Our over night downtown (River North) was last night and we ate at:
Lunch-- Sunda-- was good, nothing really stood out. I had the shumai and asparagus-mushroom salad. The salad was an enormous plate of arugula with some pieces of asparagus and mushrooms, lightly dressed. Waaay to much arugula but otherwise good. My husband had bi bim bop, which he enjoyed. We didnt go too far outside our comfort zone on choices, and dont drink really, so we might be too square to appreciate this place. It wasnt packed and it wasnt too loud.
Dinner--Sable. very much enjoyed this dinner. Ate outside, which was pleasant. Had heirloom tomato salad, shrimp and grits, the duck thing, corn brulee, lobster roll, deviled egg. By far the best was the shrimp and grits, and the corn brulee. My husband wanted just another huge bowl of the shrimp and he wouldve been happy. The corn brulee is as good as you read on the posts-- really good and rich. Very good meal, and highly recommend. Not expensive either.
Breakfast--Eggsperience. Its breakfast. The portions were huge. The prices were high.
Lunch--Slurping Turtle. Also highly enjoyed. Had the duck fat fried chicken, seared big eye tuna salad, pork belly bincho, squid bincho, and spicy tuna don. Enjoyed all of it. Like this place overall alot more than Sunda. Definitely enjoyed the food more. Highlight for me was the big eye tuna. BONUS: walked outside to leave and there was Takashi himself. Was talking to the valets. Tried for a mixture of cool composure and gawpiness. Then he walked down the street. Highly recommend this place, and also not expensive.