Avenues vs. trotter's vs. spiaggia?

My family and I are taking a trip to chicago in december, primarily for eating. We will be eating at Moto on our first night there. I also have reserations set at Trotter's for friday, but I am starting to waver on my decision.

We have never dined at avenues, trotter's, or spiaggia. From what I have read, I am afraid we may be slightly disappointed at Trotter's, especially the same week after eating at Moto (for the first time as well). We have eaten at TRU and Alinea which we greatly enjoyed. I am thinking Avenues would be more like TRU. Spiaggia seems like it would also be a good choice, though I haven't found many reviews. I think spiaggia might also be a bit more heartier/regular, fancy food that I know my father would appreciate more.

I appreciate any comments on these restaurants and deciding which might be different enough to not completely outshined by moto. Obviously these choices are far different than moto's scientific cuisine, but which one should we try? Thanks for the help.

If you are serious about American cuisine, and have never eaten at Trotter's, I think that should be your choice. You might possibly have a more pleasing meal at Spiaggia and you will probably have some more thrilling dishes at Avenues, but Trotter deserved and still deserves its place in American culinary history. I don't think that CT has slipped at all, it is just what used to startle is now taken for granted. Trotters matters in the way that Lutece, Chez Panisse, the French Laundry, Galatoire's, Norman's, or Spago matters.

I can appreciate what you are saying, but we get to chicago so rarely, and although I am sure that Trotter's would be very good, I would hate to have a meal that may not have some of the "wow factor" that we have become accustomed to at Alinea and TRU, thus leaving us wanting.

I think Spiaggia often gets ignored in the ballyhoo surrounding the newer and chicer gastro-theatrical venues. However, I have never heard of anybody having a disappointing experience there. I am not a big fine-dining aficionado, but I am a big fan of Chef Tony Mantuano. What he does within the constraints of the contemporary haute-Italian genre is innovative and consistently superb. Like Trotter, he applies a distinctly midwestern approach to his culinary province, utilizing the finest and freshest ingredients. The result is a distinctive style that is fairly traditional, yet uniquely Chicago. At Spiaggia, you won't experience lasers, edible menus or other space-age gimmickry, but you will experience artistic and masterfully prepared dishes presented with flawless service in sumptuous and visually stunning surroundings.

But then again, I like deep-fried Pizza-Puffs. So what do I know know?

I've eaten at both Trotter's at Spiaggia in the past year, and would recommend Trotter's over Spiaggia, which I found to be much more hit and miss - some dishes were lovely, and some merely OK at best.

jpo wrote:I've eaten at both Trotter's at Spiaggia in the past year, and would recommend Trotter's over Spiaggia

Then I would have to defer to your opinion. I should have noted it has been some time since I have eaten at Spiaggia, although in the past I always found it very enjoyable. It may be getting a little tired in its old age. Still, it is a beautiful venue, in an old school way.

I've had great meals at Spiaggia (although we were underwhelmed by the tasting menu) - but much as I love it, I think of it as "2nd tier," under the great places like Alinea, Tru and Avenues - more on a par with Blackbird, and Everest (I can only include places I've actually eaten at in these admitedly subjective categories).

If for some reason you think Trotter's may not be for you (I haven't been there in years, so I can't offer an opinion), I'd say go with Avenues. The food is superb, and would be a good counterpoint to your experience at Moto.

d4v3 wrote:Then I would have to defer to your opinion. I should have noted it has been some time since I have eaten at Spiaggia, although in the past I always found it very enjoyable. It may be getting a little tired in its old age. Still, it is a beautiful venue, in an old school way.

Dave,

I haven't been to Trotter's in quite a while, but had an incredible, memorable on all counts, meal at Spiaggia fairly recently. Not "tired" in the least. It looks like the bride and I will be going to Trotter's soon, as we were given a $150.00 gift certificate as a thank you from one of our nieces.

Back to the original posters question, Avenue's is a terrific, elegant experience not quite Moto cutting edge, but a not to be missed dining experience. Further advice to the OP, don't be so quick to discount GAF's input, he, more so than anyone I know, has dined, no, check that, intelligently, thoughtfully, reflectively, dined at many of the greats in NY, Chicago and points beyond. He has also graciously shared much of the experience with LTHForum in his incredible body of posts and on his personal blog, Veal Cheeks

Enjoy,
Gary

Enjoy,
Gary

Some additional recommended reading:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=84932#84932

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=94297#94297

I dined at Spiaggia just a few weeks ago, and it's not getting tired at all. In the hearty but fancy category you can't go wrong there. Also it's a perfect place for those parties with 'mixed' company (meaning serious foodies and those who are picky/less adventurous).

It's worth noting Spiaggia allows each person at the table to either choose ala carte or tasting menu. Many places at this level require the entire table to order the tasting menu.

When I had my so-so meal at Spiaggia, I had the tasting menu. I remember at the time thinking I might have done better to order off the regular menu. Of course, this was after the fact. But I agree with the other poster who called it a very good but "2nd tier" restaurant.

It's been a while since I've been to any of these restaurants. But unless something remarkable has happened to Charlie Trotter's cuisine or service, I would not take anyone there who wasn't an obsessive foodie. Trotter's is a formidable temple of gastronomy. If you're there to worship or study, and prepared to submit to the rigorous demands of its rituals, you may well enjoy it. But if you want to relax and eat a good meal and be catered to, this is not the place.

The dining room at Trotter's is hushed and plainly decorated -- so nothing interferes with your concentration on the food. The service is efficient and exacting, but stiff, and sometimes almost palpably tense. Servers focus on what the kitchen believes it should provide rather than on what you might want. You have a choice of three menus and no other options unless you claim at the outset to have a food allergy or a pronounced dislike for some food. Trotter, if he is on the premises, rarely interacts with diners but instead stands at the kitchen door, peering out owlishly as if he's counting the silverware.

Each course is small and complex. The dishes can be exquisite -- but you'd better pay attention to every bite. If you just swallow something without thinking about it, you've missed it! And if you really love it, well, you had those two bites and there isn't any more.

Laz, that's as perfect as a description as can be given about Trotter's. The complexity of some of the dishes, whether they meld exquisitely or not, demand studious attention.

jpo, that's how I felt at Spiaggia when I saw the tasting menu. I usually go with tastings, without question, but nothing appealed to me (I wish I had that menu in front of me, I'll have to post notes and pics when I get 'em together) while the regular menu had several things that created food lust and I had to have- the wood roasted scallop with guancale, neri spaghetti with scungilli, roasted guinea hen wrapped in pancetta and loaded with black truffles, all dishes I certainly don't need notes to remember.

The rest of the table had the tasting and enjoyed it tremendously, although they did the wine tasting with it, which I think the generosity of the pours added to the enjoyment of the night as much as the brilliant pairing might have.

Altho this might be obvious to everyone on this thread, but since it hasn't been mentioned and just so it is not overlooked by the OP (and it should be a consideration in his/her decision-making process) , Spiaggia is an Italian restaurant, one of the best there is IMO, but one whose quality, creativity, and experimentation should be seen within that framework.

LAZ wrote:Each course is small and complex. The dishes can be exquisite -- but you'd better pay attention to every bite. If you just swallow something without thinking about it, you've missed it! And if you really love it, well, you had those two bites and there isn't any more.

Oddly, there was a column in today's Sun-Times making many similar points.

Mary Mitchell wrote:After all, the average person isn't going to "get" Charlie Trotter's. And no matter how many courses he sends out, most guys are going to see all that white space on his plate, look at the bill, and curse all the way home.

It's not a particularly great article, but I had a feeling of deja vu reading it after reading LAZ's post earlier.

my family is going to chicago for a couple days in december. we have reservations at Moto and Green zebra, but are looking for a place for the last night of the trip. We have already been to TRU and Alinea. Schwa is full. we are saving Avenues and trotter's for another trip. So I thought we should consider spiaggia or everest. any comments? They are appreciated. Thank you.

babern38 wrote: we are saving Avenues and trotter's for another trip. So I thought we should consider spiaggia or everest. any comments?

Spiaggia and Everest are both great choices. Spiaggia is haute-Italian, and Everest is French with Alsatian overtones. We have loved Spiaggia, but our last meal there was a disappointment - we ordered the tasting menu, and simply didn't enjoy it as much as when we ordered a la carte. On the other hand, Everest has never disappointed - the food is simply wonderful. Spiaggia is a much more lush and romantic room (Everest's decor is sort of staid), but I would recommend Everest for their faultless food and service. Ask for a window seat - they will try to accomodate you if they can.

I have been reading all the reviews about spiaggia and it seems to be a common theme that people are less satisfied with the tasting menus. Any idea why this is? I have looked at the tasting menu on-line and I think it looks fabulous. Does it have to do with the very small portions people have mentioned or are these "small portion people" those who just not use to small, multi-plate dining? Thanks.