Visitor coming to Magnificent Mile

Looking for a couple "must try" restaurants in Chicago during our short stay from about July 13th to July 18th. We are staying at the Swisshotel (sp?) which I think is near the Magnificent Mile.

Have read your forum (which looks VERY strangely like our own in New Orleans - see it at http://phorums.neworleans.com/phpBB2/index.php ) and am completely torn about a good "memorable" restaurant experience.

Looking for a couple "nicer" restaurants to mix in... do you all suggest Moto? Bistro 110? Arun's? Aria? Haven't even done the homework to see if any of these are in the area we'll be staying in.

What are your "must try" suggestions that are relatively close to Magnificent Mile? Welcome suggestions! p.s. Welcome to return the favor if any of you are headed our direction!

A search of this site on "Magnificent Mile" or "Michigan Ave" would have found you any number of suggestions, including this post from just a few days ago.

However, your hotel is slightly south of the Mag Mile, which constitutes the 400 to 1000 blocks of Michigan Avenue.

Closer to the Swissotel is one the city's better steakhouses, the highly underrated Stetson's, hidden away in the Hyatt Regency. It serves prime, dry-aged beef.

Stetson's Steak & Chop House
312/565-1234
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 E. Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601

The Palm is in the Swiss Hotel and is very good. Much better imho than Stetson's, having eaten at both several times (worked in the Illinois Center complex for 16 years).

That being said, there's a lot of good, unique things very close to your hotel

Frontera Grill
Silver Spoon Thai
Spaggia
Plus, other Steak options
Gibson's
Smith & Wollensky
and more

Keefer's is also very good

A long walk or short cab ride

Blackbird
and all the other suspects in the Randolph restaurant corridor

Greektown (I like Costa's and Greek Island's)

Plus, you're near all the pizza Icons, Malnati's Uno's and Giordano's.

Just a few random thoughts.

Thanks so much for the feedback! Frontera Grill and Spiaggia were also supported by a write up in Apple's America (great travel book if you've never seen it) so since the locals agree with the author, we'll probably try at least those two in addition to one of the pizza places (Uno?) and the in-hotel restaurant.

Any feedback on the difference between Frontera Grill and Topolobampo? I guess one is pricier than the other, but is the quality of the food equally good?

I had tried "Tru" for reservations but the only spot available for the times we wanted were 5:15 reservations. Too early for us.

I'm a Chicago newbee so can't wait to see it. We have reservations to see Wicked (albeit "dress" seats on the side was all we could find available) and plan to hit the museums and shops. Is Navy Pier worth visiting? I hear mixed reviews - "too commercial" to "great shopping".

Again thanks for the ideas. If anyone needs help with New Orleans restaurants, this foodie would be happy to help!

Navy Pier - Bad.
Go at your own peril.
Too many people, too suburban, too expensive, too much packaged "fun".
There are so many authentic experiences in this town for the people who care about world cultures, and unique, out of way people, places and things.
The hardest part is finding those, and you're making an effort to reach out so I feel compelled to respond.
I think some of the best things you can do to explore Chicago in all of its glory is to go to what are described as 'neighborhoods' and walk around and see/do/touch/eat/smell what is offered. Devon Ave, Greek Town, Chinatown, Little Saigon, Pilsen are all great places to start. You will see how the people in this city live and work, and start to feel like you've seen the real Chicago, not the plastic tourist ride that is offered.
Spend your money on a cab if you're not brave enough to take public trans (which is fairly straightforward and easy) and live a little.
My 2 cents.
That is all.

Many thanks, Danak. We are planning on taking the public trans system (EL?) to as much as we can and will venture out to as many of the neighborhoods as we can fit in![/list]

If you're into the El, one place that doesn't get much press, but should, is Chef's Station, in the Davis St. Metra Station. Take the purple line to Davis St and it's right across the plaza (most times during the day and at on weekends, you'll have to take the red line to Howard and pick up the purple line from there). Slightly funky interior, excellent contemporary American food.

First, welcome to Chicago. This is a very rich town when it comes to good eating. I've travelled quite a bit over the years and you can count the cities with comparable dining on one hand. Of course New Orleans happens to be one of those few cities.

The recommendations already given are all great and honestly, you could probably get a hundred more before you're done. We here on this board tend to disect focus more on the neighborhood places because that's where most of us live. But downtown Chicago is a true joy for someone that appreciates good food.

Needless to say, you won't leave hungry.

Danak is absolultly right, search the boards for the best places to eat in the areas hes listed. Stay away from Navy Pier, as a proud Chicagoan I find it very tacky and unrepresenative of our city. As for the difference between Topo and Frontera, Topo is very high end and much more formal, as well as more expensive. Frontera is more casual and relaxed. The food at both is excellent as you've probubly heard. However, it is difficult to get into both so be prepared for what could be a long wait in line for Frontera, diffinetly call ahead for Topo

You all have been so kind. Thanks so much for all the advice. It's still three weeks (or so) away but we have our reservations made (including Topo). We will skip Navy Pier; and we will go exploring into the neighborhoods.

While we are not native New Orleanians (have lived here 11 years or so), we have made a bit of hobby of exploring neighborhoods in New Orleans - usually looking for funky undiscovered restaurants...so that will fit right in for us. (Today we discovered "Elizabeths" in Bywater which had the best "Eggs Sardou" I think I've ever tasted... )

Thanks again for all the advice!

Just a quick note to thank you all for the great advice. Hubby and I had a WONDERFUL time in your town. Highlights for us:

* The view from Swissotel! OMG what a view we had - saw the fireworks Saturday night over the lake and enjoyed the illuminated hourly water fountain over the river coming from the fountain on the north side. The staff was helpful as could be and it was just plain wonderful. A bit pricier than most hotels probably but what a nice experience.

* Your transportation system. Have pass will travel! We took CTA absolutely everywhere - the museums, Hyde Park, to and front the airport, exploring north Lake Shore Drive, exploring China Town, you name it. Fantastic system - both busses and trains. What foresight your city planners had in constructing that (for the Exposition, wasn't it?).

* Our "nice" dinners ended up being a) Palm Hotel; b) Topolobambo; c) Spiaggia and d) Blackbird. Our favorite two were Topolobambo and Blackbird. Very innovative food and quite tasty. Spiaggia had a nice view and good food, but seemed a bit overpriced for the value.

* Loved Millenium Park! Mayor Daley did good with that creation, hmmm? And while I'm at it, how DO you keep all those flowers everywhere looking so nice??

* Loved your boat architecture tour. If you locals haven't done it, you should! Run by volunteer docents (sp?) who really know their stuff - they not only educate you on the architecture styles, but also the story behind the building. Took the bus architecture tour as well, but preferred the boat tour even more.

* Saw "Wicked" - great play, great theatre district.

* And of course, the Art Museum. What a jewel you have there.

Just a wonderful vacation. You truly are "The Paris of the Prairie" and, having been to both New York and Paris, I think you rival both easily.

The flowers in the park are largely funded by hotel and sales taxes, so please, do keep coming back!