Top Fine Dining in Chicago

OK, I'm going to admit this from the outset- my purpose for starting this thread is twofold- one- I need a place to take my fiancee for our one year celebration and -two- I'm hoping to stir up a bit of combined discussion regarding the merits or demerits of various fine dining locations located within the city of Chicago.

for us Moto and Alinea are out for this one time (engaged at Moto just a couple of months ago and Alinea was a one time experience for us)

Everest - out because of our mediocre experience there last week, poor fine dining service IMHO. Food was just ok, nothing to write home about.

Avenues - we still haven't been to Avenues and I keep hearing raves about it, this might be a place.

Nomi - we thought our meal there on 1/1/07 was actually quite stunning. We've eaten on the terrace about 4 times this year, but would consider going back to the dining room for dinner.

I know I'm missing a bunch, so clue me in

Budget isn't a concern whatsoever for this dinner, nor is corkage (we'll be having a bottle of 00 Roederer Cristal Brut after dinner (at home) I've been saving for this)

If I had to name the very top fine dining splurge type places in Chicago, they would include the five you named, along with Schwa, Tru, Charlie Trotter's, and Spiaggia.

I suggest going to any of these places you haven't been to. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

nsxtasy wrote:If I had to name the very top fine dining splurge type places in Chicago, they would include the five you named, along with Schwa, Tru, Charlie Trotter's, and Spiaggia.

I suggest going to any of these places you haven't been to. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

I've been to trotters and spiaggia both out of these. Spiaggia was good, but I know this is going to sound odd, but I didn't consider it to be a truly fine dining experience- a very very good experience, but price alone does not fine dining make. Trotters was truly underwhelming. Tru could be in.

If you liked your experiences at Moto and Alinea but don't want to do the exact same thing, Avenues seems the obvious next one.

I agree with Mike. Avenues is your best bet.

Another vote for Avenues.

The food there has some of the same touches you see in Alinea, but is a bit more conventional. In my mind, Avenues is a combination of Alinea/Charlie Trotter's. I've gone about four times, and have been thrilled each time. The wine list has some great values.

Another option, of course, is Spiaggia. The Chef is opening a new place in South Beach early next year. For now, he's still devoting most of his time to Chicago. You may want to go before he's really splitting his time between the two.

For something less expensive, try Kevin. We had an incredible meal there a few months ago. I am also a big fan of Naha.

I would echo all of the comments on Avenues.

As for NoMi, I think that this place has been hurt (reputation-wise) by the prices charged versus quality delivered before Chef Christophe David took over. Since he took over, I think the quality of the food has improved considerably, although it is still a little too pricey in my opinion. But the dining room is beautiful and the food is excellent.

I'd still choose Avenues though any day (assuming Alinea was off the table).