*CtMiller*

Lauren&Joe

Thanks so much for all the great advice on the Chicago post. I tried the Rick Bayless restaurants, and they are all booked. We are looking for a place on Satruday night for our anniversary. To give you an example we typically got to Boca in Oakley for our anniversary if we're staying in Cincinnati. We like trendy-ish places, but still want to be able to recognize what's on the menu. For atmosphere, we love again pretty contemporary or trendy, nothing too stuffy. They also don't have to be too fancy, but I'd like to where some heels. Also it gets major bonus points for outside spaces and a nice bar. Any ideas?

CtMiller

Great - that's exactly what I needed to know. And I was really hoping that you wouldn't say that you were looking for a place like TGI Fridays or something.

Here are some great places downtown to check out:

Hub 51

Bin 36

Graham Elliot - he's a "celebrity" chef

Table Fifty-Two - Oprah's personal chef Art Smith's restaurant

Carnivale - Latino Cuisine

National 27 - Latino/South American Cuisine

Sunda - Asian

The Purple Pig - esp for meat lovers

Blackbird

Girl & the Goat -  "Top Chef" Season 4 winner Stephanie Izard's restaurant

Mike Ditka's - a little touristy, but very good

Weber Grill

Keefer's - steakhouse

Spiaggia

Bandera

Rosebud - Italian (multiple locations)

Upscale chains, but still excellent: Wildfire, Roy's Chicago, Sushi Samba Rio

 

I admittedly didn't eat downtown all that much when I lived in Chicago since I lived in Lakeview (Wrigley Field area-ish) so I'm not sure which places have good outdoor eating, but most have good bars. Hope this helps!

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren&Joe

This is awesome! Thanks you!

CtMiller

I hope you have a great trip & a fantastic anniversary!