Need suggestion for dinner after Chicago Marathon

I'll be staying in town (right there downtown on Michigan avenue) until Monday. I'd like to go somewhere for dinner on Sunday night. Haven't searched old threads here and can't search Hal's old thread to get the names of some places.

I'm big on ethnic food being vegetarian. Italian, Asian...greek, pretty much anything. I am also willing to taxi it to whereever. There may only be two of us so I don't need suggestions for a crowd.

Thanks, guys (and gals)

D

I need help here too as I am going to Chicago the weekend on 9/7 for my anniversary (I won't say how many years, but it is alot). We are staying at the Conrad Hotel on N. Rush (Hilton points). I haven't been to Chi-town since 2005 and I'm really looking forward to it.

In 2008, I went to Pizzeria Duo (probably not spelling it right as they seemed to pronounce it "doo-AY") under Scott Kalina's recommendation. Always heard about the 'pizza pie' and damned if it didn't have a pie crust. There was a line, but since it was just me, I got to sit at one of those postage stamp sized tables quickly.

I believe it was near Pizzeria Uno and not too far from the Chicago Hilton by taxi (5 minutes), but for me it was too far to walk after the marathon.

The Havana Restaurant http://www.havanachicago.com/ It's an easy walk downtown just north of the river on Clark St.

The wife & I were in Chicago a few weeks ago with friends. Never eaten at a Cuban place before but everything we ordered was incredible! Very good place. We may be going back this week!

If you like Greek food, there is the Greek neighborhood just west of the loop. There are a lot of Greek restaurants there, maybe go by the ratings to get a good one.

http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Greek+Town+Restaurants&find_loc=Chicago%2C+IL

A few good Italian restaurants are further into the city on the north side, you probably need reservations

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/2/12549/restaurant/Lake-View/Fiorentinos-Cucina-Italiana-Chicago

Greek Islands is awesome!

Dot - my wife is a big foodie. I'll forward this thread to her for some suggestions. I can never remember the names of the places we go....

Hey, Dave...any word on restaurants?

Dot - We went to Tavernita, The Purple Pig, and Takashi while we were in the city. Takashi is off the beaten path and really a "special occasion place" although on Sunday nights it is "noodles" only served family style Takashi was/is a chef on Top Chef masters. He also has a noodle restaurnat downtown somewhere called "The Slurping Turtle". Tavernita is a tapas restaurant that was trendy and fun, and The purple Pig is also a trendy restaurant right off Michigan AVe at Grand.

dot520 wrote:Hey, Dave...any word on restaurants?

Whoops. Getting on that now...

Michele "1L" Keane wrote:Dot - We went to Tavernita, The Purple Pig, and Takashi while we were in the city. Takashi is off the beaten path and really a "special occasion place" although on Sunday nights it is "noodles" only served family style Takashi was/is a chef on Top Chef masters. He also has a noodle restaurnat downtown somewhere called "The Slurping Turtle". Tavernita is a tapas restaurant that was trendy and fun, and The purple Pig is also a trendy restaurant right off Michigan AVe at Grand.

Tavernita and Purple Pig are both great. Takashi is in my hood. That's not off the beaten path!

Before I get Britt's suggestions, I'll also offer Girl and the Goat. Its run by Stephanie Izzard (also from Top Chef) and is phenomenal. The menu is small plates divided into 3 sections - meat, fish and vegetables. Reservations can be tough but you can eat at the bar or kitchen bar as well.

Zed 451 and Hub 51 are very trendy newer Chicago places. I would double check the menu for vegetarian options though.

For Italian, I love Quartino. Its another small plate menu so its set up to try a lot of different options.

Karens on Green is a very well-reviewed vegatarian and vegan restaurant that Britt loves and I enjoy as well.

Ok, I asked Britt for a Top5 list. I'll post when she emails me back.

Official Mrs. Dave-O suggestions:

1. Karens on Green
2. Girl and the Goat
3. Cafe Ba Ba Reeba (Spanish Tapas)
4. Mercadito (upscale Taqueria)
5. RPM Italian

Dot - I tried to get a reservation at Girl and the Goat and there was a month waiting list - so maybe if you do it now, you might get in.

Dave-O - well I couldn't walk to your hood from the Conrad Hotel, I had to take a cab (and I had heels on). Loved the area, though.

Thanks everyone. At this point, I'm eating at La Scarola on Friday night and will check out one of your suggestions for Sunday.

Mercat A La Planxa. Go with the tasting menu.

One of the top 3 meals I have ever had in my life. It's amazing.

Piece pizza is also my all-time favorite pizza, anywhere. The white pizza is absolutely amazing and the microbrews are good too. They routinely win awards for their microbrews. Unfortunately it's not walking distance from Michigan St. but it's a relatively inexpensive cab ride away.

I also vouch for Cafe Ba Ba Reeba, The Purple Pig and Quartino. Some of my favorite Chicago restaurants. Grab a Champagne cocktail at Pops for Champagne nearby or walk over to Guilt Bar for a great, craft cocktail after dinner.

All this talk of Chicago restaurants makes me miss that place. What a great city.