Everest, Chicago Stock Exchange
Everest’s reputation in the restaurant world is as blue chip as it can get, so it’s no surprise to find it perched on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange. One of America’s premier dining rooms, with breathtaking views that appear to stretch forever, chef/owner Jean Joho delivers a quintessentially French experience from the food, to the décor, artwork, and even the accent of the maitre d’. This is haute cuisine with three- or four-course prix-fixe or seven-course degustation menus on offer. Everest is a member of Relais & Chateaux and Relais Gourmand—expect nothing but the best, and prepare to pay for the privilege. It’s expense account or major special occasion territory.
440 S La Salle St. # 2905, Chicago, IL 60605 | +1 312 663 8920 | www.everestrestaurant.com
Blackbird, West Side
Paul Kahan missed out on The James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Chef in 2007, but his nomination, alongside Everest’s Jean Joho, speaks volumes about Chicago’s reputation as a serious foodie city. Excuse the pun, but Kahan’s Blackbird has plenty to crow about, and his loyal clientele keep flocking back to enjoy his inspired creations. While the storefront is austere, the interior décor is sleek and stylish, with a funky white bar, high-back chairs, and tables so close a blackbird could barely fit between them (the razor-sharp service makes up for the cramped, noisy surroundings). The desserts fly high—saying bye-bye to this blackbird is no fun at all.
619 W Randolph Street, Chicago, IL 60661 | +1 312 715 0708 | www.blackbirdrestaurant.com
BIN 36, North Dearborn Street
A restaurant where the wine is just as important as the food. At BIN 36 on North Dearborn Street (on the west side of Marina City between the Chicago River and Kinzie and walking distance to the Theater District) the emphasis is firmly on wine with several environments in which to select, sip and savor in a contemporary but relaxed and welcoming space. Enjoy a casual wine-paired meal in The Tavern, a more formal dinner in The Cellar, and then shop for wine, books, homewares and fresh flowers in the lively Market. The 36 Minute Lunch—in and out in 36 minutes—is perfect for a retail or business break.
339 North Dearborn Street, Chicago IL 60610 | +1 312 755 9463 | www.bin36.com
Tru, North Saint Clair Street
Another city gem, just off the northern end of the Magnificent Mile, Tru is one of those restaurants that draws you in and makes you forget everything that’s going on outside. A cool and contemporary vision in ethereal white drapes, blue velvet banquettes, European black mosaic floor tiles and charcoal carpet. The bar and well-arranged dining room (lots of space between tables) allows for an intimate and personal dining experience, while the semi-private dining room—reached via a dramatic staircase—is great for a special occasion. The 1,700-bottle wine list shines next to Rick Tramonto’s French-inspired dishes and Executive Pastry Chef Gale Gand’s divine desserts. It’s also surprisingly formal; jackets are required for men.
676 N Saint Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611 | +1 312 202 0001 | www.trurestaurant.com
Yoshi’s Café, North Halstead Street
One of my trusted Chicago insiders, Greg, recommended this neighborhood restaurant, and I loved it. Tucked away in North Halstead, a 15-minute cab ride from the city center, Yoshi’s Café has been serving great food for more than 25 years and is one of those finds that only comes through local knowledge. Yoshi Katsumura and his wife Nobuko welcome guests like family and then serve up an intriguing fusion menu (Japanese, Italian, French and American) that hits the mark. I’ve heard mixed reports about the service, but it was efficient the night I dined there and the place was packed to the rafters.
3257 N Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60657 | +1 773 248 6160 | www.yoshiscafe.com
Alinea, North Halstead Street
Line up for one of the best culinary experiences in America. Launched in 2005, and named best US restaurant by Gourmet in 2006, Alinea and its young chef/owner Grant Achatz completed the hat trick last year by winning The James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes. This Lincoln Park restaurant is almost a blank canvas to allow the two degustation menus—12 courses ($135) and 24 courses (yep, you read it correctly—$195) to jump off the plate; miniature works of art that zing with depth and flavor. Don’t eat during the day, and allow four to five hours to complete the bigger menu. Pretentious? Who cares when the food is this good.
1723 N Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60614 | +1 312 867 0110 | www.alinea-restaurant.com
Naha, River North
I haven’t dined here, but Todd Nelson, head concierge at The Peninsula Chicago, recommends Naha in his list of top Chicago restaurants. Located on North Clark Street—just north of the river—and headed up by talented cousins Carrie and Michael Nahabedian, Naha offers a seasonal American menu (for lunch and dinner) with influences of the Mediterranean: think celery root soup with roasted squab and sweet roasted sea scallops scented with vanilla bean. It’s a long, narrow dining room with sleek lines, a minimalist décor, city views, and an almost spa-like look and feel, but it can get very noisy when crowded.
500 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610 | +1 312 321 6242 | www.naha-chicago.com
North Pond, Lincoln Park
Many restaurants have spectacular views in Chicago, but few can claim one as lovely as North Pond—tucked away in leafy Lincoln Park, perched on the edge of a small lake, and with dramatic views of the city skyline. Built in 1912 as a shelter for ice-skaters, it has been carefully and lovingly restored into an award-winning restaurant run by 2007 James Beard nominee Bruce Sherman. Using farm-fresh produce from local markets, and backed by a very good wine list, Sherman’s creations more than match the view, making for a meal to remember.
2610 N Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614 | +1 773 477 5845 | www.northpondrestaurant.com
Spiaggia, One Magnificent Mile
When your address is One Magnificent Mile, you’d better be good. Legendary chef Tony Mantuano has been serving up authentic Italian dishes for 23 years at Spiaggia, and his guests just keep on coming back. Located on the second floor of a high-rise on the corner of Michigan and Oak, this Chicago institution boasts 40-foot windows framing breathtaking views of Lake Michigan—and the inspired menus shine accordingly. Love the champagne-colored booths; hate the marble pillars and cascading Italian chandeliers—but Mantuano’s signature dishes like his wood-roasted guinea hen wrapped in pancetta are a joy.
One Magnificent Mile, Chicago, Illinois 60611| +1 312 280 2750 | www.spiaggiarestaurant.com
Frontera Grill, North Clark Street
While the dressier (and more stylish) Topolobampo next door tries to steal the limelight, her colorful older sister has been at the forefront of Chicago’s Mexican restaurant scene for more than 20 years. Chef, restaurateur, cookbook author and TV personality, Rick Bayless continues to serve up heart-warming cuisine from South of the border in a riot of color, music and fiesta. It may not be to everyone’s taste—one Chicago friend describes it as mariachi-meets-margerita—but the delicious food, service and ambience are wonderful, and it makes for a fun night out.
445 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60610 | + 1 312 661 1434 | www.fronterakitchens.com