Dinner near Sheraton Hotel and Towers

I need a little help and I did a search on the forum with no luck.

I have a friend who is coming into town next month and is staying at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers on Water Street. He wants to go to either a good Italian or Steak place. Since this will be his first time in Chicago, I want to take him to a place that is truly Chicago.

Does anyone have any can't miss suggestions for Italian or Steak near the hotel or within a short cab ride. I know that there is a Shula's in the hotel, but its a chain and not truly Chicago...

Thanks.

I had a lovely risotto at Volare, and my dining mate (a Bronx Italian with very high standards for Italian food) had good minestrone and a good piece of veal.

It's not too far to walk

Volare
201 E Grand
312-410-9900

If you're looking for high-end Italian, Spiaggia is clearly one of the best around, and perhaps the most celebrated.

(http://www.levyrestaurants.com/levy/din ... iaggia.htm)

Beyond that, there are many, many, many fine, midlevel, and neighborhood establishments within both walking and easy cab distance of the Sheraton worth visiting, of which Volare is one.

For steaks, a search of Gibson's, Morton's, Keefer's, Gene & Georgetti should get you into the thick of things.

For steak, I can't recommend Smith & Wollenski enough, after just returning from the LTH Winw Week Lunch. It's in Marina City, not far from the Shaeaton. Of course, strictly pseaking S&W is a New York Chain, so it depends on how literally you want to take your "truely Chicago" request. There's always Gibson's and Mortons for "true Chicago" steak houses.

I think that Keefer's, around Kinzie/Dearborn, is an ideal place for steak. Although I find that most steakhouses are very similar (right down to getting the aged beef from the same supplier), I find that Keefer's separates itself by offering different and better side dishes, as well as some great non-beef entrees. Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab is also very good in terms of offering great variety in addition to good aged beef. Both Keefers and Joe's are short cab rides (or 10-15 minute walks) from the Sheraton.

For Italian, and assuming you don't want to break the bank at Spiaggia, I think Merlo on Maple is a great choice. The food is excellent, especially their homemade pastas. You can check out the menu at www.merlochicago.com.

Bumping up this thread because I have a friend staying at the Sheraton for a couple of nights before she starts staying with us. Thanks to Kennyz in another thread for answering my question this morning as to identity of the restaurant at Grand and St. Clair. (Volare.) Now--any other thoughts? Is Aria still recommended, and is it a place one can go after a long day of professional meetings without a change of clothing, or is it more a "special-occasion" place? Is it possible to dine there not super-expensively? Any other thoughts in the immediate area? (Have already thought of Coco Pazzo and Capital Grille.) Thanks!