Chicago needs a Grand Central Oyster Bar & Restaurant.

http://www.oysterbarny.com/

Non-greasy late night restaurants with good food (by which I mean restaurants open after midnight on weekdays that aren't diners, Steak n Shake, Pakistani cabbie hangouts, etc.).

Upscale doughnut shops.

Dinner theater (like the late, lamented Candlelight).

Somewhere that serves kosher food for dinner south of Devon Avenue.

Classic French haute cuisine (a la Le Francais).

Smorgasbord.

Mhays wrote:a bakery with coffees and alcohol, frequently both.

Artopolis.

gooseberry wrote:It would be nice to have an Indian fast food place

Spicy Bites.

gooseberry wrote:It would be nice to have an Indian fast food place

Spicy Bites.[/quote]

Sweet! Thanks LAZ

Non-greasy late night restaurants with good food (by which I mean restaurants open after midnight on weekdays that aren't diners, Steak n Shake, Pakistani cabbie hangouts, etc.)

.

Chicago has always rolled up the sidewalks surprisingly early-- where's our 24-hour record store? I noticed that when I moved from Kansas and was startled to find the shops in Water Tower closing up as early as 7 pm. When even the farmers can shop later than you can...

Upscale doughnut shops.

Does such a thing exist anywhere? Or are you saying that even relative to, say, LA's doughnut spots, Chicago's are notably dodgy (which may well be true)?

Dinner theater

Yeah, it's been too long since I've seen The Star-Spangled Girl.

Sri Lankan. Since watching the No Reservations episode when they went to Sri Lanka, I've been dying to get into legit Sri Lankan food -- which, at least according to the show, is different than Indian.

Hope I can word this well...

Lot more Chinese restaurants that actually take pride in their "Ameri-Chinese" offerings.
I am SO. SICK. OF. GLOP. So many times, I'd love to ask a chef to come over to the table and taste what they've prepared just to watch their reaction. Yeah, I know it's partially my own darn fault for ordering things like "Dragon and Phoenix" at LSC, but with so much other decent food there, you'd just assume they would actually take pride in their other foods as well. Sometimes tablemates are more interested in chicken with broccoli, and mongolian beef than the things I'd prefer. Just wish I could enjoy those things as well when we order them. I like a good "General Tso's Chicken." I really do. I DARE anyone to go and try Double Li's version. You might vomit. I'm just saying, it doesn't take a whole lotta effort to make something you're proud of rather than slopping out something you wouldn't eat yourself. Although, I'd assume also that the owners are catering to what other patrons want. Then again, sometimes I can't believe that ppl would eat some of that stuff if they ever tried a better version.

Mike G wrote:

Upscale doughnut shops.

Does such a thing exist anywhere? Or are you saying that even relative to, say, LA's doughnut spots, Chicago's are notably dodgy (which may well be true)?

I was guessing the reference was to places like Voodoo Donut in Portland, Psycho Donuts in suburban San Jose… that does seem like kind of a no-brainer, if there can be multiple boutique cupcake shops. Donuts totally dominate over cupcakes.

germuska wrote:

Mike G wrote:

Upscale doughnut shops.

Does such a thing exist anywhere? Or are you saying that even relative to, say, LA's doughnut spots, Chicago's are notably dodgy (which may well be true)?

I was guessing the reference was to places like Voodoo Donut in Portland, Psycho Donuts in suburban San Jose… that does seem like kind of a no-brainer, if there can be multiple boutique cupcake shops. Donuts totally dominate over cupcakes.

Or Top Pot doughnuts in Seattle. Definitely upscale, definitely real deal doughnuts.

LAZ wrote:

Mhays wrote:a bakery with coffees and alcohol, frequently both.

Artopolis.

Thanks, I will definitely check it out when I'm in Greektown next...but just from looking at the website, it doesn't strike me as being the same sort of place: from what I see, it's still primarily a coffeeshop/bakery rather than a late-night dessert/bar with table service (they offered food, too, but I rarely got anything but soup, that's not what you went there for.) Hot Chocolate seems to be the closest thing, but from what I read here and have heard elsewhere, it still seems to primarily be a restaurant.

Mhays wrote:

LAZ wrote:

Mhays wrote:a bakery with coffees and alcohol, frequently both.

Artopolis.

Thanks, I will definitely check it out when I'm in Greektown next...but just from looking at the website, it doesn't strike me as being the same sort of place: from what I see, it's still primarily a coffeeshop/bakery rather than a late-night dessert/bar with table service (they offered food, too, but I rarely got anything but soup, that's not what you went there for.) Hot Chocolate seems to be the closest thing, but from what I read here and have heard elsewhere, it still seems to primarily be a restaurant.

Those (Artopolis and Hot Chocolate) are two great places offering just what the doctor ordered, and often overlooked here, the latter especially until Mindy's broadcast resurgence. I'd also plug Gage, Avec, and even Bluebird for late dessert + booze + tasty savories.

@ esteemed fellow westsider seebee, there are a few places near Argonne (some how it's when I'm out there that I get the craving) that do nice crispy non-gloppy General Tso's if you're out that way:

Gong Ho
http://gonghorestaurant.com/lunchmenu.html

Tai San Chef
http://www.taisanchef.com/

The latter was even better when it was exclusively Chinese - generous portions and really nice lunch specials, house made sweet and sour sauce on the table, etc. They're still quite friendly.

I'd normally refer you to Tae Fu, but I'm not even sure if they have the General on the menu. The Jockey restaurant in Westmont is hit and miss for lunch but the Governor's chicken there can be good. If you're going that far, Fabulous Noodles does Amerinese pretty well too (just specify non-gloppy and they'll get you, they're generally accommodating).

As put so well by REB, Chicago needs a butcher that focuses on local, sustainable, heritage meats.

A charcutier would be awesome as well. During a recent trip to Holland, I noticed that even very small towns had great cheese & charcuterie shops. Check out the selection at this place in Delft, a town of <100,000 people



This is just part of one of the cases. The pates and terrines were behind me in another huge refrigerator, along with all of the house-made spreads and such. The back of the store was dedicated to cheese and wine.

-Dan

sources of high-quality cart-style dim sum outside of Chinatown. In DC, dim sum could be based on other plans—we’re going to the museums on the Mall, let’s hit China block on the way; wanna hang out in Georgetown afterwards, let’s hit that place in Roslyn; interested in hitting the baby superstore in Rockville, let’s go to the place in Rockville. All with carts going around; all at least the quality of Chinatown here.

spinynorman99 wrote:

...public market, like Milwaukee Public Market, West Side Market in Cleveland, Pike Place Market in Seattle, etc.

Chicago's French Market is coming in a couple of weeks at MetraMarket in the West Loop. Whether it will be a success is anyone's guess, although my money says it will be a half-assed imitation of the ones you mentioned.

http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com/dl/vendors.pdf

The French Market looks like it might be very interesting, but what are they going to do for parking ? I'm never going to go if I have to pay $18/hr in a lot.

tem wrote:The French Market looks like it might be very interesting, but what are they going to do for parking ? I'm never going to go if I have to pay $18/hr in a lot.

I work right by there, and definitely haven't seen any new parking facilities (lots or otherwise) being developed. However, it's quite possible that they'll strike up a discounted parking deal with one of the nearby high-rises' garages, or one of the surface lots on Jefferson or Desplaines.

tem wrote:The French Market looks like it might be very interesting, but what are they going to do for parking ? I'm never going to go if I have to pay $18/hr in a lot.

If you're in Wicker Park, you can take the 56/Milwaukee bus or, also from Milwaukee, there's a wonderful bike lane practically all the way to the market.

...n opening for an incredibly talented GI pathologist in a clinical setting so we can come home and I can enjoy all of the things Chicago doesn't need again

dansch wrote:As put so well by REB, Chicago needs a butcher that focuses on local, sustainable, heritage meats.

I'll third that one.

LAZ wrote:Upscale doughnut shops.

Mike G wrote:Does such a thing exist anywhere? Or are you saying that even relative to, say, LA's doughnut spots, Chicago's are notably dodgy (which may well be true)?

germuska wrote:I was guessing the reference was to places like Voodoo Donut in Portland, Psycho Donuts in suburban San Jose… that does seem like kind of a no-brainer, if there can be multiple boutique cupcake shops. Donuts totally dominate over cupcakes.

PitaChip wrote:Or Top Pot doughnuts in Seattle. Definitely upscale, definitely real deal doughnuts.

Yes. And Doughnut Plant in NYC. Nobody in Chicago is making Valrhona chocolate or lavender doughnuts.

Mhays wrote:a bakery with coffees and alcohol, frequently both.

LAZ wrote: Artopolis.

Mhays wrote:Thanks, I will definitely check it out when I'm in Greektown next...but just from looking at the website, it doesn't strike me as being the same sort of place: from what I see, it's still primarily a coffeeshop/bakery rather than a late-night dessert/bar with table service.

No, really, that's exactly what it is: A bar and bakery with table service, open late by Chicago standards (midnight for drinks and desserts, IIRC). Drinks menu.

Not at all a coffeeshop ambiance.

They have more food than the baked goods, but the dessert selection is extensive and good.

Next time we have a date night, I will be checking it out!

I'm not sure it exactly fits the bill, but the desserts at Mrs. Murphy's are pretty good. It's a bar, but it also has table seating because it's also a restaurant, and serves both bar and restaurant food. Not really a cafe, but I'm sure you can get a cup of coffee and probably even a cappuccino. The kitchen isn't open REALLY late, but it def. is open post-theater. We go a lot after seeing shows at American Theater Company

Murphy Mrs & Son's Irish Bistro
http://www.irishbistro.com
3905 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 248-3905

American Theater Company
http://atcweb.org
1909 W Byron Chicago, IL 60613

SCUBAchef wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:or a Viennese place...

Exactly. For Viennese, Julius Meinl doesn't do it for me. The pastries are OK, but the selection is too small, and Southport Corridor is not a part of the city I like to frequent. (Don't know if the Julius Meinl by Asado is open yet.)

As for alcohol and coffee, there is a place just off Chicago Ave. and Franklin, on the same block as the Bar Louie there, that is open later and I believe serves both. I don't know what the pastry situation is though. I often wait for the bus on that corner. I'll try to do some recon soon.

LAZ wrote: Nobody in Chicago is making Valrhona chocolate or lavender doughnuts.

Banner quote.

happy_stomach wrote:Don't know if the Julius Meinl by Asado is open yet.

It's open, but it's not a sit down place like the other JM's. The few stools across from the takeout counter do make good seats for voyeurs like me though, as they allow you to peer right into the large and immaculate pastry kitchen while the chefs are at work. Viennese or not, for my money Julius Meinl is tied with Vanille for the best croissants in town.

happy_stomach wrote:Exactly. For Viennese, Julius Meinl doesn't do it for me. The pastries are OK, but the selection is too small, and Southport Corridor is not a part of the city I like to frequent. (Don't know if the Julius Meinl by Asado is open yet.)

The one on Lincoln is not in the Southport Corridor.

Also, the pastries are considerably better than "OK" to me.

Also, I know I'm not the first to say this, but Chicago badly needs an all-you-can-eat Latvian bistro where all the waiters are dressed like pirates.

cilantro wrote:Also, I know I'm not the first to say this, but Chicago badly needs an all-you-can-eat Latvian bistro where all the waiters are dressed like pirates.

Needs to stay open til 3am as well.

cilantro wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:Exactly. For Viennese, Julius Meinl doesn't do it for me. The pastries are OK, but the selection is too small, and Southport Corridor is not a part of the city I like to frequent. (Don't know if the Julius Meinl by Asado is open yet.)

The one on Lincoln is not in the Southport Corridor.

Is there no longer a Julius Meinl at Southport and Addison?

happy_stomach wrote:

cilantro wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:Exactly. For Viennese, Julius Meinl doesn't do it for me. The pastries are OK, but the selection is too small, and Southport Corridor is not a part of the city I like to frequent. (Don't know if the Julius Meinl by Asado is open yet.)

The one on Lincoln is not in the Southport Corridor.

Is there no longer a Julius Meinl at Southport and Addison?

there is, but there is also one on lincoln and montrose in addition to the one by asado.

Kennyz wrote:

happy_stomach wrote:

cilantro wrote:The one on Lincoln is not in the Southport Corridor.

Is there no longer a Julius Meinl at Southport and Addison?

there is, but there is also one on lincoln and montrose in addition to the one by asado.

Ah. Still not a neighborhood I spend much time in, but a better option than Southport.