Chicago Recommendations

[udsig91]

I will be going to the game on Saturday against NU. I am staying at the Knickerbocker.

I am getting in town Friday and leaving Monday morning. I was hoping to get a couple of recommendations...

1- Great craft beer bar that serves good food?
2- Steak place for dinner downtown?
3- Italian place for dinner downtown?
4- A place to go see live music or fun bar?

Thanks!

 

[sluggo72]

the steak place I have been to is Gibson's which is always good. Real close to the Ferrari dealership!
We want on a boat cruise up and down the Chicago river and out into the lake, it lasted about an hour and half, they serve drinks, and it was really really interesting! There's an Italian place relatively near Gibson's which was good, I'll search my memory and let you know.

https://wendellaboats.com/

 

[fastlax16]

Best steak is bavettes hands down. If you can get a reservation you should go. Gene and georgetties is good and so is Gibson’s but bavettes is the best. Quartino is pretty good for Italian. For beer I’d go to the goose island taproom. Chicago Athletic Association is one of my favorite bars in the city. It’s where I always take anyone visiting.

 

[sluggo72]

the steak place I have been to is Gibson's which is always good. Real close to the Ferrari dealership!
We want on a boat cruise up and down the Chicago river and out into the lake, it lasted about an hour and half, they serve drinks, and it was really really interesting! There's an Italian place relatively near Gibson's which was good, I'll search my memory and let you know.

https://wendellaboats.com/

I remembered, I'll second Quartino as well

http://www.quartinochicago.com/

 

[Madsol]

Went to Bavettes last year when we were in Chicago because of how highly it was ranked on Tripadvisor. Atmosphere was incredible, felt like something out of The Untouchables. Half expected to see Al Capone sitting in the corner booth. But here's where I'm sure I'll get slammed but the steak? It was ok, nothing more. I enjoy the steak at Texas Roadhouse every bit as much for a third of the price. But I was glad we had the experience and would recommend the experience.

 

[mjh218]

Ill be in town all week. The Goat and the Girl has great food and great beer. Hard to get reservations though. The Publican is another place that has great beer and food.

 

[fastlax16]

Went to Bavettes last year when we were in Chicago because of how highly it was ranked on Tripadvisor. Atmosphere was incredible, felt like something out of The Untouchables. Half expected to see Al Capone sitting in the corner booth. But here's where I'm sure I'll get slammed but the steak? It was ok, nothing more. I enjoy the steak at Texas Roadhouse every bit as much for a third of the price. But I was glad we had the experience and would recommend the experience.

Surprised to hear that. I've been 4-5 times in the past year and have never had a disappointing steak. Definitely better than what I get from Gibsons.

 

[MtNittany]

Jake Melnick's Corner Tap for wings. The best Jerry. The best...

 

[kevina001]

Jake Melnick's Corner Tap for wings. The best Jerry. The best...

I was there last week. The wings are quite good. Good place to watch a game too.

 

[Madsol]

Surprised to hear that. I've been 4-5 times in the past year and have never had a disappointing steak. Definitely better than what I get from Gibsons.

Well, maybe disappointing based on my too high expectations. I think I was expecting to be blown away and while it was good it didn't make it hard for me to eat a steak at a chain restaurant back home. A couple of years ago, I spent 4 weeks in northern Italy and ate a fair amount of pizza. I was ruined for pizza for a least 6 months once I got home. I guess I was expecting something like that with Bavettes.

 

[Mace54]

Bullet proof vest.

 

[yeahtoasty]

My Chicago recommendations are -- if you're only getting one, go for Chicago IX, their first greatest hits package. If you want to dig deeper into the catalog, I'd go in this order:

1. Chicago Transit Authority
2. Chicago VI
3. Chicago (aka "Chicago II")
4. Chicago VII

Whatever you do, avoid anything after Chicago 11 (which coincides with the passing of Terry Kath.) Apparently Kath took that band's balls with him to the grave, it's all sappy Cetera ballads from that point onward.

 

[mrtailgate]

Not sure where you are but Hopleaf is a long time popular beer bar. I always liked Sheffields too. Prob a jaunt from where you're at. Great beer store is West Lakeview Liquors. They will have nice selection of Three Floyds, Goose, and Pipeworks beers. Off Color Brewing is good beer. And Mikerphone makes some great beers.

 

[ralphster]

Agree with The Publican. $65 tasting menu is actually a great value. They basically keep bringing their fantastic dishes until you tell them to stop. Outstanding beer selection. Absolutely one of the best gastropubs I've ever been to.

Girl & the Goat great too. Try the confit goat belly.

Grace for 3 Michelin-starred experience.

Au Cheval for top burger.

Liked all the deep dish pizza we had, but skip the "Italian beef" sandwich. Basically a Philly cheesesteak where they forgot the best part... CHEESE!