Of all the major cities in the US, Chicago is one I've never been to other than the airport. My wife and I will be going there in April and I need some recommendations on a nice restaurant. $30-$50 per plate is what we're looking for but not the "fine dining" type where you get a leaf and 2 bites. I want a barrel cut filet and a bottle of wine. Any suggestions?
Kinzie Chophouse and Sullivans looks like they will make the short list. Someone at work also recommended Gibsons Bar and Steakhouse too. So I think those 3 will be in the running.
Where actually will you be staying? I've been to a lot of the higher end restaurants in the city and W/NW suburbs, if I know where you're staying I can probably make a good suggestion.
I went this past summer and we ate at Smith and Wollensky. Pricey, but everything we had was great. Steakhouse in Chicago - Restaurant Marina City | Smith & Wollensky
Only one dish in their food gallery on their site looked to be of our taste so we kinda just looked elsewhere. They seemed to be a bit too much like the fine dining that puts certain flavors together just to be trendy and they care more about how the dish looks. Have you been there and do you specifically recommend them because saying it will be adventurous seems to reinforce my initial hesitation.
Soo, not sure if this place has a sticky mantra about them, excuse the pun, but we're staying at a place called Sybaris in Frankfort, IL. It's a typical, partially cheesy to some, honeymoon type suite with an in room pool, hot tub, steam room, the works (all private). Each suite has it's own garage and in it's own private building. Cheesy, maybe, and we know what goes on there but we need a getaway, without the kiddos that's shorter and cheaper than going to the beach.
Yes I've been to Girl and the Goat and it was one of my favorite meals ever. Personally, I find steakhouses to be incredibly boring. If I'm paying $150- $200 (or more) on a meal, I want it to be something that I cannot come close to executing at home or even think of doing at home. I can get a steak at home to 80% of that at a steakhouse for 20% of the value. Steakhouses just are just horrible values IMO. And honestly, Girl and the Goat isn't even that adventurous. Its not like its Alinea.
You'll be about 40 miles S/W of the city and probably an hour drive into Chicago assuming no rush hour traffic. I'm assuming you won't want to drive more than an hour or so......so my recommendations are all either in the city or W/SW suburbs. Assuming you want a good steak....I've been to all of the restaurants below and all were great dining experiences. - Morton's - (Naperville, and Chicago) - Gibson's - (Oak Brook, and Chicago) - Ruth's Chris - (Chicago) - Fogo de Chao - (Chicago, Naperville) - Parker's - (Downers Grove)
Not sure how long you will be staying but, There are a couple places near Frankfort with good food. Chef Klaus is just a short drive west and Mr Benny's is a few miles north of there in Mokena. Both have good food at good prices. One thing you might want to look into if you have time is Burt's Pizza in Morton Grove. It is an experience like no other (you have to make a reservation though) Check it out on Chicago's Best TV. I have included a review from a buddy of mine who travels all over the U.S. eating at every fancy restaurant to hole in the wall place. Burt
LOL, yes we are going willingly... We aren't going for the food, it's just somewhere within 5-6 hours that we haven't been before. I don't eat pizza and surely want to eat better than pizza on a romantic getaway weekend.
There are bunches of excellent italian restaurants that most certainly are not pizza joints. Though my husband would take a chicago style deep dish pizza over a fancy dinner every single time. Lol I've been to Morton's and wasn't impressed. I've been to the Palm several times and enjoyed. More for the lobster than the steak though. But I don't get too excited about spending $$$ on a restaurant steak when they're so easy to cook at home. If i were going to spend money on steak, I'd hit one of the churrascarias. Not too expensive and lots of stuff to try. Plus some of them have hot gauchos serving you. Heh....
Funny, I was going to suggest Italian village or a few places nearby but last time I went it was mediocre at best. Giordano and Lou M's also came to mind but he said steak...
For some reason I don't think "Romantic weekend" when I think Chicago???????? Hope you have a great time!!!!!!!!
