Suggestions for three days in Chicago

Hello LTHers - my fiancee and myself will be in Chicago for three days (Sunday through Tuesday) for a medical appointment, and are looking for some suggestions. We've done many of the two- and three-Michelin star restaurants over the years on various trips to the city, but this time, are looking to explore some of the ethnic cuisines we enjoy but have limited access to in our home city in Michigan.

With that being said, if you only had one place to stop at for the following cuisines, what would you recommend? We are going to be staying downtown, and are willing to walk big distances or take trains, but probably not willing to make any trips out of the city or any particularly meandering trips to the south side.

1.) Vietnamese

2.) A great spanish/tapas place

3.) A place with great oysters/raw bar selections

4.) A korean place

5.) A creative/authentic Mexican spot that's not part of the Bayless empire (we've been to all his places on prior trips)

6.) Any other can't miss suggestions outside these at a mid-level price point that may have cropped up in the past year since our last trip would also be great. She's loved Avec, Publican, Au Cheval in the past, so restaurants with that continental/homie feel are great.

Appreciate in advance your suggestions, and all the help LTH has provided over the years. The last time we were in Chicago I consulted you folks for a great restaurant recommendation to celebrate our engagement, and the consensus of Bavette's was just perfect.

One suggestion I have for the Spanish/tapas option would be Vera (www.verachicago.com). It is very train accessible and has a really nice ambiance and great small plates. Looking at their website, they seem to be closed on Sundays but would be open the other two nights that you are in town.

5.) A creative/authentic Mexican spot that's not part of the Bayless empire (we've been to all his places on prior trips)

Salpicon! in Old Town. Great food and service, and a truly fabulous wine list. I recommend it highly.

For raw bar and great food - and unusually interesting wine list, try The Kitchen. Super food and service, lovely design ... Trioffe with Bolognese is a dish I dream of but so are all the rest ... and they have Scholium Project Gardens of Babylon by the glass.

Since you mention "continental/homie" feel, I'll also suggest Bohemian House - with the caveat that I am biased since my daughter cook on the line there. They are doing amazingly good eastern european taking to a whole new level and are really worth a visit. They import some interesting beers btw - and the beef cheek pierogi with roasted carrots is one of my all time favorite dishes.

I'll be curious to see what else gets suggested.

Vietnamese - Nha Hang Viet Nam on Argyle, easily accessed via Red Line to Argyle

Spanish - Vera . . . do they still have their oyster special Monday? Two birds, one stone. MFK on Diversey also solid for Spanish & seafood, though a bit of a walk once you get off the Brown Line at Diversey.

Korean - San Soo Gab San and Cho Sun Ok are both very good, accessible from the Western Ave. Brown Line stop (CSO a little closer and I prefer it to SSGS a little bit). This is a little bit of a longer ride from downtown, in the Lincoln Square neighborhood. Then there's Parachute which is more Korean-ish and upscale and may be a little less convenient. You'd need to take Red or Brown Line to Addison, take the Addison bus west to Elston, and walk a couple of minutes.

I always put one of the many great Thai restaurants on my recommendations to visitors - Andy's, Aroy, Rainbow, Rosded, In-On Thai . . . all very close to L stops.

For a good raw bar outside of the typical seafood-focused places (Shaw's, GT Fish and Oyster, etc.), would suggest either Nico Osteria or Publican. Good cooked options at both as well. Both close to "downtown" (whatever that means these days).

It seems that http://www.cafeiberico.com/ would be fairly close to you-perhaps a short cab ride away. It's usually pretty crowded but the food justifies it.

Please report back with where you enjoyed or did not. Thanks!

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