All Expenses Paid Meal Anywhere

LTH,

Due to some unique circumstances involving a friend winning a substantial sum of money on a game show I was promised an expenses paid meal at any restaurant of my choosing in Chicagoland. Because I value the opinions of your tested culinary minds, I'm asking you all for suggestions. As my friend and I are both young and hungry, I tend to lean towards a caloric splurge at a terrific steakhouse (David Burke's?), but I'm certainly open to thoughts. Ideally I'm looking for an optimal balance of quantity and top-notch quality. Thoughts?

Rob C

Rob C wrote:LTH,
a friend winning a substantial sum of money on a game show

I have to admit that I am curious. Which game show?

People love David Burkes, and if you want a steakhouse that seems like a good choice.

If I wanted an unlimited pocketbook type meal and had the ability to get a reservation on short notice I would eat at one of the following (no particular order)

Charlie Trotters
Alinea
Moto
Schwa &
Everest

Enjoy!

Well, if you really have a money-is-no-concern opportunity, why not go to Alinea for the full tour with the wine upgrade? It's not a steak house, so if that's the experience you're longing for, then it's no option, but it's the kind of place that'd be nice to have someone else picking up the tab for, and it's not likely to be a modest one.

iblock9 wrote:

Rob C wrote:LTH,
a friend winning a substantial sum of money on a game show

I have to admit that I am curious. Which game show?

I don't feel at liberty to disclose the full details, but I'll say that it was a game show recently shot at Navy Pier, and that my friend was Fortune-ate to have good puzzling skills. With that said the sum was not enormous, but substantial, particularly for a kid fresh out of college.

If you're in your just out of college, skip the formal places...you'll be bored.

I bet you'd like some place like Sushi Samba. Lot's of pretty people to look at.

ChgoGrrl wrote:If you're in your just out of college, skip the formal places...you'll be bored.

I bet you'd like some place like Sushi Samba. Lot's of pretty people to look at.

Wow.

Seems to me that you shouldn't be asking us this, but asking yourself what is your favorite restaurant to spend a special evening with your friend. Perhaps that restaurant will be, for example, Little Three Happiness. You could have a really blow-out banquet and then give a few hundred dollars to a favorite charity. There are worse things to do during a recession.

One shouldn't spend money for the sake of spending money. If you love molecular cuisine, Alinea is a great place; if you love steak, David Burke is fine. But if you really like pizza, Burt's is the place. The occasion will be memorable whatever the cost.

Wow?

What's wrong with that suggestion. If they're in their early 20's, they'll probably love the place.

ChgoGrrl wrote:Wow?

What's wrong with that suggestion. If they're in their early 20's, they'll probably love the place.

I think the wow was in response to the suggestion that just because they're in their early 20s, they're looking for a scene.

Certainly wasn't the case for me.

Well, maybe that was a big assumption. I love the other restaurants suggested, but I just figured they might not have that much fun surrounded by people 10 or 20 years older than them.

And, just to be clear, Sushi Samba is fine, I've enjoyed it, but it wouldn't be my first choice for sushi or if I had an unlimited budget. But restaurants for me aren't just about food, they're also about fun. I still think that a couple of people just out of college would really like it.

ChgoGrrl wrote:And, just to be clear, Sushi Samba is fine, I've enjoyed it, but it wouldn't be my first choice for sushi or if I had an unlimited budget. But restaurants for me aren't just about food, they're also about fun. I still think that a couple of people just out of college would really like it.

The OP asked for a meal suggestion. All due respect, seems a little condescending to assume that a "kid out of college" (especially a kid who would post here) would prefer bright lights, colors and eye candy to a memorable dining experience. It is also, if I may say so, a little out of sync with the general tenor of posts to direct people to places that place food second to atmosphere. And why, in the name of all that is delicious, would you recommend a place that isn't even a first choice? That's what I meant by Wow, and I stand by that exclamation.

And GAF makes a fine point. Memorable meals can be had anywhere...but if a buddy is picking up the check on a no-holds-barred meal, my tendency would be to go for broke. Every meal I've had at Gene's and Jude's has been memorable (really, I mean that, I remember every one), but if a gameshow-winning friend wants to treat me to dinner, I'm probably going to set my sights a little higher.

Maybe you're right...I'm still getting acclimated around here.

I based my response in part to Rob's being torn between "quantity" and "quality." When he said steak house, it sounded to me like he was looking for a fun night out. Not that steak houses are all that fun for me, but when a guy just out of college mentions it, that's where my mind takes me.

I wasn't thinking about where I might like to eat, rather trying to offer a suggestion that they could look up on the web and that might be a place they would enjoy.

David Hammond wrote:Well, if you really have a money-is-no-concern opportunity, why not go to Alinea for the full tour with the wine upgrade?

This is a unique opportunity, to enjoy the ultimate culinary experience which might not otherwise be available to you for years. Go for it!

The "young and hungry" makes me wonder if any of the degustation destinations really fit the bill. Some of our most exquisite dining experiences tend to be -- dare I say it? -- somewhat twee. They can be extraordinary if your goal is to study the complex creations of culinary masters. But such lengthy, drawn-out meals of small, intricate courses aren't always satisfying to the hearty appetite.

Even at David Burke's Primehouse, which to my mind serves the best steaks in town (and some of the worst side dishes), the most delectable and costly viands are by no means the largest.

When I was in my 20s, an extravagant meal to me meant an elegant dining room and French haute cuisine. It still does. Alas, Chicago has few places left serving this cuisine and I have not been to the extant restaurants -- Everest, Carlos, Les Nomades -- recently enough to say which is the best.

I will, however, make one suggestion, wherever you choose. Call ahead and make your reservation. Tell the restaurant that it's a special occasion and you want to put yourselves in the chef's hands. Name what you want to spend, including drinks, and any dislikes and allergies. Then let the chef surprise you. I guarantee that almost anywhere, you'll get a more memorable meal this way than you could choose yourself.

Moto. Get a table on the early side on a slower night (early in the week), and get both the wine pairings AND the "soft drink" pairings. Watch the place fill in. Get to know your servers. Talk your way down to the kitchen. Prepare for a new lobe in your brain to open.

LAZ wrote:The "young and hungry" makes me wonder if any of the degustation destinations really fit the bill. Some of our most exquisite dining experiences tend to be -- dare I say it? -- somewhat twee. They can be extraordinary if your goal is to study the complex creations of culinary masters. But such lengthy, drawn-out meals of small, intricate courses aren't always satisfying to the hearty appetite.

If they do the Tour at Alinea with wine pairings and leave hungry, I will personally meet them afterwards and by them a pizza.

I will second (third, fourth...whatever), the Tour with wine pairings.

LAZ wrote:Some of our most exquisite dining experiences tend to be -- dare I say it? -- somewhat twee.

Cool, I learned two new words from LTH today. Twee and organoleptically.

David Hammond wrote:

ChgoGrrl wrote:And, just to be clear, Sushi Samba is fine, I've enjoyed it, but it wouldn't be my first choice for sushi or if I had an unlimited budget. But restaurants for me aren't just about food, they're also about fun. I still think that a couple of people just out of college would really like it.

The OP asked for a meal suggestion. All due respect, seems a little condescending to assume that a "kid out of college" (especially a kid who would post here) would prefer bright lights, colors and eye candy to a memorable dining experience.

Hammond thanks for defending my gastronomic curiosity/capacity. I'm sure I could enjoy the nuanced construction of Chef Achatz's dishes.

With that said, I understand your point ChgoGrrl. My buddy and I may not be looking for setting with the pace and etiquette of an Alinea.

I'm certainly going to try and take advantage of this opportunity. While I too have had memorable meals at WASC and Gene and Judes - I can afford these meals on my meager grad student budget, so I'm looking for a more unique dining opportunity. Thanks for your thoughts, I'll likely be taking up my friends offer in a week or two.

Rob C

Why not the kitchen bar at Avenues?

You get a pricey meal in a relatively laid back atmosphere - the chefs are extremely friendly and quite funny, you can pick how long you want your meal to be (I think you can do five, ten, or fifteen courses), and you get some of the finest and certainly unique, food in the city.

I'd be really interested in hearing a report about a post-GEB meal at Avenues, especially from the kitchen bar vantage.

Re Alinea, I haven't been since the middle of last year and I just made reservations yesterday for April 20th. Looking forward to a return! Anyone know if they still let you split a wine pairing? (if not, I may need to start saving more moolah...)

Hmm...Rob, we may have a friend in common, or perhaps a co-competitor...

I am certainly NOT the one to ask about a fine-dining, money-is-no-object experience. Let's face it - we all know I'm cheap. However, I think LAZ is offering some good advice (god help me, I had to look up both twee - and organoleptically - and I once was an English major!) I'd think about what kind of food and what kind of atmosphere you want and maybe narrow your request a bit. Seems like there's a lot of choices in the area that jibe with steakhouse, and so I direct you to this thread.

Other than that, my take on you mentioning a steakhouse implies to me that you want a place with a more masculine vibe...somewhere upscale, but not necessarily where you'd take a date; somewhere with a good bar, maybe. An upscale expense-account type of place. Would you say that's accurate?

Mhays wrote:Hmm...Rob, we may have a friend in common, or perhaps a co-competitor...

Interesting indeed... I'm an Evanston native, but my friend isn't...

Mhays wrote:Other than that, my take on you mentioning a steakhouse implies to me that you want a place with a more masculine vibe...somewhere upscale, but not necessarily where you'd take a date; somewhere with a good bar, maybe. An upscale expense-account type of place. Would you say that's accurate?

Mhays,

You're pretty much in-line with my thinking ... we're more the craft beer-types then the fine wine crowd.

Regards,

Rob C

If I were in your shoes, I would go to Gibson's/Hugo's and order an appetizer, a huge steak, a lobster (call it a "create your own" surf and turf!), a bunch of sides, and a dessert. You'll have a great meal that night, and with the shopping bag of leftovers you'll be taking home, you'll have some great meals the following nights as well.

Here's an idea: why stick to Chicagoland. Fly to New York and go to Peter Luger's. Or fly in the other direction to Las Vegas and enjoy one of the many steakhouses, including Craftsteak. Make a weekend of it.

How about an adventure?

Start at Naha's lounge for drinks and apps.

Have your entree at Spring (yes, you can order just an entree here).

Dessert at HotChocolate.

When you're done, if you can walk, you'll be in the heart of Wicker Park with plenty of options for fun.

Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab might fit the bill perfectly. It's got a masculine, clubby vibe, a good bar upfront, and tableside service that'll make you feel like kings. Get the Steak and Stone Crab, or Steak and King Crab combo, and not only will you leave completely stuffed, you'll have eaten what I think is the best very-high-priced seafood in Chicago. (the "market price" they charge for the crabs is obscene). There's something called the "Second Mortgage" appetizer, which consisted of crab claws, lobster tails, shrimp cocktail, and scallop ceviche. It too is obscenely priced, but pristinely fresh and delicious. Joe's is a place I'd never go on my own account, but when someone else is paying... oh yeah!

Joe's Seafood,...
60 East Grand
Chicago, IL 60611
312-379-5637

GAF wrote:Here's an idea: why stick to Chicagoland. Fly to New York and go to Peter Luger's. Or fly in the other direction to Las Vegas and enjoy one of the many steakhouses, including Craftsteak. Make a weekend of it.

Better yet, fly to San Francisco and head north to the French Laundry. (Although Gourmet magazine called Alinea the best restaurant in the country.) Heck, no need to limit it to this country; fly to Spain and eat at El Bulli, called by some the best in the world.

nsxtasy wrote:fly to Spain and eat at El Bulli, called by some the best in the world.

Yeah...but good luck getting a reservation

jesteinf wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:fly to Spain and eat at El Bulli, called by some the best in the world.

Yeah...but good luck getting a reservation

If you do, however, I just don't think you'll enjoy El Bulli, Rob, and you should definitely give your reservation to me.

It may not be expensive for the sake of being expensive, but I'd suggest one of the Churrascaria such as Texas de Brazil. Massive amounts of meat, good service, decent wine selection and a not too fancy atmosphere. And did I mention, massive amounts of meat?