Last week in Chicago!

We are moving to Seattle in a couple of weeks and I'm trying to determine what to eat in our last week in Chicago.

I've got a few musts like Hot Dougs, Smoque and Honey Butter Fried Chicken (our favorites), but looking for any other ideas you may have.

We're super sad about leaving the food scene of Chicago, but excited about exploring all that Seattle can offer.

I'd say try to go to The Publican and/or Avec.

rehorn wrote:I'd say try to go to The Publican and/or Avec.

Definitely a good idea, you could also take that up to a full tour of Blackbird, Avec, Publican, PQM, and Big Star before you leave. Basically you shouldn't eat a single meal at home between now and the time you leave

I'd also suggest going to any and all places you've been trying to get to but haven't managed to yet. Do you have a list of places like that?

I'd suggest reviewing the GNR list and circling all of the places that trigger "I've always meant to get there but haven't yet" thoughts and using that as a starter set. I (finally) recently went to Cemitas Puebla and virtually smacked myself in the forehead for not having gone there sooner . . . it was in that category for me.

I think I'd try to get into Topolobampo or Frontera: there are not too many places in the country where you can get a Michelin starred meal at such reasonable prices.

Personally, I'd hit:
Al's beef on Taylor. Twice.
La Chaparrita. Twice. Maybe three times.
Not kidding.

On the other hand, skip any places in Chicago that are fish-centric. Given your destination, you'd be wasting your time. Also, as Seattle has 180 Vietnamese restaurants, 122 Japanese restaurants, and 128 Thai restaurants, not to mention the 200+ Chinese places, you can safely wait to introduce yourself to new Asian places.

The raw materials available at your average grocery stores are astounding, as well. I recall picking up foraged chanterelles for $5.99/lb, (!) and lively Dungeness crabs for $3.99/lb (!!) at the Queen Anne neighborhood Larry's Market. Cheap Washington state Sauvignon Blanc, too, and excellent Cougar Gold cheese, to go with heirloom apples from Pike Place (which, IIRC, cost more than the 'shrooms).

It's a wondrous city. You will enjoy it immensely - unless it snows. You have NEVER seen drivers freak out over snow to the extent they do in Seattle, even though Mt. Rainier is covered with it all year round. Go figure.

(And GO SEAHAWKS! )