Suggestion for restaurant for Sun. dinner in Loop, please...

Dear All:

I've searched through old postings already but not found any suggestions that fit my criteria--so now I throw myself upon the wisdom of my fellow LTHers...! So please accept my apologies in advance for adding to the "where do I go?" threads...but I really am at a loss...

I am meeting a colleague for dinner Sunday night (tomorrow!) and need a recommendation for a nice restaurant in the Loop. My colleague is staying at the Hotel Monaco at Wabash and Wacker, and I was hoping to find a non-touristy place either a short walk/short cab ride away. Several of my first choices (Blackbird, Naha) are not open on Sunday, alas.

I think I'd like to avoid the steakhouse genre; otherwise I'm open. Chicago ambiance would be nice. Moderate would be nice, but expensive-ish would be okay. I was considering MK but I've heard some really mixed things about it recently, so now I'm a bit hesitant to commit without exploring other options.

Thank you for any and all suggestions!!

Ysabeau

Ps. I've been in Chicago a year now and would have long ago starved if it wasn't for LTH--I enjoy all your posts so very much...

Although Blackbird is closed, Avec is open and a great choice. I'd choose that or, if I was wanting sushi, might opt for Meiji.

I live near the Monaco and share your Sunday dining frustration. I recommend you try the Atwood Cafe. It's a charming, historic Chicago room with wonderful food and attentive service. Prices are moderate and it's only a couple of blocks from the hotel.

Atwood Cafe
1 W. Washington St.
(312) 368-1900
http://www.atwoodcafe.com

There are any number of restaurants to consider and while I'm not certain about their hours here (in no specific order) are some restaurants I'd consider for a nice evening out.

Quartino
Osteria via Stato
Marche
Carnivale
Opera
Gioco
Capital Grille
Joe's Seafood

Many of these have a lot of hype but I can honestly say that all of them have given me a very nice evening and a good meal. And sometimes...especially if you're meeting a friend -- that's really all you want. Quartino is very loud, Osteria is not at all loud. Joe's and Capital Grille are really $$$$ oriented but the food is usually worth it. Personally, I love Gioco -- I threw a party in their back room once, it was an actual speakasy and it was a really successful night. The food is simply delicious and I loved the exposed brick. Opera has the theater of watching the cook and Carnivale is a party just to walk into. I can also say that the Atwood Cafe is usually a nice lunch but at dinner I've been disappointed.

There's also any number of places in Greektown that would be a nice evening out -- and probably a little easier on your pocketbook than MK or any of the above suggestions. Santorini does an especially nice job of all the "let's pretend we're on the Aegean" places.

One of those has to be open on a Sunday night. Doesn't it?

good luck!

s

I would highly recommend Red Light. Fantastic thai-fusion cooking in a great atmosphere. I also second Carnivale.

If you don't mind a short cab ride and a pricey meal, I would opt for Spiaggia. Great food, great view and terrific service. They're open on Sunday.