Chicago Restaurant Tips by Martman

Restaurant Name: Lao Sze Chuan

This is an excellent Chinese Restaurant. I am delighted that my friends brought me here. My meal was extremely tasty. I would not have believed it as this restaurant is tucked away in a plaza, away from view. I think my friends knew what they were doing when they chose this place and knew where to find it. If I visit Chicago again, I would love to visit this excellent restaurant again.


Favorite Dish: I had chicken but forgot what chicken specifically.

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 312.326.5040
Address: 2172 S. Archeer Ave. Chicago, IL 60616
Directions: Chinatown

Restaurant Name: Pars Cove

This Persian restaurant is about 5 Km north of the city downtown. I have been there twice, once in a group of 2 and once in a group of 8. Both occasions I enjoyed my food.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 1-773-549-1515
Address: 435 . Diversey Pkwy Chicago IL, 60614
Website: http://parscove.com/
Other Contact: Parscove@hotmail.com

Restaurant Name: Laschet's Inn

Dave (VT username dlandt) introduced me to this interesting experience. Granted we only had starters. We each had steak tartar. I am not an expert, but believe this is a form of chopped raw steak. Whatever it is exactly, It was an experience for me that I enjoyed. Also, it was my first time in a German restaurant, which was also fun for me. I have no doubt that there must be German restaurants in Torono where I live, I am simply unaware of them. That is what made this so interesting for me! If and when I visit Chicago again, I would be more than happy to try this place too! Dave also did me the favour of letting me enjoy Chicago away from the downtown area, though we did not go too far!

Favorite Dish: I only had one dish, so that must be my favorite!

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Theme: Other
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 773-478-7915
Address: 2119 W Irving Park Road
Directions: Irving Park Road just east of Western
Website: http://www.laschetsinn.com/

Restaurant Name: Shamrock Club

This was a really nice club that Dave introduced me too. He is a really nice man and an excellent ambassador for VT! I believe the 3 of us, Dave, my friend who I stayed at and myself ahad a wonderful short time in this charming bar/restaurant.
Thank you Dave for reminding me the name for me after I returned to Toronto.

Click here to return to my VT CHICAGO HOMEPAGE.


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Theme: Pub/Brewery
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: (312) 321-9314
Address: 210 West Kinzie
Directions: Just north of the Merchandise Mart
El: Brown Line to Merchandise Mart

Restaurant Name: Oak Tree

It is not easy to give a thorough review, as I only had one visit here. I will say that in that one visit, I found the place excellent. I genuinely enyoyed my meal tremendously. My personal dish was the Chinese Chicken Salad. My friends' choices looked very tasty too. A really nice treat! I am very happy that my friends brought me here.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: in Bloomingdale Mall
Directions: Michigan Avenue opposite Hancock
900 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60611-1542

Restaurant Name: Cheesecake Factory

I originally expected this establishment to be overpriced and not great portions either, just because it is at the bottom of the John Hancock building i.e. a tourist trap.

MY THEORY WAS PROVEN TO BE COMPLETELY WRONG!

I have visited this restaurant twice. Both times, the meals were EXCELLENT. The meals were large and EXTREMELY TASTY, served with abundance of fresh bread. I do believe my excellent tasty meals were overpriced either. If I ever visit Chicago again, I will gladly return to this restaurant.

Favorite Dish: My first time here, I had a pizza, one of the tastiest pizzas I have ever had; EXCELLENT.
My second visit, I chose "Orange Chicken' which was also extremely good.

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Theme: Other
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 312-337-1101
Address: 875 N. Michigan Ave.
Directions: In the Bottom of the John Hancock Center
Website: http://www.thecheesecakefactory.com/locations_state.asp?st=IL

Restaurant Name: Flat Top Grill

Dining here is an interesting concept. There is a buffet spread of vegetarian dishes and some meats. You fill your plate and then leave it for the chef to cook. You insert color coded sticks for instructions e.g. "wholewheat only" or "have allergies" etc. You may go back as often as you wish. I found it fun experimenting and chosing a different combination of foods each time. I do not remember what I paid, so cannot put figures here. I do remember thinking that the value was very good.


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Theme: Health Food
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: Each branch has its own number
Address: 3200 N Southport
Directions: I visited this one: 319 W. North Ave. I originally thought there is only one. All the contact information I gave here was for that one. I subsequenlty realized that there are many. I suggest visiting their website to find the one nearest you!
Website: http://www.flattopgrill.com/

Restaurant Name: Kaoeneio

Great meal for $4.50! Thank you Dave for introducing me to this treat! We each had souvlaki.


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Theme: Other
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter

Restaurant Name: Celtic Crown

Dave (VT username dlandt) took me to this charming Irish pub. I enjoyed the atmosphere very much. I cannot write much as it was one quick visit. What I do know, is that if (or when) I visit Chicago again, I would gladly return.

After many requests, the pretty waitress finally agreed to pose for my camera!

Click here to return to my VT CHICAGO HOMEPAGE.


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Theme: Pub/Brewery
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 773-588-1110
Address: 4301 N. Western Ave
Website: www.celticcrown.com