Help!! Planning a dinner for a foodie

Hello,

I am planning a dinner for a friend of mine who is a foodie -- I love amazing food and the artistry of cuisine but I am not as knowledgeable about the best places to eat in the city. She's eaten at: TRU, Trotter's, Schwa, Bon Soiree, and various other restaurants. I'd love to impress her by taking her to a place that only true foodies would know about. I really appreciate any advice you have and promise to give you all credit with the restaurant selection.

Thank you in advance!

Throw a dart of the list of Great Neighborhood Restaurants and you'll pick a winner. Download the pocket guide and you can select by type of cuisine or location.

stevez wrote:Throw a dart of the list of Great Neighborhood Restaurants and you'll pick a winner. Download the pocket guide and you can select by type of cuisine or location.

Great advice, Steve. I was just going to suggest the same thing.

=R=

for the experience, i say San Soo Gap San because you grill the meats over charcoal and there are a lot of sides and they are tasty. you need to order two to get the table grilling. i usually go for spicey chicken and a beef... never tried the bacon but people on here really like; i don't know if they have it/specialize in it... never looked. here's a link:

viewtopic.php?t=8771

you got to be bold to get a table sometimes but that's when i think its most fun to be there (when its more crowded). go for a booth. the soup, rice... everythings tasty; does anyone know how to use the garlic? i've never figured that one out

does anyone know how to use the garlic? i've never figured that one out

If you are talking about the raw garlic that comes with the lettuce and other raw veggies, then I'm pretty sure you eat it wrapped with the beef in the lettuce.

Bad idea on first dates........

GNRs would be a great place to start -- my personal favorite is Spoon Thai and when you are there, ask them for the translated Thai language menu. Here are some links to LTHers' thoughts on Spoon Thai: 1, 2, 3, and 4.

If you're looking for something higher end (in the Tru/Trotter's mold), you might want to try the relatively recent newcomer L.20 which has been highly praised here.

One spot that's very good but often falls off the radar is Sweets & Savories in Lincoln Park. Here are a couple of links to comments here: 1 and 2.

Habibi wrote:
If you are talking about the raw garlic that comes with the lettuce and other raw veggies, then I'm pretty sure you eat it wrapped with the beef in the lettuce.

Bad idea on first dates........

Actually I usually place some of the raw garlic right on the hot edges of the grill to roast it a bit (don't put it in the middle or it will burn) - it mellows down the garlic and gives it a nice sweetness when you roll it up in the lettuce.

stevez wrote:Download the pocket guide and you can select by type of cuisine or location.

man, that pocket guide is really the shit. That thing has been responsible for more great meals that I had not planned at all. I have to print out a new one soon, its on its last leg. Kudos to whoever thought of that.

Taker her to Honey 1 BBQ on Western ave just north of lyndale.

Every time i eat there I'm more impressed - robert adams is a genius. I had a rack of spare ribs there the other day that made me sit in silence and reflect on my life - and how lucky and fortunate I am that there is someone in this city that makes some of the best pork on earth and how fortunate i am for being on the receiving end of it. Honey 1 spare ribs/tips are better than opium.

if you're friend can't appreciate that she's not a foodie. Thats where i take EVERY person that comes to chicago. Honey 1 and Gene and Jude's are the 2 absolutely mandatory places that I take someone - everything else is merely a suggestion for me.