Upscale Suggestions for Out of Town Visitors?

Hello all! Some friends and I have just begun planning a trip to Chicago. We are college students (and one recent college grad,) and this will be our first self-directed visit to your fair city. I am excited about researching the seemingly endless culinary options available, but I have been having some difficulty in finding unbiased information. (As in, of course a restaurant is only going to post positive reviews on its website.) Then I came across this site, which I am hoping will allow me to glean information from those in the know.

Some points that will need consideration:
-I am looking for someplace upscale (but not too upscale.) Because I am far more of a foodie than my friends are, I will have to treat if I am to have any hopes of convincing them to go somewhere outside of their normal range. For this reason, I should keep things under $100 per person. I am looking for a big splurge, but a $500 bill is just not something I could justify.
-Our hotel is in the vicinity of the Sears Tower, and I doubt I could convince anyone that a lengthy cab ride would be worth the payoff. I am not suggesting that the place should be within walking distance, but we won't be able to head out into the suburbs or anything either.
-Preferably, the restaurant should accept reservations. I am afraid if definite plans are not made in advance, we may just wind up eating at wherever happens to be closest to our location when the first of us gets hungry.
-It is of utmost importance to me that we go somewhere with innovative fare. It would be nice if there were also options available that would appeal to those who are certainly not picky, but rather more toward the traditionalist. (Read: Even if Alinea were not far outside my price range, I would be a bit afraid to go least the "what the *bleeep*s" outnumber the "yum!"s.)
-A tasting menu would be my first choice, but they seem to fall beyond my means at the moment. Perhaps something with a prix fixe would encourage my guests to try more than a single dish?
-We all agree that we want something unique rather than a chain.
-Probably nothing that is strictly sushi or strictly a steakhouse.
-If everything goes according to plan, this would be taking place on the evening of Tuesday, July 7, if that makes a difference.

Finally, I would appreciate it if you could give me an idea about the proper attire to be worn at the place(s) you suggest. I would, of course, know not to show up in cutoff jean shorts or anything like that, but because different locations have different vibes, a bit of insider knowledge could come in very handy.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Topolobampo would work great if you were interested. Rick Bayless started two haute-mexican places. This is the fancier of the two. Rick basically brought this whole cuisine to the states/chicago back in the 80s - a lot of southern mexico & yucatani dishes. Some a little more adventurous options than others. I believe there is even a prix-fixe menu with moles & ceviches. With wine, probably about $65 per person.

The attire is not super fancy. You could easily get away with a polo shirt & pants.. Even dressy jeans, fancy t-shirt and blazer could work.

Non-Foodies would definitely enjoy the meal and i think a foodie would really get off on it too.

selanator wrote:Topolobampo would work great if you were interested. Rick Bayless started two haute-mexican places. This is the fancier of the two. Great mexican food. Some a little more adventurous options than others. I believe there is even a prix-fixe menu with moles & ceviches. With wine, probably about $65 per person.

The attire is definitely not fancy. You could easily get away with a polo shirt & pants.. Even dressy jeans, fancy t-shirt and blazer could work.

love Topolobampo, but $65 with wine is not even close to what the dinner check would be. Closer to double that.

Eh, maybe somewhere between $65 & $130. Entrees are about $35 each, appetizers $10 and a glass of wine, probably $10...

The only other place I could think of that might work is Tru. Check their menu though - it might be a tad pricey and too adventurous for some of your friends. As a college student, i couldn't imagine wanting to eat there, but Topolo i wouldve been more ok with.

selanator wrote:Eh, maybe somewhere between $65 & $130. Entrees are about $35 each, appetizers $10 and a glass of wine, probably $10...

I guess you and I have different dining habits, especially when it comes to wine consumption. I also think your prices skew to the low side when you look at the actual menu. FWIW, the tasting menus with wine pairings start at, I believe, $120.

The way to keep the price down is to go BYO. Which to me, means to go to Mado. Not quite upscale (nice, but fairly informal), but very interesting and high quality food for the bucks.

I think the other place where your foodie-ism intersects with your friend's relative non-foodieism is the gastropub type places or whatever you'd call them as a class-- Avec, Bristol, Publican. The atmosphere is not hoity-toity, and the no-reservations thing could be a pain, but it's a way of getting high quality food while your friends are gulled by the more bar-like atmosphere.

Lots on this site about all of the above.

ADDENDUM: Unfortunately, to me it sounds like you really want to try Alinea-style "molecular gastronomy" (or art food as I've called it) but are looking for 1) a reasonable price and 2) not too weird so it won't freak your friends out. I say "unfortunately" because I think those things don't go together. The closest to reasonable price, because it's BYO, is Schwa. But it's still high and what's more, I'm betting pad thai made of jellyfish isn't going to meet condition #2. That's why I suggest the places above, which are more "normal," still innovative and of very high quality. Your shot at Alinea may have to wait till you can go with someone with the same bucks to spend and sense of adventurousness.

One of the great things about Frontera/Topolombapo is that you can order from the Topolombapo menu even if you are sitting in the Frontera section. So, you could go to Frontera and those who are interested in trying things from the Topolo menu can do so. My recollection is that Frontera only takes reservations for 6 or more people. Otherwise, you will likely have a long wait on a weekend evening.

If you are interested in upscale Mexican, you might also try Salpicon, which is a touch less upscale and expensive than Topolo, and you should be able to get a reservation without a problem. It will be a very short cab ride from the Sears Tower.

Mado is an excellent suggestion, if your friend like meat (it is not a steakhouse, but the menu is fairly meat focused).

Another suggestion is Sweets and Savories. They have an incredibly good tasting menu that is quite reasonably priced. Call to ask about prices - my recollection is that they have one for $65 and one for $75. The regular menu is very interesting also.

Finally, check out Avec, a local favorite. They do small plates, which are great for sharing with a small group. Excellent, reasonably priced wine and beer list. They don't take reservations. You could easily walk there from the Sears Tower.

Salpicon
1252 N Wells
Chicago, IL 60610
salpicon.com
See viewtopic.php?t=7327

Sweets & Savories
1534 W Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 281-6778
http://www.sweetsandsavoriesrestaurant.com
See viewtopic.php?t=6047

Avec
http://www.avecrestaurant.com
615 W Randolph St
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 258-8331
See viewtopic.php?t=2780
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=21130

Mike G wrote:The way to keep the price down is to go BYO. Which to me, means to go to Mado. Not quite upscale (nice, but fairly informal), but very interesting and high quality food for the bucks.

I think the other place where your foodie-ism intersects with your friend's relative non-foodieism is the gastropub type places or whatever you'd call them as a class-- Avec, Bristol, Publican. The atmosphere is not hoity-toity, and the no-reservations thing could be a pain, but it's a way of getting high quality food while your friends are gulled by the more bar-like atmosphere.

Lots on this site about all of the above.

ADDENDUM: Unfortunately, to me it sounds like you really want to try Alinea-style "molecular gastronomy" (or art food as I've called it) but are looking for 1) a reasonable price and 2) not too weird so it won't freak your friends out. I say "unfortunately" because I think those things don't go together. The closest to reasonable price, because it's BYO, is Schwa. But it's still high and what's more, I'm betting pad thai made of jellyfish isn't going to meet condition #2. That's why I suggest the places above, which are more "normal," still innovative and of very high quality. Your shot at Alinea may have to wait till you can go with someone with the same bucks to spend and sense of adventurousness.

Now that I see this addendum, I didn't make the molecular gastronomy connection either. Another suggestions slightly along those lines is Otom, the scaled back version of Moto.

viewtopic.php?t=13742

Mado is an excellent suggestion, if your friend like meat (it is not a steakhouse, but the menu is fairly meat focused).

Although that's true, recently Rob Levitt mentioned to me that they have a certain vegetarian fan base, just because they're so good at doing interesting things with farmer's market vegetables (and they change frequently). So it doesn't have to be all about the charcuterie.

I know opinions are somewhat mixed, but what do you guys think about Graham Elliot? The price and location are right and it has a young and energetic vibe. It isn't the full-on Alinea/Moto MG treatment, but it's extremely playful and creative in a very self-aware manner, and the upscale takes on downscale foods would ptobably have appeal for the non-food nerd collegiate crowd. Plus, a focus on creative cocktails.

If there were no paramaters at all, it certainly isn't the first place I'd send somebody, but it's a fun place run by one of Chicago's more notable chefs, I've had some great food there and it seems to fit all of the requirements quite nicely.

Yeah, that's actually a very good thought for that niche I just said didn't exist. What do I know, I only live here... and am going to Graham Elliott shortly

I was going to suggest Mercat a la Planxa discussed here:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=18261&hilit=mercat

Scroll down past the definition of the name discussion to get to more reviews and pics.

Small plates so you could create your own tasting menu. Lots of interesting options for all range of eaters. Lovely space and within walking distance of your hotel.

Mike G wrote:Yeah, that's actually a very good thought for that niche I just said didn't exist. What do I know, I only live here... and am going to Graham Elliott shortly

Also, what about Otom?

I dunno, what about it? It was suggested above, but I really don't know much about it to have an opinion, even secondhand.

canivale looks like it would be a fun place.

sepia might work, but not super innovative.

My one experience at Sepia (previous chef) was first-rate (and it's a really nice space), but very conventional. Where you take Dad to stretch him a little beyond his steakhouse comfort zone. Nothing wrong with that, but not what these people are looking for, I think.

I second the recommendation for Mercat a la Planxa. It's walkable from the hotel (20 mintues, maybe). It's excellent food but it won't scare non-foodies. I believe they have a tasting menu for around $65 (I could be off on that). However, it's a tapas style, so you really don't need a tasting menu to try a lot of stuff. You can also order a whole baby pig, but you have to put that order in day before, I believe.

Mike G wrote:I dunno, what about it? It was suggested above, but I really don't know much about it to have an opinion, even secondhand.

Sorry I missed it Fits the price range and the food stylings.

I say Avec or Spring.

I add a vote for Avec. Avec woud be perfect for a group of college students. The food is superb without being overly pretentious, and it is about as informal as you can get. Plus, it is all shareable small plates, so you don't have to commit to an entree-sized helping of something "weird". The only problem is that they take no reservations, but on a tuesday, the waitlist might be tolerable. It is definitely worth waiting for. Avec's slightly fancier sister restaurant Blackbird wouldn't be a bad choice either.

Avec does not take reservations, though.

I would second both Mercat a la Planxa and Carnavale. Both are really fun places to be, have great food and drinks, and can easily be done for under $100 per person without skimping.

Avec is also a fantastic rec, but as mentioned they don't take reservations. You should have no problem getting in though, if you go before 6.

Mike G wrote:

Mado is an excellent suggestion, if your friend like meat (it is not a steakhouse, but the menu is fairly meat focused).

Although that's true, recently Rob Levitt mentioned to me that they have a certain vegetarian fan base, just because they're so good at doing interesting things with farmer's market vegetables (and they change frequently). So it doesn't have to be all about the charcuterie.

That would make me very happy. I haven't been back to Mado since close to their opening. I am the vegetarian and I recall a lot of animal flesh offerings. I did note their shortbread recipe in TOC and set it aside for a future bake date. I adore sweets that are not too sweet and not chocolate.

I would suggest Lula Cafe http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?p=70438#70438 although 1)I think they are closed on Tuesday, 2) they are in Logan Square, & 3) they do not take reservations). Go on Monday night for the 3 course Farm Dinner. If my recollection is correct it is less than $30. You can wear jeans or whatever. They also have a pasta & quesadilla on the menu for the less adventurous. I think it is perfect for those that love food & are perhaps on a budget.

Enjoy,

Wow! What a wealth of information to be found here upon my return! It seems I did indeed find the perfect place to seek advice. There are a few things, both questions and comments, that occurred to me as I was reading through the replies.

I am sure Topolo would be a hit. The only thing that would hold me back from choosing it is the fact that The Gang and I frequent a delicious Mexican restaurant here at home. While I am sure Topolo would provide a very different experience, I am afraid it may not be quite different enough to bring about the "unlike anything else" factor that I was hoping for.

In response to the issue of wine costs, I should point out that my companions are what you would call very light drinkers. If we tried to do wine pairings, they might find themselves under the table by the time the third course arrived. Would it be gauche to ask for a recommendation on a bottle that could accompany the entire meal? Any other options for dining with a couple of astonishing lightweights? And having just turned 21 a few months ago, I am not sure I would feel comfortable with a BYO option; I'm afraid I may still need training wheels for my wine selections.

I was quite excited to read all the praise of Avec on this thread. This was one place that stood out to me immediately, and I have already managed to get everyone excited about dinner there on the nightthat we arrive. (Look everyone: Well-renowned! Relatively cheap! Right around the corner from our hotel! Innovative concept!) Can anyone give me an idea of what kind of wait time to be expecting on a Sunday around 8-ish?

ADDENDUM: Unfortunately, to me it sounds like you really want to try Alinea-style "molecular gastronomy" (or art food as I've called it) but are looking for 1) a reasonable price and 2) not too weird so it won't freak your friends out. I say "unfortunately" because I think those things don't go together.

That is a perfect description of my conundrum, but I am afraid I may have overly maligned my friends. They may not be adventurous eaters, but to their defense, our semi-rural hometown is not exactly bristling with options for culinary adventure. I have a secret desire (or perhaps not so secret, for that matter) to "convert" them; I am convinced that if they can taste innovative creations, they will be amazed, and in a positive way, no less.

The only other place I could think of that might work is Tru. Check their menu though - it might be a tad pricey and too adventurous for some of your friends. As a college student, i couldn't imagine wanting to eat there, but Topolo i wouldve been more ok with.

Is there a particular reason that Tru would be inappropriate for a group of college students, or was this just more of a remark that we would be likely to find few fellow diners in our own age range? I have been reading up on Tru, (as well as scores of other places) and it seems to be close to what I am looking for, with the exception of price. From what I have seen online, it seems that the food would be the kind of highly innovative fare I am looking for without the "completely out there" creations of a place like Moto. As long as The Gang doesn't take one look at their plates and flee in fright, I think they can be convinced to enjoy the meal, if for no other reason than as a unique experience.[/quote]

On the issue of price, my parents remarked that they could possibly foot a portion of the bill as an early birthday present. With the $110 tasting menu and very limited wine (as described above,) would it be possible to stay under $150 per person plus tip? Also, what about the dress code? I have a great Little Black Dress I have been dying to wear somewhere, but I'm not sure what my companions have. Would it be totally unacceptable if they showed up in some classy but not exactly elegant separates? As an aside, does anyone know if they would provide menus sans price. I'm afraid that knowledge of the expense might diminish the pleasure for companions who may not "get" fine cuisine and who consider Red Lobster too pricey. (I promise I am not nearly as snobby as I must sound in this post. Really I'm not. )

I'm still reading up on various options, and I am by no means locked into Tru. Any additional suggestions will be welcomed.

Oy ve this has become an eyesore of a lengthy post. Sorry about that, and thanks for all the help!

Edited for formatting. Dratted quotes

What is the cumulative tax rate on meals in Chicago? 10% at least. Don't forget that. Plus 20% tip. So if you had an ice tea with your meal at Tru, you MIGHT be able to do it for $150.

Short answers: Mex probably different (unless you have quite a remarkable local Mex spot) but you could have artisanal Mex for smaller bucks at Mixteco, Sol de Mexico, etc.

Any sommelier worth their pay should be able to recommend exactly to your level of desire to drink. That's their job.

Something about Tru has always put me off, more style than substance. But I haven't been so what do I know. I still think Graham Elliott-- innovative but less formal/expensive-- seems like it hits your needs the closest, and remain vaguely embarassed not to have thought of it.

Avec on Sunday at 8... is at least easier to get into than Avec on Saturday at 8!

It's great that you want to experience better, more ambitious things at your age. Not snobby at all.

I also think Graham Elliot fits your bill. If you are willing to skip the meat, for the most part, then I would strongly suggest Green Zebra as well.

The last month has absolutely flown by, but things have finally settled down enough for me to finally get around to making a follow-up post. I want to thank everyone who provided suggestions; I just wish I could have been around long enough to try each and every one.
What follows is a blow-by-blow of my Chicago dining experience, from the highly deliberate to the chance encounters. I have tried to limit the verbosity, but I must apologize for being frightfully long-winded.

Day 1 (Sunday)

Day’s events: Arrival by train, Improvised Shakespeare Company at Theater on the Lake. (I know it is off topic, but the I.S.C. is highly recommended for any and all fans of Bard-style humor.)

Dinner: Avec

Why there? In my pre-trip research, Avec stood out as a must-go. Every bit of the concept appealed to me, from the lauded food at a discount price to the chance to jump-start the trip by dining with people who would probably know the city better than we did.

The Experience: We arrived at about 8:30, put our names in, and as expected, wound up standing around the barrels out front. The waiter recommended an Italian rosé, 2007 Librandi Rosato ($12/glass.) This was a great choice for sipping outdoors on a warm summer night, a bit floral and fruity without being overly sweet. I loved the way the wine was served in its own tiny carafe, both for the obvious value advantage of getting more than a single serving and for the fun, quirky tone it set. My party of 3 was seated after an approximately 30 minute wait around 9. After plenty of back-and-forth over the menu, we wound up with the following dishes, described in the order they were received.
“Chorizo-stuffed medjool dates with smoked bacon and piquillo pepper-tomato sauce” ($9.) After reading all the hype, there was simply no way I was leaving Chicago without trying these. Other posters have described the flavors at work here far better than I ever could, but suffice it to say that this dish lived up to the sky-high expectations that came from weeks of reading rave reviews. The interplay of the intense tomato sauce, the slightly sweet, buttery dates, and the spicy chorizo is a match made in heaven. The chorizo was indeed the dominant flavor in the dish, but I was neither disappointed nor surprised. This is basically a ball of sausage with a bit of fruit and tomato sauce, and I wasn’t expecting the date portion to be as aggressive as the chorizo.

“Cheese from our cave” (15.) A joint decision between me and J. Based on the suggestion of our waitress, we had Robiola, a soft Italian blend of cow and sheep milks; Tomme de Savoie, a semi-soft French, and Mahon Curado, a raw Spanish semi-hard cheese. The Tomme de Savoie was universally declared the winner, with almost a mildly tangy flavor and a texture firm enough to stand up to being bitten and soft enough to do so without effort. The Robiola was also delicious, buttery, and mild. I was the only one in the group who enjoyed the Mahon Curado, and I found it a bit of a mixed bag. When eaten in conjunction with the other two cheeses, this was almost too harsh and earthy. The rind was unpleasantly strong, but the interior was more subtle and interesting.

“Wood-fired flatbread with shaved beets, roast olives, marjoram, arugula, and manchego” ($15.) L and J’s choice. I was hoping to try the deluxe focaccia with truffle oil, but it was decided that, when combined with the cheese course, this might bring about cheese overload. While I still hope to sample the focaccia someday, I am glad we decided to go with the flatbread. The flavored worked perfectly together, with the sweet beets contrasting with the acidic saltiness of the Kalamata olives.

“Coffee braised pork ribs with radish, napa cabbage, kohlrabi, and horseradish vinaigrette” ($12.) L’s choice. The vegetables and meat arrived separate on the same plate, which made this a fabulous way to sample both the renowned pork and equally renowned salad of Avec without committing to two separate dishes. I was unable to detect any coffee flavor in the sauce, but this was still a very solid, tender example of ribs. The accompanying salad was a delight, with a great crunch and a tangy dressing

Overall Impressions: Wow. What a fitting introduction to the Chicago culinary scene. Not one dish was a disappointment. The Spartan sauna-like décor provides a fitting backdrop and allows the food take center stage. The seating was actually more comfortable than I had been expecting from various reviews, and there was even a seat cushion for the friend who was seated on the apparently less-comfortable bench against the wall. My only (admittedly mild) complaint would be the timing of the cheese course. We never talked about the order of the “courses,” but it felt a bit odd to have the cheese in slot #2, especially when it followed directly on the heels of the abundantly flavorful dates. I wish I could have tasted a couple more wines, but my dining companions are very light drinkers and I wasn’t going to keep on ordering after they had stopped. As I had expected, I loved the communal dining concept. I had a long conversation with my mildly inebriated neighbor about Chicago dining and life in general. Avec has captured such a place in my heart that I have found myself daydreaming about hopping the train back down to Chicago for no other reason than to try a few more of their dishes.

OutOfTownVisitor wrote:The last month has absolutely flown by, but things have finally settled down enough for me to finally get around to making a follow-up post. I want to thank everyone who provided suggestions; I just wish I could have been around long enough to try each and every one.
What follows is a blow-by-blow of my Chicago dining experience, from the highly deliberate to the chance encounters. I have tried to limit the verbosity, but I must apologize for being frightfully long-winded.

I greatly value this detailed intel and look forward to the subsequent reports; thanks for reporting back, and hope we'll be of service for your next visit as well.