North Pond .... Lou Malnati's .... it's such a tough decision

Yeah i know...flip a coin....LOL
Maybe they will have time for both of em?
Never been to North Pond yet whats there special hott dish they do?

Cbot wrote:Never been to North Pond yet whats there special hott dish they do?

There's no single dish that they are known for. They specialize in regional and seasonal cuisine, with meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetarian choices. Their style is to have a lot of different things on the plate; the main item is often surrounded by several different accompaniments, each of which is interesting in its own right. Check out the menus on their website at northpondrestaurant.com.

nsxtasy wrote:

Cbot wrote:Never been to North Pond yet whats there special hott dish they do?

There's no single dish that they are known for. They specialize in regional and seasonal cuisine, with meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetarian choices. Their style is to have a lot of different things on the plate; the main item is often surrounded by several different accompaniments, each of which is interesting in its own right. Check out the menus on their website at northpondrestaurant.com.

Even when they're doing non-regional, they do it well. The last time I was there I had some kind of lobster stew-like appetizer (I forget what they called it), and besides containing some decent-sized bites of lobster meat, the whole thing really was redolent of the flavor of fresh lobster. I doubted the dish could be found done much better in New England.

WOW!!

Thanks for all the replies everyone, I'll think about it tonight and make my reservations by Tuesday.

Thanks for steering me away from the Cruise =] Friday night we are in Joilet, then Saturday morning we head to downtown to hang out untill Monday evening. I want to do the whole tourist thing up-n-down Michigan Ave, go see the bean, ice skate, go eat pizza, the 2 story McDonalds, Sears tower, drinks @ signature room etc etc...sounds a bit cold to go hit up the Navy Pier though =p

Y'all have a good night, boy its cold up there this week

So for the lightning round....dun dun dun


Everest, or North Pond? Remember, were from the south and like to see the big pretty lights =]

jetter2 wrote:I want to do the whole tourist thing up-n-down Michigan Ave, go see the bean, ice skate, go eat pizza, the 2 story McDonalds, Sears tower, drinks @ signature room etc etc...

...

Everest, or North Pond? Remember, were from the south and like to see the big pretty lights =]

The good news is you've narrowed it down to two great choices -- so either way you go, it's gonna be amazing. (In fact, i myself had narrowed down to these two for my 10th wedding anniversary -- the fates ended up choosing for me, as Everest was booked solid that night.)

Here's how i look at it: you guys will be spending lots of time in the loop/mag mile/river north area, and you will get good views from Sears Tower and the Signature Room. SO eating in a place with a view might not give you that much more.

North Pond is in the park, which will let you see that as well as the very nice view back to the city; is in a very cool building; and has great food. It would give you a reason to stretch out check out a different 'hood, and to see a little bit of the city as us residents see it.

Enjoy your trip, and report back!
best,
-jim

jetter2 wrote:Y'all have a good night, boy its cold up there this week

You should also be aware that we're expecting three snowstorms this week: tomorrow morning, Tuesday night into Wednesday, and again on Friday. The mid-week storm is expected to be the biggest.

The city does not shut down when it snows or when it gets cold; however, it can make getting around town inconvenient. Walking a short distance is generally reliable, although it can be unpleasant if you have to go far. Cabs can be hard to flag down, or even to catch at a hotel (although that's often the easiest place, especially if there is a doorman/valet to tip). The el is usually reliable, as long as it's convenient to where you're going; they have heaters on the elevated platforms (but they don't cover a wide area). Buses are reliable but if you have to wait a while for one in the cold or snow, the wait can be unpleasant.

Bring a warm coat, a warm hat, and waterproof boots that you don't mind if they get slopped on.

Everest, or North Pond? Remember, were from the south and like to see the big pretty lights =]

If you want to see the big pretty lights, then North Pond is the answer. The Lincoln Park Zoo, which you can wander through after or before your dinner - (at least I think you can wander at least by it after dinner) is completely lit up in fantastical holiday fashion right now -- they have a major festival of lights going on. Just riding past it on the bus is a wonderful experience. It's a holiday wonderland, complete with bears and monkeys.

Enjoy your trip -- don't let winter get in the way!

Just confirmed my reservations @ Everest for Saturday..asked for a window seat so we will see how it goes.

This is her first time in the Windy City, I've been up there frequently (all during winter I might add...I've been trying to get up there during the summer to do the river tours n stuff') so I know how to dress, were all buttoned up with our dress and everything, were just excited for a chance to get up there.

So far my "to do" list is something like;

-Willis Tower observation Deck
-Eat @ Everest
-Stay with my boss to show some good cheap local food
-See the bean/ ice skate
-See Lincoln Park
-March all up and down the Magnificent Mile
-Attend Sunday's BlackHawks Game
-Shop
-Bar Hop =]

Feel free to throw in any other "must do's " for us..this is kind of a special occasion for us so I want her to soak in as much as she can

jetter2 wrote:Feel free to throw in any other "must do's " for us..this is kind of a special occasion for us so I want her to soak in as much as she can

Food things - It depends on what she likes. Of course, we have all kinds of restaurants (and if there's one local "must do" besides a nice romantic dinner, it's our delicious deep-dish pizza!). Some of the non-restaurant food attractions here include Fox & Obel, our premier gourmet grocery store, for everything from meats and cheeses to baked goods (their cinnamon swirl rolls are amazing) etc; The Spice House; chocolates at Piron in Evanston, Vosges on the North Side, and Canady in the South Loop; and the yummy caramel popcorn and cheese popcorn at Garrett's.

Non-food things, heck, also depend on what she likes - Art? The Art Institute. Zoos/aquariums? Lincoln Park Zoo, Brookfield Zoo, Shedd Aquarium. You get the idea - and you already have a nice plan outlined above! There are too many things to do in Chicago to list even the highlights here, but you can find lots of details on the website of the city's tourism bureau at choosechicago.com.

Enjoy your visit!

http://www.christkindlmarket.com/

. . . and have a brat.

Two comments:

Not much of "Lincoln Park" to see, really. It's pretty, but it's pretty much just a park. YMMV.

There are obviously many who disagree, but deep dish "Chicago" pizza sucks....

To the OP, dont get married.

basis wrote:Not much of "Lincoln Park" to see, really. It's pretty, but it's pretty much just a park. YMMV.

Not true. Not at all.

First, Lincoln Park is home to one of our two large zoos. Lincoln Park Zoo is also one of the only major zoos in the country with free admission. There's a special ZooLights presentation at the zoo this time of year, and it's beautiful after dark. That being said, much of the zoo is outdoors, and this time of year...

Indoor attractions in Lincoln Park include the Lincoln Park Conservatory (botanicals), and there's also a working Farm in the Zoo. Like the zoo, both offer free admission. And the Chicago History Museum - some guides to the city may refer to it by its former name, the Chicago Historical Society - is located at the south end of the park.

And, as previously noted, Lincoln Park is also the location of North Pond, the restaurant and its namesake pond. Since you're going to Everest for your dinner, you might consider Sunday brunch at North Pond. There are other nice restaurants facing the park, including L2O and Mon Ami Gabi, and more in the adjacent neighborhood.

As for our deep-dish pizza, it's absolutely delicious. Try it and decide for yourself.

nsxtasy wrote:As for our deep-dish pizza, it's absolutely delicious. Try it and decide for yourself.

Not universally true. If the place says "Uno Chicago Grill," that's a synonym for "avoid." If it says Pizzeria Uno, or Pizzeria Due, on Ohio or Ontario, then I'll agree with nsxtasy wholeheartedly.

nr706 wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:As for our deep-dish pizza, it's absolutely delicious. Try it and decide for yourself.

Not universally true. If the place says "Uno Chicago Grill," that's a synonym for "avoid." If it says Pizzeria Uno, or Pizzeria Due, on Ohio or Ontario, then I'll agree with nsxtasy wholeheartedly.

No quibble here. I'm referring to authentic Chicago deep-dish pizza. In both styles. For the single-crust "pizza in the pan" style, that means Lou Malnati's, Pizano's, and only the original locations of Pizzeria Uno and Pizzeria Due in River North, not the locations of "Uno Chicago Grill" with their ersatz imitation. Many folks also like the other style, the double-crust "stuffed" pizza, at Giordano's, Bacino's, and Edwardo's. Either style (of the real stuff, as nr706 aptly notes) is something you can only have here, not back home in Dallas. Try it!

jetter2 wrote:Hi all! New Member from Dallas here, but I am frequently in the Windy City on Business. We hare having our holiday party next weekend and I will be attending that with my girlfriend, so I'm looking for some suggestions...

My lady and I will be at the Drake from next Friday through Monday..I've been looking at a great "can't forget Chicago" type Dinner.

I was thinking about an Oddesy Cruise, but I wonder if sailing out on 12/14 for dinner will be too cold...which led be to looking at someplace nice like the Everest.

What are you guy's favorite high-end Chicago restraunts and why?

So where did you guys go & was it any good?

These are not very high end places, and not very "Chicago" in the sense of food, but certainly lend to romanticism.

Try the cresent room seeting in Tizi Melloul or having greek pizza then bakery goods at Artopolis Cafe.

McClane wrote:These are not very high end places, and not very "Chicago" in the sense of food, but certainly lend to romanticism.

Malnati's and Uno and Due may not be very high end, but their food is as "Chicago" as you can get. Everest is definitely high end, one of the top 5-10 high-end places in the city. North Pond is in the tier of "casual fine dining" places just below that, which means it's as high end as you can get short of those same 6-10 places.

Still hoping to hear back from jetter2...

the not very "Chicago" line was about my recs...ease off

Lou's is (at least according to Foodtv [insert joke here]) the very definition of "Chicago" food

I'm looking for recommendations for my anniversary dinner next month. I want to go somewhere very nice, with great food. I am willing to try new things, but im not much into more exotic food selections. Also im by no means a hardcore foodie and I want to go somewhere where the staff makes me feel comfortable instead of stupid. Anybody have any recommendations?

Thanks

Are you looking in a particular part of town? Since you disclaim your interest in "exotic" or "hard core" food, can you give an example of a place or cuisine you like?

It would also help to know if you have a particular budget in mind.

For an expensive, formal (i.e. jackets required for gentlemen), romantic dinner, I love Everest. It features delicious contemporary French/Alsatian cuisine from Jean Joho. The view from the 40th floor of the Midwest Stock Exchange Building in the Loop is breathtakingly romantic. They have one of the best wine lists in the city, including the best selection of Alsatian wines in the country. And the service is exquisite, the best service I have received anywhere. Expect to pay $175-250 per person including alcohol/wine/tax/tip. A bit less if you go for the set 3-course pre-theater prix fixe menu (around $50) available for 5:00/5:30 seatings.

For a somewhat more casual but still elegant romantic dinner, North Pond is one of my favorites. The cuisine from Bruce Sherman is contemporary American (and excellent). The setting is exquisite; it's in the middle of Lincoln Park (the park itself, rather than the adjacent neighborhood of the same name). The front room looks out on its namesake pond, with the city skyline looming over the far shore. But even the rear room, with the open kitchen, is romantic too. The renovated building once served as a warming shelter for ice skaters on the pond in winter. Expect to pay $85-120 per person inclusive.

You may want to also check out the suggestions in this previous discussion:

Ideas for a Nice Romantic Dinner

You might also want to do a search for "romantic" on the Eating Out in Chicagoland board specifying topic titles only. Several threads on a similar topic exist.

We had our anniversary dinner at Spiaggia this past fall and couldn't have been more delighted. The staff was extremely accommodating and it was a pleasure to discover they are very open about the tasting menu policy. It's always a drag to be told "if one orders each must order" as some places do but they were like "order whatever you want. See something on the tasting menu you want a la carte? We can do that, too". We ended up both going with the tasting menus (me with the Roman and she with the Balsamic) and trading off with each other to sample as much as possible. Everything was outstanding - I even got my wife to try veal heart which she was surprised to find she liked! It wasn't cheap but it was, in our opinion, well worth it.

Kman wrote:It's always a drag to be told "if one orders each must order" as some places do but they were like "order whatever you want. See something on the tasting menu you want a la carte? We can do that, too".

FWIW, my experience with such restaurants in Chicago (and New York) is, the rule "if one orders the tasting menu, all must do so" is commonly enforced. But most places are happy to make available a dish on the tasting menu for those ordering a la carte (some going so far as to mention this proactively as Spiaggia did, while others are willing to do when asked but won't say so up front).

On a recent trip to Las Vegas, I was pleased to find that the high-end restaurants there (Joel Robuchon, Alex, Guy Savoy) allow mixed ordering at a table, i.e. some diners ordering a la carte while others got the tasting menu. As already noted, that typically doesn't happen here.

Like I said im not exactly afraid to try new things, but i generally like more traditional dishes. Not much into raw food, or much in the way of organs (liver, hearts). Money really isnt an issue if I think we will like the place. I have no problem going to a very high end jackets required type place, as long as the environment is comfortable. Keep the recommendations coming. I appreciate the help. Oh also we are flying into chicago for the first time, staying on the mag mile so probably something not too far out of the way would be best. Thanks.

edit- It also doesn't necessarily need to be the most high-end of places. If it is simply a nice place, with a romantic atmosphere and good food that would do just fine. Basically im open to a range of places, and suggestions. Just looking for some recommendations from people who have actually eaten at the places I have looked at online

mueltrain54 wrote:we are flying into chicago for the first time, staying on the mag mile so probably something not too far out of the way would be best.

Of the three places mentioned since your post, Spiaggia is at the north end of the Mag Mile; North Pond and Everest are both roughly a 10-minute cab ride (2-3 miles north and 1-2 miles south, respectively).

mueltrain54 wrote:Just looking for some recommendations from people who have actually eaten at the places I have looked at online

If there are places you have looked at and are considering them, please feel free to mention their names and we can help describe ones we've been to. Or, you can use the Search function on this site (look above, just to the right of FAQ) to find previous discussions on them here on LTH.

Spiaggia or Les Nomades should do the trick. I like Everest, but you'd have to take a cab there and back.

mueltrain54 wrote:Like I said im not exactly afraid to try new things, but i generally like more traditional dishes. Not much into raw food, or much in the way of organs (liver, hearts). Money really isnt an issue if I think we will like the place. I have no problem going to a very high end jackets required type place, as long as the environment is comfortable. Keep the recommendations coming. I appreciate the help. Oh also we are flying into chicago for the first time, staying on the mag mile so probably something not too far out of the way would be best. Thanks.

edit- It also doesn't necessarily need to be the most high-end of places. If it is simply a nice place, with a romantic atmosphere and good food that would do just fine. Basically im open to a range of places, and suggestions. Just looking for some recommendations from people who have actually eaten at the places I have looked at online

Based on all of this, I think Les Nomades would be perfect for you.