Reasonable eats near loop?

A publisher I know is coming to town and wants to treat a lot of her authors (me too!) to a free meal. She and her coterie are staying at the House of Blues, and she wants a place within walking distance, which comprises a lot of places, I know. She says about $30 PER ENTREE is her price limit.

I like good food but haven't eaten at a lot of places right in downtown. Can anybody recommend something good in this price range?

Thanks!

You could go right next door to Bin 36, the wine bar/restaurant. It's a nice, large, open room. They have a huge sellection of wines by the glass or by the flight, and in 6 oz. or 2.5oz. pours.

As for the food, I have to confess I've never had a main dish; I always go there for appetizers and drinks. They recently added a cheese bar, and you get now get about 50 different cheeses (if you don't want to pick, they have cheese flights). Someone else will have to chime in on the food, but if you think wine drinking and cheese sampling would be a good part of the meal, it's literally next door and I think fits the price range.

Jonah

Bin 36 is a nice place -- i concur on the recommendation.

Also within walking distance is Harry Caray's, which is about a block and half away and is kind of a quintessential Chicago-y italian steakhouse-y kinda place. Lots of pictures of Harry (natch) but generally fun atmosphere...it should definitely fit your $30 per entree limit. Across the street from Harry's is Keefer's Steakhouse which is rather cool and corporate but it's pretty tasty.

Any of those three will fit your bill.

s

Frontera Grill might be an option; it's in the loop area, has a wonderful line-up of items, and is the creation of author/chef Rick Bayless.

I don't know how many are coming, but there are private rooms, if you want 'em.

Frontera Grill
445 N. Clark St., Chicago
Tel: (312) 661-1434

You could walk across the river to McCormick & Schmick's or Catch 35. Or, for steak with views of the river, consider Smith and Wollensky.