70th BDay Celebration -your top 5 fancy Chicago Restaurants

We have a dear friend who will be turning a very spry 70 in September. He has treated us to Le Francais, Charlie Trotter's, Les Nomades, Everest, etc. over the years. We would like to take him somewhere spectacular. Please tell us where you would take him, both if money were no object and more realistically, if money is an object but you would still go high-end. BTW, I just tried to get reservations at Goosefoot and they are already booked for our late September date.

Along the lines of Goosefoot, you could try El Ideas. There's always Alinea, which would make a nice addition to the places you mentioned.

We just had another outstanding dinner at Tru. As far as I'm concerned at the high end right now it's Alinea, then Tru, then everyone else.

Alinea or Spiaggia would seem fairly logical options that you don't list in addition to Tru. Maybe L2O.

If money were a consideration, but I was still after a fabulous meal, Naha would be my choice. I'd ask them to design a menu for the occasion.

Beyond the obvious choices, you may also wish to consider Elizabeth, the new restaurant of One Sister Iliana Regan. See this post and this website.

I would go to L20. I find it to be outstanding under Chef Matt Kirkley.

So, if there was an imaginary "spectacular-dining-experience-to-cost ratio", where would you go?

El Ideas, but only if your friend is comfortable with a slightly alternative dining experience. I find the food FAR superior to Goosefoot, love the BYO policy, and very much enjoy the uniquely intimate experience of interacting with the chefs. Service is attentive, perceptive and, yet, still informal. The decor is industrial minimalist, yet elegant. Just depends on what you are looking for. Sounds like Tru might be another terrific option--I've never had anything but exceptional food and service there. Can't say the same for Alinea...