Big Chick's

Anyone want to meet up and try this restaurant? None of my friends are interested.

http://www.giltcity.com/chicago/gebistro

Long time lurker and first off thanks for all the great info in this thread as I have read/skimmed all of it over the past 2 weeks.

My wife and I will be in town this weekend (fr night- Sunday). Current Friday itinerary only consists of the 11 pm Second City show. Any restaurant recommendations in that area w an approx 75-100 pp budget?

For scope, my wife is as far from a foodie as one could be and would be out of her comfort zone menu wise in a French/modern place like Avec (random example since it's obv heavily recommended within this thread).
Preferably American, Mexican, Italian, but def not limited to that

Saturday were going to Lou malnattis as part of some food walking tour from noon to 3, but I'm also very open for suggestions for Saturday as we'll (we're staying at the W Lakeshore, not sure if that's relevant)

Edit: I'd love to go to fontera but not sure how long that wait would be during prime Friday hours, any info appreciated

Thanks

if you want in the 75-100 range, go to boka. Don't pass go, don't collect $200. Just go to boka

Avec is one of the most welcoming restaurants I can think of. Definitely not fancy / la de da in any way.

Try perennial virant maybe? In that range and excellent. And very nearby.

I really want to try Avec.

as far as Lou's and Pequod's debate, Lou's is better (and the best), but there is definitely an argument for balancing with Pequod's a bit because their caramelized crush is so delicious. pretty much no point ever getting any other deep dish style (except for Burt's, but that's in Morton Grove...)

so my friends and I pick (usually 6 of us) a new spot to eat every month or so . past places have been (ranked in order of how much we enjoyed it combined with bang for the buck):

Parson's
Chilam Balam
Balena
Twin Anchors
Mexique
Pecking Order
Tango Sur
Farmhouse

anyways, I'm up next and would love to hear some suggestions along these similar lines. cheap(ish) prices are preferred (prob not doing a mexique-type place again) and getting drunk for cheap is also appreciated.

Endgrain - never been, really want to try it
Glenn's Diner - can't recommend this place enough
Lao Sze Chuan - favorite chinese place in Chi, relatively inexpensive
Au Cheval - never been, curious what the fuss is all about
Big Jones - great southern fare, inconvenient location
Kuma's Corner - best burger in the city, must try before you die
Le Colonial - good food, neat decor, just a nice change of pace
Toro Sushi - fun/popular small spot, could eat here weekly

Thanks for the recommendations NHF and KDawg; after a hard push for boka, my wife still decided on perennial virant, so we have a Friday reservation there.

I am also still without a plan for Saturday night. Other than a noon to 3pm walking tour that includes a Lou malnattis stop and loose plans to stop at the signature lounge, I have zero plans.

We are looking for somewhere for dinner again around 75pp ( American or Mexican) and also near bars that aren't overpriced lounges. We are both 31 yo and staying at W lakeshore if that's relevant..

Au Cheval is pretty good. the atmosphere is nice but the burger is a little much for my taste (not to say it wasn't delicious).

Kuma's original is pretty great. really dislike kuma's 2 (setting just feels completely off). burgers are obv great at both.

Toro is fantastic!

http://chicago.eater.com/archives/20...s-revealed.php

Chicago 2014 Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand Restaurants:

Ada St.
Antique Taco
*Arami
*ATK
Au Cheval
*Autre Monde
Avec
Balena
Belly Shack
*bellyQ
Browntrout
Ceres' Table
Chilam Balam
*County
Cumin
Deca
DeCOLORES
*Fat Rice
*Found
Frontera Grill
*Gather
Gemini Bistro
Gilt Bar
Girl & The Goat
Green Zebra
GT Fish & Oyster
Han 202
*Homestyle Taste
*Hopleaf
Jaipur
Jam
Jin Thai
*Juno
Kabul House
Kai Zan
*Kama Indian Bistro
*Kurah
Lao Hunan
Lao Sze Chuan
*Libertad
*Lula Café
*Mana Food Bar
Marion Street Cheese Market
Maude's Liquor Bar
*Mercat a la Planxa
Mixteco Grill
*Mott St.
*Nabuki
Nana
Nightwood
Opart Thai House
Owen & Engine
Paramount Room
The Publican
Pump Room
The Purple Pig
Q BBQ
Riccardo Trattoria
Sen
Slurping Turtle
Smak-Tak
Smoque BBQ
Sol de Mexico
Spacca Napoli
*Sushi Dokku
*TAC Quick
Urban Belly
Wood
Yolo

* = added to the 2014 list

The few times I've been to Smoque are kind of hit and miss.

I feel like the Brisket is a no-doubt 10/10 but everything else, even the sides, are just kinda average.

Smoque ribs aren't what I'd call good.

Interesting that Yusho isn't on the Bib Gourmand list. Makes me wonder if they may be getting a star

Mexique also not on the Bib Gourmand so that makes me think they retained their Michelin star

Decolores is flat out not good. Probably not even in the top 10 of pilsen Mexican places, take these "recos" with a huge grain of salt.

Going to Boka for Girlfriends birthday, looking forward too it.

Anyone know of a restaurant in Chicago that serves wild salmon?

The only 2 I've found are Shaw's and L2O. L2O minimum meal is $140 so that's out. Shaw's looks good, but wondering if there are any other options, especially if at a smaller/less mainstream type place.

and no star for Yusho while Mexique retains it's star. Interesting that Yusho wasn't put in the Bib Gourmand.

Click on the Buttons in the link to see the full list (including star'd restaurants):

http://www.michelintravel.com/michel...hicago-2014-2/

Don't know if it's wild salmon or not: http://www.bokachicago.com/pdfs/Boka_Dinner.pdf

Haven't been to Mexique. Haven't heard impressive things.

I think Yusho might be in an odd spot because $40 for "two courses," dessert, and wine is a tricky one for many small plates places. Knocking out, say, $16 for a glass of wine and dessert (which seems fair), you've got $24 to get the equivalent of 2 courses. That's probably the equivalent of 3ish and maybe 4 (depending on size) Yusho plates. To make that work you've got to lean pretty heavy on the yakitori menu, basically. It's certainly not a normal 3 dish order that stays under $24.

While I like Yusho a lot, I don't think it does a great job of "offering great value for neighborhood residents."

Thanks for posting. I googled around and while it is probably farmed, it seems like the farmed salmon from there is some of the highest quality farmed.

Pretty psyched that I got to eat at Senza before they got a Michelin star. I feel all hipster-y!

link to my senza tr

Going to try my question again, this time about grassfed beef. Anyone know of any restaurants serving this? I found North Pond has it, any other good options?

I'm probably going to give Yusho a try in a couple weeks- all those different chicken options look really good so might just order every one! Also the mochi looks nice. Has anyone tried the quail egg? What is it?

While I haven't been there yet, I would hope that Grassfed on Damen holds up to their name

Still looking for 1 more for Next Bocuse meal on Nov 29 at 6:15p!!