Best Restaurants for Visitors in the Loop

Hi all!
What are the absolute best restaurants around the Loop, near St. Jane Hotel?

A friend is asking for a friend. Money is no object, if you feel me.

Oriole is a mile away and fits the money is no object, want the best bill. West loop generally isn't that far away and then you can go wherever, otherwise, RPM, Topo, Purple Pig, GT...the "best" in the loop is mostly steak imo.

Petterino's is nice and close.

http://www.petterinos.com/

Maple & Ash, Purple Pig, RPM Steak, Oriole, Mortons, etc.. are all great for those with high end budget (minus Purple Pig).

Miller's Pub
134 S Wabash Ave, Chicago

Miller’s is fine for what it is. But what it is is not a contender for the best.

I really enjoyed my last visit to Travelle at the Langham. Nice views, too.

http://www.travellechicago.com/

With one exception, all of the above accept reservations and making them is recommended. (And for desirable times at Oriole and RPM Steak, you'll need to make them WAY in advance.)

The exception is Purple Pig, and while the food is terrific, I would include a couple of caveats with any mention. First, at most times that they're open, the wait can be anywhere from 75 to 150 minutes. Second, this spring they are moving down the street, and presumably may be closed for a little while during the move (and also the new address at 444 N Michigan should be mentioned).

The comment about most of the nice places being steakhouses applies primarily to River North, not to the Loop itself or the West Loop. It's not clear whether adjacent neighborhoods are okay for the OP, but I've had some wonderful meals in the West Loop recently, at Bellemore, City Mouse, Smyth, and La Sardine.

EDITED TO ADD: I was going to mention Everest, the only true fine dining restaurant in the Loop itself and still outstanding, then realized you're looking for places near the St. Jane (formerly the Hard Rock), which is in the northeast corner of the Loop, almost a mile away. Given the distance (one block from the St Jane), I think the previously-mentioned Travelle is a fine choice, although I haven't been there since chef Tim Graham left to open Twain.

Sepia

I compiled a list of downtown venues having happy hour specials [weekday afternoons]. One of the first venues I landed at was The Remington on north Michigan Ave. (barely ).
I will refer in here on LTHF's Best thing you've eaten [lately] thread its crispy chicken sliders; a happy hour special. (To go into more detail when I make that reply.)
Suffice to state it is a solid venue downtown to bring people.
By request, here is a photo of its menu.
I paste in the text file. Do note that the prices may be old.
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Acanto, 8 South Michigan Ave. (312) 578-0763.M-F 2:30PM-5:30PM. Wine $8-$10, Draft beer $5, cocktail $7. All pizza’s $10. Menu on website.
Beatrix Market DePaul Loop, 23 E. Jackson Blvd 312-583-0598. M-F 2:00PM–5:00PM. $5 wine: select red & white by the glass. Menu on website.
Berghoff, 17 W. Adams, 312-427-3170. M-Th 4PM-7PM Discount appetizers, Rotating Draft Beer Stein
$6, Well Drinks, $7 House Wine. Menu on website.
Broken English, 75 E Lake St, (312) 929-3601. M-F 4-7PM. $4 Mexican beer, $5 Tequila, $6 margaritas, $7 sangria. Menu on website.
Catch 35: 35 E. Wacker Drive. M-F 4:00PM – 6:00PM 1/2 off bar
City Social, 120 N. LaSalle, (312) 888-2968. M-W 3PM-6PM $3 select can and bottle beer, $5 featured draft, $6 select wine, $5 cocktails. Save money with Spring Rewards. Menu on website.
Commons Club, Virgin Hotel, 203 N. Wabash, 312.940.4400. M-F 3-6PM. Menu on website. Food $7-12, draft beer $5, wine and cocktails $8.
Elephant & Castle, 111 W. Adams, 312-236-6656 and 185 N. Wabash Ave. 312-345-1710. Menu on website. Daily specials.
Emerald Loop, 216 North Wabash Avenue 312-263-0200. Daily food specials. Happy hour M-F 4PM-6PM $6 drafts and well drinks, $4 domestic bottles. $2.50-$7 food specials.
Exchequer Restaurant & Pub, 226 S Wabash Ave, (312) 939-5633. No happy hour. Every day cheap prices. Large beer selection. Good pizza. Wine $8-$12, Save money with Spring Rewards.
Free Rein, St. Jane Hotel, 224 N. Michigan 312-345-1000. M-F 4-6PM Select $5 beer, $6 wine and $7-$8 cocktails. Bites from $6-$14.
Italian Village, 71 W. Monroe, 312-332-7005. $5 Roman Sangria, $4 Prosecco, $3 Peroni and complimentary pizza, all three bars M-F from 3-6 pm.
Land & Lake Kitchen, LondonHouse, 81 E. Wacker Dr, (312) 253-2337. M-F 4-7PM, Menu on website. Food $3-$6, Beer 3$-4$, cocktails and wine $5,
Latinicity, Block 37, 108 N. State St., 3rd Fl. M-Sat 4-6PM Menu on website. $3 tequila shots, $4 select beers, $6 select cocktails, $20 cocktail pitchers.
McCormick & Schmick’s, One E. Wacker Dr., Bar and patio (summer) area only. 312-923-7226. M-F 4p-6:30p. Menu on website.
Morton’s The Steakhouse, 65 E. Wacker Place, 312-240-0140. M-F 4PM-7PM. Select $5.50 beer, $8 wines, $9 specialty cocktails. $8-10 appetizers.
Petterino’s, 150 N. Dearborn, 312-422-0150. M–F 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM. $5 sliders, $5 draft beer. Thursday Bacon-wrapped Shrimp and Guacamole & chips for $5
Pizano’s, 61 E. Madison, 312-236-1777. Daily specialty cocktails around $11. Wednesday 1/2 off bottles of wine. Thursday $5 martini’s margaritas and Manhattans.
Porter Kitchen & Deck, 150 N Riverside, (312) 781-7580. M-Th 3:30pm-5:30PM; F 3:30PM-7PM. Now through 12/31/18 Join MY4C get $10 free
Remington’s, 20 N. Michigan, (312) 782-6000. M-F, 4PM-6PM. $5 drafts, $7 specialty cocktails, $5-$7 wine glasses, $2 oysters, $5 ceviche, $4 fried chicken sliders.
Rosebud Prime, 1 S. Dearborn St., 312.384.1900. M-F 4PM-6PM. 1/2 Prime time menu such as burger $9, ribs $7.5. $5 House Wine, $3 Domestic Beer.
Rudy’s Bar & Grill, 69 East Madison St., 312-332-8111. Menu on website. Everyday: 1/2 apps 3pm-5pm.
Sidebar Grill, 221 N LaSalle St,(312) 739-3900. M-F Daily specials Menu on website. Now through 12/31/18 Join MY4C get $10 free
State and Lake, 201 N. State, (312) 239-9400. $5 beers and bites. Save money with Seated.
Stock and Ledger, 70 W. Madison, (312) 754-0395. M-F 3-7 pm, Sat 5-8 pm. Menu
Tesori, 65 E Adams St, (312) 786-9911. M-F 4–6pm, Sat. 12–3pm and Sun. 1–3pm. Mon: $10 pizza & any beer, Tues: $5 any wine on tap, Wed: $6 any wine by the glass, Thurs: $5 specialty cocktails. Fri: $5 sangria by the glass, Saturday & Sunday: $10 pizza & any wine by the glass. I walked by on a Sat. and they were closed at lunchtime. Call first!
Toni Patisserie, 65 E. Washington St., (312) 726‑2020. M-F 4-7pm 1/2 off select wine by the glass, $10 specialty cocktail.
III Forks, 180 N Field Blvd, (312) 938-4303. M-F 4-6PM. 1/2 off draft beer and select cocktails and $1 oysters. In Nov 2018 they had 1/2 off glasses of wine and $9 burgers which are a great deal. Some Fridays they do not offer happy hour. Call first!
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Money is No Object
Next + Aviary for cocktails (reservation required)
Smythe & Sons
RM Champagne Lounge
Nico Osteria (Haven't been since One Off packed up the wagons)
Blackbird
Milk Room at Chicago Athletic Association (CAA)
Tea Service The Lobby (Peninsula Hotel)

Chicago At Its Finest
Sweet Maple Breakfast/Lunch Only (get the biscuit)
Little Goat Diner staples with some farm-selected and or seasonal ingredients + goat served a few different ways, good coffee (Open for Breakfast Lunch, and Dinner)
GNR Manny's
GNR Xoco
GNR Avec
GNR Lao Sze Chuan (Chinatown)


Good and Convenient

The Dearborn (There dessert menu is seasonal and incredible)
Sweet Green (Chain, but the salads are incredible, oh and it is cashless)
Cochon Volant
Petterino's
Revival Food Hall
Food Stalls at 7 on State (7th Floor of Macy's, State Street, -- take the express elevator to 7 from the 1st floor or the basement), MBurger, Frontera, Takashi Noodles

pudgym29 wrote: I compiled a list of downtown venues having happy hour specials [weekday afternoons]. One of the first venues I landed at was The Remington on north Michigan Ave. (barely ).
I will refer in here on LTHF's Best thing you've eaten [lately] thread its crispy chicken sliders; a happy hour special. (To go into more detail when I make that reply.)
Suffice to state it is a solid venue downtown to bring people.

Nice! Would you mind sharing the Happy Hour list?

Also, for some reason, your Best Thing link isn't working.

second Remington
also love Trattoria 10, which gets less love than it deserves.
great service, great food, great wine

irisarbor wrote:second Remington
also love Trattoria 10, which gets less love than it deserves.
great service, great food, great wine

Trattoria 10 is often the odd man out. I've never had a bad meal there, and it walking distance for us, but yet we sort of think of it as a "Before Theatre" place and seldom go otherwise, I have no idea why.

Trattoria 10 is one of my favorites. I second the "not enough love" stance.

chicagojim wrote:

irisarbor wrote:second Remington
also love Trattoria 10, which gets less love than it deserves.
great service, great food, great wine

Trattoria 10 is often the odd man out. I've never had a bad meal there, and it is walking distance for us, but yet we sort of think of it as a "Before Theatre" place and seldom go otherwise, I have no idea why.

chicagojim wrote:

irisarbor wrote:second Remington
also love Trattoria 10, which gets less love than it deserves.
great service, great food, great wine

Trattoria 10 is often the odd man out. I've never had a bad meal there, and it walking distance for us, but yet we sort of think of it as a "Before Theatre" place and seldom go otherwise, I have no idea why.

It’s always unremarkable to me.

Does Italian Village Hold Up in 2019? (Chicago Magazine)

"Italian Village is in a good place, figuratively and literally. As long as the surrounding theater district continues to funnel in customers, the Village and La Cantina — for better or worse — will reap the benefits. I’ll be at Vivere, which could take its place among Chicago’s best Italian restaurants if Phillips is in for the long haul. But if history has shown us anything, it’s that Italian Village doesn’t need positive reviews to survive."

nsxtasy wrote:Does Italian Village Hold Up in 2019? (Chicago Magazine)

I really like Italian Village; I'll pass that along.