moderate dinner/drinks in the loop/downtown

hi all,
i have a friend who is town for a conference tomorrow and need to meet her for dinner/drinks downtown. normally i would do the gage or rhapsody or frontera grill, but let's just say she's notoriously stingy and all those places are too expensive. my next thought was greektown, but that's too food focused for her. i also thought of avec, but the west loop is not walking distance, esp in the snow tomorrow (another requirement!).
so my dilemma is-- where can i find a bar that does good food in a nice atmosphere (more stylish, less corporate) near wacker? some place with some good martinis and a reasonable wine list and above average food?
anywhere in millenium park or close to michigan avenue? i would greatly appreciate the help. i've been scratching my head for hours!

Sounds like Tavern At The Park is a little too pricey for what you're looking for.

All in all, the closest match is The Coq d'Or in the basement of The Drake (enter on Walton)...although it's .7 miles north of Millenium Park. If you go, make sure to order the "executive" martini, a great value for a couple bucks more than the regular. Foodwise I recommend the excellent burger, but you also have the option of ordering anything the Cape Cod Room next door offers and all of their food is servicable. Excellent atmosphere overall, enjoy...

Here are a few ideas that you may want to check out for a nice, but not necessarily pricey, dinner with drink (tap or wine) options near Wacker, within walking distance of the Loop.

Now, I'm not making any guarantees on a shiny "wow" reactions from your friend, but all of these have a unique feel and atmosphere, so depending on what you and your friend are up for, you may find something at one of these locations. Also, may I recommend that you check out the appetizer or first course menus for some of the places you listed such as the Gage? You can make a good meal (and experience more tastes) by sharing a few appetizers between friends along with your drinks...

- Atwood Cafe
- 17 West (the Old Berghoff)
- Emerald Loop
- Elephant & Castle
- Pizano's
- Heaven on Seven (on Wabash)
- Russian Tea Time
- Andy's Jazz
- Exchequer's
- Volare


However, if shiny is a must, you may want to try SushiSambaRio, which offers $10 bento box dinners ("Happy Boxes) from 5 to 7pm M-F or China Grill in the Hard Rock Hotel on Michigan or Bin 36.

Those are my two cents.

Check out Miller's Pub for a little of the "midcentury Chicago" feel. Can't vouch for the food, but the prices are certainly on the mark for the location, and the last time I looked the bar was operating at full capacity:

http://millerspub.com/index.php?main_page=menu

Do you mean "moderate"-ly priced food or drinks or both? The reason why I ask is that martinis are about $10-13 practically everywhere in the City, so I don't think there's much wiggle-room, price-wise there.

Go to the Big Bar in the Hyatt -- it's right at Wacker, 1/2 block up from Michigan. Perfect! (Just kidding. Don't go there.) Seriously, though, I would suggest Bin 36, which is more wine than martinis (although I'm sure they can make a decent martini). The food at Bin 36 is squarely average in my book, but I get the sense that the food might be secondary to the martinis for you.

If your friend is notoriously stingy, then you might want to hit the bar at Keefer's, where on Fridays they usually hand out not-bad-at-all free pizza at the bar during "happy hour."

Has your friend been to Chicago before? When it's snowing? After two blocks of fighting icy snow hitting her directly in the face, she might relent on the walking distance rule, in which case, I'd go directly to Avec.

I guess if your friend is REALLY a tightwad, you could pick up a sixer and a bag of Cheetos from White Hen Pantry...

The best possibilities have already been covered. Here are some additional options:

The upstairs bar at Nick's Fishmarket. Clark and Monroe. It has been redone in the past couple of years and is much less cheesy than it used to be. The remodel opened up the space and added more tables. There is an appetizer menu that offers decent food at reasonable prices. Nick's is far from great, but it has some of the characteristics you desire.

Sidebar. LaSalle, south of Lake, I think. This is the Loop edition of Schoolyard Tavern in Lakeview and Brownstone in North Center. Very similar menu to those two places -- traditional bar/grille with a little innovation and ambition (e.g., nicely made soft, hot pretzels). Moderately priced, but small, often crowded, and usually smoky (until 1 Jan 08, at least). Not a lot of "wow" factor.

Rosebud Prime. One South Dearborn. New steakhouse with a nice long bar that faces windows onto a plaza. Has a downtown feel. Food can be expensive, but appetizers and sandwiches are moderately priced.

I would echo the call for Avec, if a cab ride is deemed acceptable by your friend.

Dan

If 600 North is not too far to walk, my suggestion is Quartino.

http://www.quartinochicago.com/