OOT - in Chicago for a few days - what do you recommend...

All,

I'm on one of my occasional trips to Chicago from the other side of the pond next week and would like to do something other than the usual Steakhouse / Pizza Place / "next door to the hotel" type of thing.

Ideally I'd love to go to one of the "underground" ( ) supper evenings - not only a chance to taste great food but actually have a chance to socialise and chat. But from the couple I know in Chicago there doesn't seem to be any next week (bad week for it really I guess).

If anyone has any particular favourites I'd appreciate any ideas. I'm based in the centre but know Chicago enough to get around and not bothered if I have jump in cab, get the L or whatever. As I said, if there is anything with a social element I'd be particularly interested - I can wander into any restaurant with my book - but I enjoy a chance to chat away to "new friends".

And if you're badly looking for someone as dinner company for your annoying sister-in-law who is staying over from Omaha and won't go home - I might consider it

The Doc wrote:Ideally I'd love to go to one of the "underground" ( ) supper evenings - not only a chance to taste great food but actually have a chance to socialise and chat.
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As I said, if there is anything with a social element I'd be particularly interested - I can wander into any restaurant with my book - but I enjoy a chance to chat away to "new friends".

I think you'll find the "new friends" you're looking for by eating at one of Paul Kahan's two restaurants with communal seating arrangements:

Avec
The Publican

You might also want to check the LTH Events Calendar; maybe there's a dining event (LTH or otherwise) you can attend during your stay.

Definitely consider eating at the bar at Avec as listed above, or the Bristol, Bluebird or Big Star. Big Star is probably easiest to get to via El - it's right off the Blue line at Damen. Avec is an easy walk, bus or cab ride from the loop, and both Bluebird and the Bristol are not far, you can take the Blue line to Damen then the Damen bus north, or grab a cab, or walk the one mile up to Bristol. Bluebird is not even 1/2 mile up Damen. And you've also got Violet Hour right at the Damen Blue line stop as well.


Big Star
1531 N Damen Ave
(between Wicker Park Ave & Pierce Ave)
(773) 235-4039

The Bristol
2152 N Damen Avenue
(between Shakespeare Ave & Charleston St)
(773) 862-5555
thebristolchicago.com

The Bluebird
1749 N Damen Ave
(between Bloomingdale Ave & St Paul Ave)
(773) 486-2473
www.bluebirdchicago.com

Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave
(between Wicker Park Ave & Pierce Ave)
(773) 252-1500
www.theviolethour.com

All the previous recommendations are great. If you can get through, Schwa might be worth your while...if you bring a 6-pack for the kitchen, you'll be the best of friends. Don't think of it as a bribe, but as a shibboleth.

The Doc wrote:Ideally I'd love to go to one of the "underground" ( ) supper evenings - not only a chance to taste great food but actually have a chance to socialise and chat. But from the couple I know in Chicago there doesn't seem to be any next week (bad week for it really I guess).

There don't seem to be any going next week, as you note, but if you come to Chicago now and again, you might check out Clandestino: http://www.clandestinodining.com/

Though I'm not part of the group, I suspect that the Evanston Lunch Group would be happy to have you join in on their adventure next week.

leek wrote:Definitely consider eating at the bar at Avec as listed above

Actually, I think you're better off at one of the tables there. They're all eight-tops, so with the communal seating, you'll easily be able to share stories and get to know seven "new friends". At the bar it's tough to talk to anyone past anyone immediately beside you, especially since Avec is rather noisy.

kl1191 wrote:All the previous recommendations are great. If you can get through, Schwa might be worth your while...if you bring a 6-pack for the kitchen, you'll be the best of friends. Don't think of it as a bribe, but as a shibboleth.

I would definitely consider giving Schwa a try. One of the more interesting restaurants in Chicago and one of the more difficult reservations to capture. But next week, because of our typical winter weather and holiday hangover, is usually a light week for restaurants, so you just might score. Since the cooks/chefs do the serving you can often talk up the food with them, unless they're unusually harried, in which case, you'll just get a great meal.

Here's more (with much ins and outs) if you want to explore:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8738

Thanks for the suggestions.

Will certainly try to get to Avec - got to say I enjoy a glass of wine with a book in hand and by the looks of it would be a good spot to drop in late Friday afternoon or something.

Would love to join the lunch group but I don't think I will be in town early enough - only getting on Tuesday - but thanks for suggestion. I might keep an eye out next time I'm over.

Schwa looks interesting if a little out of the centre - but will bring the details and if I can get out of having to do the work thing one of the evenings I might make the trip over - beats sitting in a hotel as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks again everyone

The Doc wrote:Schwa looks interesting if a little out of the centre - but will bring the details and if I can get out of having to do the work thing one of the evenings I might make the trip over - beats sitting in a hotel as far as I'm concerned.

Schwa definitely requires a call ahead, and same day reservation is unlikely unless you get through on the phone right after a cancellation.

The Doc wrote:Will certainly try to get to Avec - got to say I enjoy a glass of wine with a book in hand and by the looks of it would be a good spot to drop in late Friday afternoon or something.

Don't bother bringing a book; it's way too noisy to read. Besides, as a solo, you'll probably be seated quickly, alongside some of those "new friends".

nsxtasy wrote:

The Doc wrote:Will certainly try to get to Avec - got to say I enjoy a glass of wine with a book in hand and by the looks of it would be a good spot to drop in late Friday afternoon or something.

Don't bother bringing a book; it's way too noisy to read. Besides, as a solo, you'll probably be seated quickly, alongside some of those "new friends".

I always bring a book anyway. Sometimes those "new friends" turn out to be really annoying people. Pretending to be engrossed in the pages of a good book is more appropriate than pretending to be wrapped up in a heated text message exchange on your cell phone.

Kennyz wrote:Sometimes those "new friends" turn out to be really annoying people.

Communal seating does have its downside risks!

nsxtasy wrote:

Kennyz wrote:Sometimes those "new friends" turn out to be really annoying people.

Communal seating does have its downside risks!

Hey - I might be one of those