Mid-week dinner by Joffrey Ballet?

Looking for a tasty dinner spot somewhat near the ballet. I'm sure there are a ton due to it being downtown and all ,but I love to hear your opinions on favorites.

Open to all types of fare. Thanks!

There is a ton to choose from. Are you looking for short walking distance? Any sort of price range?

There is always the ol' standby Italian Village a little further north on Wabash.

Spring season is at the Auditorium Theatre, right?

I've been thinking I need to get back to Mercat a la Planxa. Also, I haven't tried the Lockwood. It's a little ways south, but if you're coming by car it might be doable--I recently had a very pleasant meal at South Coast.

Mercat a la Planxa
638 S Michigan Ave
Chicago IL 60605
312-765-0524
http://www.mercatchicago.com

Lockwood Restaurant
17 E Monroe St
Chicago, IL 60603
312-917-3404
http://www.lockwoodrestaurant.com

South Coast Sushi Bar
1700 S Michigan Ave
Chicago IL 60616
312-662-1700
http://www.coastsushibar.com

When I go to the Joffrey, I like The Gage.

The Gage
24 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago IL
312-372-4243

After two visits, I'm pretty much convinced that the Gage is the most overrated restaurant in Chicago. It talks like Avec and walks like a Bennigan's-- everything cheesed and salted up with a heavy hand. I mean, who oversalts a salad? And if you have a sandwich on special, shouldn't you notice that the meat is so wet is destroys the bread before it even reaches the table?

Mike G wrote:After two visits, I'm pretty much convinced that the Gage is the most overrated restaurant in Chicago. It talks like Avec and walks like a Bennigan's-- everything cheesed and salted up with a heavy hand. I mean, who oversalts a salad? And if you have a sandwich on special, shouldn't you notice that the meat is so wet is destroys the bread before it even reaches the table?

I can't say I've ever had those experiences there in my 6+ visits. I don't think anyone is putting it in the same category as Avec, and I don't think it's trying to be Avec like some other restaurants are. There is nothing about The Gage that would even suggest that The Gage talks like Avec. (Sheesh, the Gage's pub-staple heavy menu doesn't even conjure up a comparison to Avec's Mediterranean inspired menu.) I'm sure, like every other restaurant, including Avec, The Gage has had their misfires. (Incidentally, I've had over-salted salads at Avec.) But for what it is, and where it's located, I like it.

aschie30 wrote:

Mike G wrote:After two visits, I'm pretty much convinced that the Gage is the most overrated restaurant in Chicago. It talks like Avec and walks like a Bennigan's-- everything cheesed and salted up with a heavy hand. I mean, who oversalts a salad? And if you have a sandwich on special, shouldn't you notice that the meat is so wet is destroys the bread before it even reaches the table?

I can't say I've ever had those experiences there in my 6+ visits. I don't think anyone is putting it in the same category as Avec, and I don't think it's trying to be Avec like some other restaurants are. There is nothing about The Gage that would even suggest that The Gage talks like Avec. (Sheesh, the Gage's pub-staple heavy menu doesn't even conjure up a comparison to Avec's Mediterranean inspired menu.) I'm sure, like every other restaurant, including Avec, The Gage has had their misfires. (Incidentally, I've had over-salted salads at Avec.) But for what it is, and where it's located, I like it.

I agree - was just back there last week. Fish and chips, burgers, and fancy pub desserts (Guinness caramel, etc.) hit the spot, and talk nothing like Avec. Just be prepared for a Michigan Avenue-overpriced drink list.

By Avec talk, I mean they spout the buzzwords of the moment so they sound like the much-admired restaurants of the moment (the pork they did an indifferent job with, and left so soggy it soaked the bread, was claimed to be Gunthorp) but the execution just isn't there-- and what is there reminded me very much of the SOP of a mall chain restaurant, heavy on the cheese, heavy on the salt.

As someone else said to me, "You don't have to be good to make a lot of money in that location." And The Gage has hit that sweet spot, as far as I'm concerned.

Santander wrote:

aschie30 wrote:

Mike G wrote:After two visits, I'm pretty much convinced that the Gage is the most overrated restaurant in Chicago. It talks like Avec and walks like a Bennigan's-- everything cheesed and salted up with a heavy hand. I mean, who oversalts a salad? And if you have a sandwich on special, shouldn't you notice that the meat is so wet is destroys the bread before it even reaches the table?

I can't say I've ever had those experiences there in my 6+ visits. I don't think anyone is putting it in the same category as Avec, and I don't think it's trying to be Avec like some other restaurants are. There is nothing about The Gage that would even suggest that The Gage talks like Avec. (Sheesh, the Gage's pub-staple heavy menu doesn't even conjure up a comparison to Avec's Mediterranean inspired menu.) I'm sure, like every other restaurant, including Avec, The Gage has had their misfires. (Incidentally, I've had over-salted salads at Avec.) But for what it is, and where it's located, I like it.

I agree - was just back there last week. Fish and chips, burgers, and fancy pub desserts (Guinness caramel, etc.) hit the spot, and talk nothing like Avec. Just be prepared for a Michigan Avenue-overpriced drink list.

High-priced yes, but over-priced, maybe not. I think the Gage does a terrific job with cocktails. I remember some really intense gingerry-lemonny-bourbonny thing that made me swoon. Went great with curry fries and plump, tasty mussels. Mussels and fries are my regular order at the Gage, and have never disappointed.

Kennyz wrote: High-priced yes, but over-priced, maybe not. I think the Gage does a terrific job with cocktails. I remember some really intense gingerry-lemonny-bourbonny thing that made me swoon. Went great with curry fries and plump, tasty mussels. Mussels and fries are my regular order at the Gage, and have never disappointed.

I had that gingerry-lemonny-bourbonny thing. It was delicious all on its own too!

Their Irish breakfast was one of the best and highest priced breakfasts I've had this past year. Far from mall-food on both counts.

Mike G wrote:After two visits, I'm pretty much convinced that the Gage is the most overrated restaurant in Chicago. It talks like Avec and walks like a Bennigan's-- everything cheesed and salted up with a heavy hand. I mean, who oversalts a salad? And if you have a sandwich on special, shouldn't you notice that the meat is so wet is destroys the bread before it even reaches the table?

I don't know about most overrated in Chicago since I can think of a few serious contenders for that title, but I will not eat at the Gage. My first visit was utterly disappointing and overpriced. I gave it a second chance, and while the service was less annoying on my return visit--they waited until I sat down to try and take my order--I still left feeling unsatisfied and like I paid far too much money. I'm a sucker for architecture and will do ridiculous things to spend time in buildings I like, and I am very fond of the cluster of Holabird & Roche buildings and Louis Sullivan facades that includes the Gage. I still don't see myself ever eating there again.

The Gage is my favorite place in the south loop. I can't remember ever being served anything over-seasoned there in many, many visits. I definitely understand the "heavy handed" claim, but that's exactly what pub food's all about. Heavy, rich, flavorful, crunchy, sharp, bright... these are the kinds of flavors I'm looking for with my pint of ale or lager. I think the Gage hits this right on the head with excellent ingredients and in a great space (minus the pick-up atmosphere at the bar some nights).

When my chef/cook friends are in town, the Gage is one of the places I take them for a bite and a beer.

-LFS