River North Recommendation for out-of-town visiting foodie

Any recommendation for a out-of-town foodie for the River North area on business? Trying to find/read the reviews for restaurants in Chicago is a bit much. Thanks!

Welcome to LTH. You might want to try using the search feature and use 60610 which is the zip code for the River North area. In addition, if you could give us some more specifics (cuisine, budget etc) we can offer suggestions.

Thanks - I'm pretty open to the type of cuisine but open to American/Contemporary. The budget range can be up to the $35 range for entrees.

gafoodie wrote:Thanks - I'm pretty open to the type of cuisine but open to American/Contemporary. The budget range can be up to the $35 range for entrees.

Naha, Graham Elliot, Cafe des Architectes, Sable, and MK all meet your geographical, culinary, and financial parameters. And they're all really good too!

nsxtasy wrote:Naha, Graham Elliot, Cafe des Architectes, Sable, and MK all meet your geographical, culinary, and financial parameters. And they're all really good too!

I just ate at Naha for the first time last week. It had always been on my list to get to, but the Groupon finally got me there. We will be back. One of the best desserts I've tasted this year was their sundae of fire-roasted peaches, cherry syrup (house made), candied pecans ( I don't even like this nut) and bourbon ice cream ( I had vanilla). It was just wonderful.

Enjoy and/or provide more info as to what you are looking to try.

Purple Pig--great food, lots of fun. Just written up in Bon Appetit.

The Purple Pig
500 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312-464-1-PIG (744)
www.thepurplepigchicago.com

I work in RIver North and would definitely second the above suggestions with a particular cheer for Naha. If you are looking for more meals than the Contemp American dinner, consider the following for lunch or snacks:

Xoco - great afternoon snack option or breakfast from Rick Bayless

Sable - we lunch here often and always smile a lot - their $15 lunch special (soup or salad - the pea and asparagus soup is a winner - sandwich - try the blackened chicken - and two whoopie pies for desert is super ... esp with one of their flavoured ice teas) Also wonderful for a drink with bar tender from Chicago's favorite Violet Hour

Le Madia - pizza and more done very nicely for lunch and the hot olives are a must order.

I've eaten at Cafe des Architectes several times and have always been immensely impressed; those are the best dinners I've had at a contemporary American restaurant within the city limits in recent years, excluding super-expensive restaurants like Alinea. I've loved Chef Noguier's cooking at his various restaurants. And the room is very spacious and pleasant, part of the curved glass facade of the ultramodern Sofitel. It's also noteworthy for its relatively low prices, with their three-course prix fixe menu for $45 every night, and their three-course "neighborhood friends menu" for $32 Sundays through Tuesdays. Maybe that's not a concern for an expense account dinner, but it's great when I'm paying my way.

Those who have enjoyed dining at Atwood Cafe in the Loop in the past will be happy to hear that Sable has Chef Heather Terhune running the place, which is why she left Atwood.

Beware, the Purple Pig does not accept reservations and I've heard reports of lengthy waiting times for a table, even on weekdays. That would be a dealbreaker for a business dinner.

The poster didn't say "business dinner"--said "in town on business." When I travel for business, I particularly enjoy places where eating alone is easy and you can't get any easier than the mostly communal dining options at the Purple Pig.

If your out-of-towner likes high quality oysters, fresh crab, and great seafood in general and enjoys an "adult" and not too noisy atmosphere with a great old Chicago style decor, good wine list and good service, take him to Shaws 21 East Hubbard St.
If he likes very good steaks and side dishes prepared with flair, + great appetizers and cocktails, in a lively ambiance, take him to Keefer's 20 W. Kinzie st.

Thanks for all of your suggestions. Based on what people had suggested, we went to Cafe des Architectes. It was fantastic!