Looking for a similair experience

My wife and I dined at Avec on Friday night. I really love this place, we had a fabulous meal. We had the citirus salad, majool dates stuffed with chirizo sausage, duck sausage and, pork shoulder with prunes and apricots (yummy). I reminded me of some places we've dined in Paris and Barcelona. Does Otom offer a similar experience (good food, inexpensive, laid back hip vibe, good value). Are there other restaurants you can recommend. Thanks

I recently went to A Mano, the new restaurant by the folks behind Bin 36 and also located at the House of Blues. I've eaten at Avec a lot, and really enjoy it, and I think there are similarities between the two. The concept is the same, though there are differences in execution.

A Mano also features small plates, cheeses and preserved/cured meats, small portions of pasta, some brick-oven pizzas, and wine by the carafe. The setting is quite different from Avec...it's big and loud, with plenty of room for the no-reservations drop in crowd that come with being attached to a big hotel.

I don't know that I'd call it hip, but it was a bit trendy of an atmosphere. It was certainly a relaxing setting, and my sister-in-law and I lingered through a carafe of wine, pizza, proscuitto, a couple salads, a pasta, two desserts and two dessert wines. We took our time and were probably there for 3 hours. We never felt rushed. I'd recommend it.

chgoeditor wrote:I recently went to A Mano... I've eaten at Avec a lot, and really enjoy it, and I think there are similarities between the two

I love Avec, however I am unwilling to endure the wait for a table on most (all) occasions. I also had the opportunity to eat lunch at A Mano a couple of weeks ago. I didnt report because I found it to be underwhelming.

The Pranzo in Piedi offered at lunch was kind of sad looking, several salads and a cold pasta dish for $14.00 did not excite. I opted for a Margherita Pizza and a salad consisting of baby dandelion greens and goat cheese. The Pizza was soggy and the salad was way over dressed. The whole experience was a very big meh.

Next time I am in the mood for this type of italianesque lunch while in the loop ill probably walk over to L'Appetito on Huron or Michigan. If i am looking for a blistery thin pizza, ill hit somewhere in west town like Crust or wait for dinner and go to Coalfire (not sure if coalfire has a lunch)

I did not find a Mano similiar to Avec in any way shape or form. Avec serves inspired, creative and perfectly executed food and I found A Mano to be a small step up from Soprafina.

Avec is kinda unique in Chicago. Maybe Anteprima (5316 N. Clark)-not ultra hip, but pretty hip. Nice bunch of small plates utilizing some of the "offbeat" stuff as Avec does.(tripe, gizzards) along with more mainstream choices. I think this place has hit it's stride-service is good and food is interesting.

I reminded me of some places we've dined in Paris and Barcelona. Does Otom offer a similar experience

If it's Barcelona you're looking for you might want to give Mercat a la planxa a try. I haven't been yet but it's high on my list. More here:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t= ... at++planxa