Tuscany is fabulous, I've never found it less than very good and often excellent. My favorite grilled octopus in town.

Chauffeuring my 15-yr old to/from the Black Eyed Peas at the UC on 3/13 which just happens to be my birthday. Would love some recommendations for a nice dinner (under $150/couple) for that Saturday night that would be moderately reliable about getting us OUT in time to get BACK to the UC before the show lets out so we don't have to fight reverse traffic. Downtown, west Randolph, we'll be driving so the location isn't a huge issue.

Preferences would be something new-ish, we hardly ever get back to the city, reasonable portions for my husband and a diverse enough menu that I can try something great while he can eat a steak.

Thanks!

sujormik wrote:Chauffeuring my 15-yr old to/from the Black Eyed Peas at the UC on 3/13 which just happens to be my birthday. Would love some recommendations for a nice dinner (under $150/couple) for that Saturday night that would be moderately reliable about getting us OUT in time to get BACK to the UC before the show lets out so we don't have to fight reverse traffic. Downtown, west Randolph, we'll be driving so the location isn't a huge issue.

Preferences would be something new-ish, we hardly ever get back to the city, reasonable portions for my husband and a diverse enough menu that I can try something great while he can eat a steak.

Thanks!

one sixtyblue or Blackbird Restaurant might fit your requirements. Plenty of threads here with info about both restaurants. Use the 'search' feature to access them.

one sixtyblue
1400 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
(312)850-0303
http://www.onesixtyblue.com

Blackbird
619 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 715 0708
http://www.blackbirdrestaurant.com/#

Thank you, I remember when onesixtyblue was brand new and we said, sheesh, really like to get there some time. What's it, about 8 years old now? LOL

My friend and I have been taking the free shuttle at Bottom Lounge on Lake & Ogden to/from Blackhawks games. They have good food (typical bar food deluxe menu) and a very good beer list. I'd rather pay $20 for dinner and a beer or 2 than parking at the UC.

ETA: I should add that I think they only do the shuttle for Blackhawks games.

sujormik wrote:Beer Bistro
1061 W Madison
Chicago
312-433-0013

I was just at Beer Bistro this past Tuesday for lunch, of course had $2 burger as it was Tuesday afterall.

Perhaps lucky but my burger was terrific, an actual beef burger cooked to a medium rare, Chris the mgr was all over our table of 6 making sure all was ok.

I've had a few burgers here in the past and they were ok, Tuesday's burger has me thinking about making this a regular stop.

What about food IN the united center?

nmllaf wrote:What about food IN the united center?

Overpriced and not that good. Fairly good alcohol options, though.

If you want to try something a little out of the ordinary that's within reasonable walking distance to the UC, try Sabor Express in Little Italy. It's at Taylor and Racine. It's a BYOB brazilian fast food place. You will definately want to try the steak picanha, and if you come on a weekend, get the feijoada. Just about everything on the menu is amazing, but I would stay away from the hot dogs. I don't know what they do with their hot dogs, but they are disgusting!

hgjones2 wrote:If you want to try something a little out of the ordinary that's within reasonable walking distance to the UC, try Sabor Express in Little Italy. It's at Taylor and Racine. It's a BYOB brazilian fast food place. You will definately want to try the steak picanha, and if you come on a weekend, get the feijoada. Just about everything on the menu is amazing, but I would stay away from the hot dogs. I don't know what they do with their hot dogs, but they are disgusting!

I thought the Brazilian-style hot dogs were kind of interesting, but I agree the rest of the food is better. I love the empanadas.

Sabor Express
http://www.saborexpress.net
1230 West Taylor Street Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-4800