hip upscale restaurant like blackbird

I can't get reservations at blackbird for the night I wanted. Are there any other cool, hip, design oriented restaurants like this in chicago?

Follia

I'm going more for coolness of room design and self-perceived hipness of crowd here than knockout cuisine, but have really enjoyed select meals at all of these, at or just under the Blackbird pricepoints, and within 15-20 minutes from West Randolph:

Opera:

http://www.opera-chicago.com/

Bluebird (opinions here vary, more designed for Belgian beer fans than food fans, but I find the room and atmosphere very appealing) and/or Hot Chocolate (next door):

http://www.bluebirdchicago.com/
http://www.hotchocolatechicago.com/

Meiji:*

http://www.meijirestaurant.com/

*Meiji is two doors down from Blackbird. I would of course propose board favorite Avec, but the average evening atmosphere is not conducive to really enjoying the room design, or conversation (though you didn't mention group size).

One sixtyblue:

http://www.onesixtyblue.com/default.htm

Cuatro:

http://www.cuatro-chicago.com/

Otom:

http://www.otomrestaurant.com/

I agree with the Follia suggestion as well. If you let us know if this was a couple-only event or a larger crowd, we can better focus suggestions.

it is a belated v-day dinner

Santander wrote:One sixtyblue:

http://www.onesixtyblue.com/default.htm

one sixtyblue is my favorite casual fine dining restaurant in the entire city! I've been there numerous times, and all the food is just spectacular, perhaps the only place whose food I consider significantly better than Blackbird (which is very good indeed, of course), a place where every menu item gives you that WOW feeling. I also like the layout there better; it's a lot more spacious than Blackbird, and you don't feel like you're right on top of the people at the next table. The decor is contemporary and, yes, cool and hip, with the few interior walls painted charcoal gray, and an open kitchen along one side of the main dining room. HIGHLY recommended.

How about Boka? Really good food, and definitely a cool interior. It's kind of a scene (the bar can get pretty lively), but the food holds up.

Boka
http://www.bokachicago.com
1729 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
(312) 337-6070

Spring, a former bath house in Wicker Park, falls squarely into this category and the fish-heavy menu certainly rivals Blackbird. Also, like Blackbird, it has a minimalist vibe with an unassuming touch of feng shui. Otom is a great space, too.

Although one sixtyblue's black truffle risotto was, without question, the best thing I ate in 2007 (not to mention the tremendous service), I found the design to be outdated and the overall atmosphere to be somewhat sterile. I'm sure it was "hip" a few years back and can only imagine how successful this restaurant would be if it moved a few buildings down Randolph to the former Saltus space. It would also be impossible to secure a reservation.

I sometimes think of Lula as the punk rock blackbird...
http://www.lulacafe.com/

jmc wrote:I sometimes think of Lula as the punk rock blackbird...
http://www.lulacafe.com/

I like Lula's banana creme pie. It is the best pie I have had anywhere in the City of Chicago. I also eat at Blackbird frequently. That having been said, I dont see many similarities between Blackbird and Lula. Punk rock? Maybe Alt-Country--they do have farm dinners iirc.

I love the austerity of the Blackbird space -- Lula defines chaos to me. The Banana Creme Pie is, however, nirvana.

I had a great meal at Sepia recently, which is just around the corner from Blackbird. The space is unique and hip. The menu is ambitious and well executed.
http://www.sepiachicago.com/

johnny wrote:I had a great meal at Sepia recently, which is just around the corner from Blackbird. The space is unique and hip. The menu is ambitious and well executed.
http://www.sepiachicago.com/

I agree that Sepia would be a great choice (as would the others mentioned above), but I am told by a friend who waits tables there that it's a tough get, reservation-wise, unless you want 5pm or after 9pm. But they do hold spots for walk-ins at their communal tables (long tables where you would most likely sit across from one another). As this is a V-Day dinner, that might not be what you're looking for, but it can be fun as well.

Whatever you decide upon, enjoy!

Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried reservations at one sixty blue and also sepia...but no such luck due I think to the busy post v-day dinner rush. I made back up reservations at Naha which is not a top choice, but it will have to do. I have never been, so will provide a full report after the jump!

Try Aigre Doux.

cuteheart1977 wrote:Thanks for all the suggestions. I tried reservations at one sixty blue and also sepia...but no such luck due I think to the busy post v-day dinner rush. I made back up reservations at Naha which is not a top choice, but it will have to do. I have never been, so will provide a full report after the jump!

Naha is wonderful, and you won't be disappointed! Oh, and I had lunch at Aigre Doux on Thursday - yum!

Thanks for all of your suggestions. I went to Naha and would rate my experience as a 5 on a scale of 1-10. There were some very nice parts of the evening.

I had

Tartare of Christmas Island Yellowfin Tuna,Cured Tasmanian Ocean Trout and Door County Golden Whitefish Caviar with a Mosaic of Vegetables, Nicoise Garnishes and Aigrelette Sauce

Which was beautiful and presented in a geometric pattern. Simply delicous.

For my Entree I had
Wild Alaskan Halibut, Black Trumpet Mushrooms and Parsley Root "Mousseline" with a "Fondant" of Butternut Squash, Spaghetti Squash, Rutabaga and Chervil

Which was unmemorable.

The service was seriously un-attentive, particularly at this price point.