first choice in Chicago, it was convenient and good.

We walked to the restaurant, which was crowded for this late on a Wednesday night. It was typical Giordano's with the checkered table clothes. We were seated and attended to immediately.

Besides a pizza, we decided to have house salads as well. The salads were good, but not special. At least they were fresh, crisp, and cold.

Then we had to decide what kind of Deep Dish Pizza we wanted to share. We knew that we did not want left overs since we were staying in a hotel. Thus, we ordered the SMALL size. We both like olives so we chose a cheese and olive pizza. It was a very good choice, and we ate all of it but one piece, which we left behind [I must admit that this was the first time I've ever left pizza].

Rosie was impressed; she was amazed at the amount of cheese that the deep dish pizza has on it...that's the part that makes it so good. All-in-all, it was a successful meal, but not the excellent one that I had in mind to introduce Rosie to a Chicago favorite, Deep Dish Pizza

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Pizza

Aria Restaurant at Fairmont Hotel: What a Breakfast Buffet

When checking into the Fairmont Chicago Hotel, I learned that our room rate for our suite included breakfast. I figured it would be a typical breakfast in a hotel; more like a continental breakfast. How wrong I was.

First of all, the breakfast was located in the lovely Aria Restaurant. We could order anything that we wanted, even the expensive Breakfast Buffet.

The Restaurant is ultra modern with glass, wood, and sheer fabrics. We were seated toward the back of the restaurant, which we desired. I sat on the "booth" side of the table. I must admit that the seat was a bit low for me, but remember that I am quite short. The attention to detail was evident from the start. Service is of the highest quality.

The menu is extensive and includes almost any item that one would want for breakfast.
The restaurant is famous for using the freshest ingredients, which was quite evident upon tasting the food.

Favorite Dish: Both Rosie and I decided to order the Breakfast Buffet, after we perused the Buffet room and saw the excellent selections. The first thing that we ordered was the orange juice. It was the most delicious orange juice that I've had ever...freshly squeezed with real pulp, nice and cool, and served in a lovely tall glass. Next, Rosie ordered coffee, and I order a Cappuccino. What excellent coffee drinks they were.

The Buffet outdid my wildest dreams. The fruit was remarkable...organic, fresh, and with so many choices. I had the fresh pineapple, huge blackberries, strawberries, raspberries. and melons. Yum & Yum again! I also was thrilled with the choices for pastries. I thought that the oat muffin with raisins and nuts was "out of this world". {I must admit that I had two}

There were hot dishes of bacon, turkey sausage, pork sausage, two kinds of scrambled eggs, potatoes, hot oatmeal, etc. Of course there were dry cereals, but I was particularly fond of the homemade granola with fruits and nuts and a glaze of honey. I enjoyed it so much that I asked the waiter if it was made in house. Yes, it was, as is everything.

Address: 200 North Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois

Comparison: more expensive than average

Other Contact: e-Mail: Chicago@fairmont.com

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 5

Theme: American

Caffe Baci [South Michigan Avenue]: Quick, Inexpensive, & Good Food

Mickey and I had been walking for miles on a beautiful September morning in Chicago, and we wanted to sit down and eat something light, inexpensive, and with quick service. The perfect solution was the cafeteria-style Caffe Baci on South Michigan Avenue. Since it was so nice outside we ate alfresco.

You walk into this attractive room that is quite organized and looks more like an expensive restaurant than a cafeteria-style chain restaurant. We stood back and looked at the overhead menu and also observed what most people were selecting. The menu consists of all kinds of coffee drinks, paninis, salads, soups, and hot entrees. They also have breakfast items if it's before 10:30 a.m.

We wanted to share because we planned to eat later in the afternoon.

They have an area where salads are custom made, a custom made sandwich/panini area, a dessert area, and a coffee area. We agreed to share a salad [they are huge].

Favorite Dish: We decided to try one of the most popular salads called a Walnut Apple Salad for $5.99. Mickey wanted to add chicken so we ordered it on the side. The salad is made up of mixed green, cranberries, apple slices, walnuts, crumbled blue cheese, and a creamy balsamic dressing. When I say that it is huge, I mean it. We also ordered a bowl of mixed green and black olives since we both adore olives.

See the photograph of Mickey in front of the salad, and you will see what I mean.

We both ordered diet cokes, and I had to go to the coffee bar and ask for slices of lemon because I always have slices of lemon in my cola drink.

The salad was absolutely delicious and more than enough for two people. We have no idea how one person could eat that much.

I paid $7.00, and Mickey paid $8.00 [because of the added chicken], and that included tax.

As you can tell from the photograph, we ate outside under an umbrella and watched all the activity along Michigan Avenue.

Address: 332 S. Michigan Avenue

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: 312-322-2109

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

ENO: The Big Three: Cheese, Wine, Chocolate

My husband Allan had taken our daughter to this unique Wine Bar about a year ago, so when Mickey and I went to Chicago, we decided to try it, even though we had been warned that it is quite EXPENSIVE.

It does not open until four in the afternoon, and we were some of the first people to be seated. We chose a table that looked out on Michigan Avenue. It was a beautiful day, and the people watching was at its best!

The decor is made up of shades of mocha, ochre, and oxblood red. It is not fancy; rather, it appeared rather rustic. It reminded me of a wine cellar really.

There were glass-enclosed wine racks all around. They say that there are over 5,000 bottles in those racks. Immediately we were offered menues....they only display three of my favorites:
Cheeses, wines, and chocolates [chocolates are in a different menu]. They have 700 varieties of wine that are available by the bottle, glass or flight [three small portions of wine rather than a class of wine].

They offer 35 types of cheeses, both domestic and international. You can have individual slices or flights [3 different kinds of cheese in small amounts]

The cheese comes with dried fruit, honey, and nuts.

The CHOCOLATE menu changes frequently and consists of chocolate bars and truffles that are hand-crafted by local and regional chocolatiers. They can be single servings or flights [3 different chocolates]

Our waitress was quite well versed and educated us on their system of service and what cheese and candy went with our wine choices.

Favorite Dish: Mickey loves PORTS so she, with the help of the waitress, selected three different ports. I like white wine and after tasting two different whites ended up selecting a German Reisling.

With more help, we did a flight of cheeses: one Blue Cheese, an aged Gouda, and another light cheese that tasted similar to Swiss [without the holes]. I liked the Gouda best, and then the light cheese; I felt that the blue that she helped us match with our drinks was too overpowering.

The chocolates were a cherry-infused dark chocolate, another creamy dark chocolate, and a milk chocolate toffee bar. I personally thought that the Toffee Bar was best, even though I prefer dark chocolate. Three small pieces of candy for two people was quite a disappointment.

I'm glad we experienced this, but I would not do it again because it is too expensive for the small amount you are given.

They are open Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.. On Sunday they are open from 1 p.m. until 10 a.m.

Address: North Michigan Avenue

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Located in teh InterContinental Chicago Hotel

Phone: 312-321-6738

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: Other