The TASTES of Chicago

Before embarking on my business trip to Chicago to review the new ServSafe exam items, I surveyed my professional culinary friends (and a few non-pros) for dining recommendations. Here are some of the responses I received:

View from the Signature Room at the 95th

For :
Gluten-Free Menu...Wildfire -(although part of a chain, my friend loves it!) probably because it has a  Loud, casual, great food, lots of fun.

Fine dining ...Naha....the bar has lebanese food that is awesome. Avec, Signature Room at the 95th (on the 95th floor of the John Hancock building).

Top notch food heavy pig menu...Publican (two mentions)

Interesting lunch... Xoco (at least 2 mentions) (owned by award-winning, American Chef-specializing-in-Mexican-cuisine, Rick Bayless) closed on Sundays and Mondays

Brunch... North Pond (2 mentions)....great burgers, Signature Room got another nod in this category.
Desserts..... Mindy Segal's Hot Chocolate (dessert bar)
Culture...Greek Town, especially Greek Islands Restaurant or Taxim (which is in Buckwood/Wicker Park).

Tapas, charcuterie ...etc...The Purple Pig on Miracle Mile (two mentions)..nice patio

Lunch and breakfast...The Bongo Room for amazing pancakes (and this friend doesn't like pancakes). Their food and atmosphere is fun, funky and delicious.
 
Mexican...Rick Bayless' Frontera Grill, Xoco, Topolabampo, Tortas in O'Hare Airport (no kidding-long line). OR Pilsen (residential district on the lower West side of Chicago).

Farm to Table... Nightwood Restaurant in Pilsen (three mentions!!) Matthew Rice is the pastry chef at Nightwood....AWESOME desserts! Mattie is so very talented. Wonderful quirky little place with delicious food.

Informal...DMK Burger Bar. Fish Bar (by the DMK boys).

GT Fish and Oyster Bar

Thai...Arun's

Taste of Chicago was also taking place while I was in town.

The Maxwell St Market on Sunday mornings is fun if you like Latino food and a flea market atmosphere.

Worth Noting:

A Food Guru I know points out that most of the new artsy restaurants need to be reserved three months ahead.

Next time: So many food choices...so little time. Where did I eat???