one sixtyblue

I have searched this forum and egullet and chow and google as well - but still I can't really figure out what kind of restaurant one sixtyblue is (they don't even have pictures on their website). There was no real "report" to be found on any forum (let alone pictures).
Since we think about visiting the place on our chicago trip, could someone tell me what kind of atmosphere and food to expect. We are looking for a nice, relaxed place as sort of a "cooling off" between the high powered, seemingly rather "out there" multi-course-meals at Alinea and (hopefully) Schwa (or Moto).

Thanks.
kai

kai-m wrote:I have searched this forum and egullet and chow and google as well - but still I can't really figure out what kind of restaurant one sixtyblue is (they don't even have pictures on their website). There was no real "report" to be found on any forum (let alone pictures).
Since we think about visiting the place on our chicago trip, could someone tell me what kind of atmosphere and food to expect. We are looking for a nice, relaxed place as sort of a "cooling off" between the high powered, seemingly rather "out there" multi-course-meals at Alinea and (hopefully) Schwa (or Moto).

Thanks.
kai

It's a contemporary American with French influence. Not as 'high-powered' as Alinea but not exactly casual either. I think you'd probably feel underdressed here in jeans and maybe even feel undressed without a sportcoat.

I used to be a huge fan of this place and have had some great meals here over the years but my last experience, about a year ago, was -- to put it bluntly -- highly disappointing. It included a variety of miscooked meats and even some raw potatoes. Still, executive chef Martial Noguier is very innovative and talented, so I'm guessing we just got them on what was a very "off" night last time around. The wine list is superb.

=R=

Thank you, ronnie!

Well, since Iam highly allergic to raw potatoes (no kidding) I probably should look for some alternative...any suggestions, anyone?

greetings
kai

kai-m wrote:I have searched this forum and egullet and chow and google as well - but still I can't really figure out what kind of restaurant one sixtyblue is (they don't even have pictures on their website). There was no real "report" to be found on any forum (let alone pictures).

Previous One Sixtyblue thread.

ronnie_suburban wrote:

kai-m wrote:I have searched this forum and egullet and chow and google as well - but still I can't really figure out what kind of restaurant one sixtyblue is (they don't even have pictures on their website). There was no real "report" to be found on any forum (let alone pictures).
Since we think about visiting the place on our chicago trip, could someone tell me what kind of atmosphere and food to expect. We are looking for a nice, relaxed place as sort of a "cooling off" between the high powered, seemingly rather "out there" multi-course-meals at Alinea and (hopefully) Schwa (or Moto).

Thanks.
kai

It's a contemporary American with French influence. Not as 'high-powered' as Alinea but not exactly casual either. I think you'd probably feel underdressed here in jeans and maybe even feel undressed without a sportcoat.

That about sums it up, although I've been there at least once in jeans and other times in business casual, but I'm not a fan of sportcoats in general (only time I had one on this year was a trip to Alinea). In fact, once when I was there co-owner/investor Michael Jordan was in the lounge in jeans, so as they say, Be Like Mike.

I have not been to 160B in a year or so but my meals were alwasy quite good, although they have this irritating custom of trying to serve a cheese course at the start of the meal. Some of the waiters get obnoxiously aggressive about it. Not sure why, though they have an excellent cheese selection if you are interested, but that was my only (minor) gripe. I remember the scallop appetizer and lamb entree as being quite good.

Closer to the loop on Randolph at a similar price point is Blackbird where I find the food a bit better, but they really jam people together at Blackbird - tables are sometimes uncomfortably close. If that does not bother, the food can be quite inspired and service has in my experience, been immaculate. I don't think you'll go wrong at either one.

What about considering one of the more rustic ethnic places while you are here? I'm not sure if you get very much good Thai or Mexican food in Germany, but we certainly have some outstanding places serving both cuisines here in Chicago. One of the more rustic neighborhood places might be just what you need as a respite from your fine dining. I'd suggest having a look at the LTH Great Neighborhood Restaurants and see if anything there piques your interest. Of course, both Schwa and Moto are on that list, but so are many other places that are lesser known, but equally good at what they do.

Thanks for the advice - I'll check out thos GNRs...

Any advice for a quick, uncomplicated bite for our arrival night after a 9-hour flight (we stay at hotel monaco in 225 N Wabash)

By the way, one more question about dining etiquette in the US: is it alright in a midscale restaurant such as, say, a steakhouse like Keefers, to order just a main course and maybe a dessert and have a beer with it? Or is it like in italy, were it is rather strange not to order at least one starter, even in a simple trattoria?

Thanks
kai

Any advice for a quick, uncomplicated bite for our arrival night after a 9-hour flight (we stay at hotel monaco in 225 N Wabash)

Right across the street from the Monaco is a nice pub called Emerald Loop. It's got a great selection of beers, a fairly Irish Staff, decent food and a fun, relaxing atmosphere. it's an ideal place to go for a bite to eat after a long plane ride. It's also not a chain, which you can't say about the pub down the street, Elephant and Castle, (also a decent place but I think the Emerald Loop's food is better).

Enjoy Chicago!

shannon

kai-m wrote:By the way, one more question about dining etiquette in the US: is it alright in a midscale restaurant such as, say, a steakhouse like Keefers, to order just a main course and maybe a dessert and have a beer with it? Or is it like in italy, were it is rather strange not to order at least one starter, even in a simple trattoria?

Thanks
kai

Nothing wrong with that at all.

Are you coming in July? A bit more casual than 160 blue is Sweets and Savories, not too far away from the Loop on West Fullerton, and their $29 prix fixe (3 courses) through July is an excellent value. A good place to wind down from the high octane atmosphere of Alinea and Moto.

http://www.sweetsandsavorieschicago.com/

Probably the best late nite food option in the neaighborhood is The Gage, a couple blocks from you on Michigan:

http://www.thegagechicago.com/

I just want to second the plug for eating at The Gage (better food, albeit more expensive, than Emerald Loop, with better atmosphere). It's not even 0.5 miles from the hotel and a walk there would provide a great introduction to Millennium Park.

The Gage
24 S. Michigan Ave
312.372.4243‎
thegagechicago.com

Or if you really wanted to stretch your legs, you can keep walking south to Mercat a la Planxa for some tapas and wine at the bar.

Mercat a la Planxa
638 S Michigan Ave
312.765.0524
mercatchicago.com

Oh my..."sweets and savories" looks great (the website-music alone makes me want to go there)! - you people make my head spin...all those great looking places...Iam getting depressed...'cause I have a feeling that I need to spend 5 weeks in chicago rather than 5 days...

Seriously - we are getting off topic here, but what would you guys consider "culinary essentials" in your city? (and where others/the staff are not enervated by "tourist customers" - not that we are "typical tourists" or "ugly europeans", but certain "hip" restaurants over here have that attitude towards tourists...)

greetings
kai

(@moderators: please let me know if I should open a new topic with this question - or if you consider my questions in this form too "off topic" or "inappropriate")

I like the Gage too -- although I don't think it has a "better" atmosphere than Emerald Loop -- I think it has a different one. Emerald Loop is more of a pub -- lively, comfortable, neighborhoody. The Gage has always felt very sterile to me. It's also soooo echoey -- it's hard for me to hear in there. The food is good. The liquids are good. it's also several blocks further away from the Monaco. BUT..it does happen to be right in front of Millenium Park -- so that's a cool thing to wander by on your way to a meal.

kai-m wrote:Seriously - we are getting off topic here, but what would you guys consider "culinary essentials" in your city? (and where others/the staff are not enervated by "tourist customers" - not that we are "typical tourists" or "ugly europeans", but certain "hip" restaurants over here have that attitude towards tourists...)

There are 5300 registered users on this site, and this question is likely to get 5300 different answers.

More seriously, refer back to the list of GNRs. I think it's fair to say that some of them aren't "hip", but all of them can serve a great meal.

Other places that garner (near universal/unanimous) praise include Blackbird or Avec, and North Pond, in addition to some of the others mentioned above. Others might/will disagree, but I've never been less than impressed and satisfied at Topolobampo (representitive menu here), Hopleaf and Lula Cafe.

I would also suggest making a trip to The Violet Hour -- just be willing to wait if you show up much past 9/10pm.

Depending on what sort of dining experience you want (white tablecloth with a good wine list? or counter-service, laminate tables and BYO?), you'll get a host of further options and ideas.