Late Night Restaurant for a Friend

A friend is coming to Chicago late this month and has most of his dining spots booked. However, he needs a spot for the day he's arriving. He figures that by the time he checks in at the Four Seasons, it will be about 10:00 pm before he can get to dinner. So he's looking for a place closeby. He's amenable to both high and low end. I know he's booked at Alinea, eg. But he's also planning on hitting Indian on Devon.

TIA

Extramsg,

Here's 4 wildly different late night options, all within an easy cab ride of the Four Seasons.

'Little' Three Happiness
Salt and pepper shell-on shrimp, crisp, both rice and wheat, noodle dishes, good selection of veggies, pea shoot, ong choi etc., and killer crispy skin chicken.

Kababish
Inexpensive Pakistani-Indian food in what is often called a taxi driver setting, though I've since learned is more appropriately referred to as dhaba. Somewhat stark ambiance. Inexpensive, rotating selection of lentils, stews, King fish, charga chicken and freshly griddled breads.

Smith and Wollensky
Downstairs Grill Room serves dry aged steaks, burgers, seafood, both hot and cold, until, at minimum, midnight. Nice view of the Chicago river, active, but not overpowering bar scene, frequented by restaurant industry people, and friendly, yet professional, Irish bartenders.

Bijan's
Nicely dressed crowd of upscale late night drinkers, decent, especially for late night, steaks, salads, burgers, pretty much all the usual suspects. More of a bar scene, though late night food does not get short shrift, with the off chance of seeing a local, or not so local celebrity.

Enjoy,
Gary

Kababish
939 N. Orleans
Chicago, IL 60610
312-642-8622
24/7

Bijan's Bistro
663 N State St
Chicago, IL 60610 View Map
312-202-1904
Serves until 1am most nights

'Little' Three Happiness
209 W Cermak Rd
Chicago, IL 60616
312-842-1964
4am

Smith & Wollensky
318 N State St
Chicago, IL
312-670-9900

extramsg:

How about a tapas place? Café Iberico is pretty close to the Four Seasons (a pleasant walk, if I'm right about where I think the Four Seasons is) and the hours should work, no matter which day of the week your friend arrives, though Sunday might be a little tight.

Café Iberico
739 N LaSalle St
Chicago, IL 60605
312.573.1510

Mon-Thu 11am-11:30pm
Fri 11am-1:30am
Sat noon-1:30am
Sun noon-11pm

Antonius

G Wiv wrote:Bijan's
Nicely dressed crowd of upscale late night drinkers, decent, especially for late night, steaks, salads, burgers, pretty much all the usual suspects. More of a bar scene, though late night food does not get short shrift, with the off chance of seeing a local, or not so local celebrity.

I'd skip Bijan's. The old Bijan was gritty and authentic. This one is just as loud and smoky, but plastic, as is the food (and much of the clientele).

For somewhere in this genre, but more real, try 3rd Coast.

3rd Coast Cafe
312/649-0730
http://www.3rdcoastcafe.com
1260 N. Dearborn St.
Chicago, IL 60610
7 a.m.-2 a.m. M-Th; -4 a.m. F;
8 a.m.-4 a.m. Sa; -2 a.m. Su

Another suggestion would be Greektown. Greek Islands is a favorite of mine. Huge, noisy and often full of tourists, but they import many of their ingredients directly from Greece and they have such a huge volume that everything is always fresh. Make a point of trying the loukanico (Greek sausage), which is on the mix-and-match section of the menu.

Greek Islands
312/782-9855
http://www.greekislands.net
200 S. Halsted St.
(entrance on Adams)
Chicago IL 60661
11 a.m.-12 a.m. M-Th; -1 a.m. F-Sa

I love the Greek Islands. My favorite memory stems from a night drinking at the bar with my father. As we were wandering down Adams Street, we heard the valet shouting. When we lurched closer, we could see he had a loaf of bread, extended toward the dark recesses of their valet lot. "Here Keety, Keety. Here Keety, Keety," he kept repeating. Then we noticed a rat the size of a Jack Russell Terrier scurrying toward him.

. . . and if your friend is looking for something light nearby, the Chestnut Grill is about a block away. Their wine bar serves food until 2 am most days and 1 am on Sunday.

Respectable salads, wine-bar stuff, and some good specials in a very pleasant atmosphere for winding down.


Chestnut Grill & Wine Bar
200 E. Chestnut
312-266-4500

JohnB wrote:a rat the size of a Jack Russell Terrier

This must have been some time ago. Given the neighborhood's high profile as a tourist destination, the rat patrol is pretty active there. I've certainly never seen any rats in Greektown.

Devon Avenue, on the other hand ... I make it a point not to drive through the alleys there, ever since a Sumatran-sized rodent nearly stopped my car.

The 24 hour "Maxwell Street Polish" stands near Halsted and Roosevelt are a must way to appreciate Chicago food. Try both stands and vote. Or if really hungry, do the ReneG cycle: hamburger, polish, hot dog and pork chop, all with grilled onions--it's debatle if it is necessary to eat all the fries.

I would go to Avec. I go every chance I can. I just went on Monday and, as always, the food blew me away. They serve until Midnight at least everyday except Sunday. Dining alone? - At the bar is a fantastic option.