All very helpful responses. I'm mostly looking for places that serve unique, though not necessarily complex, great food. I actually was thinking Blackbird was a more straightforward meal than you're implying it is. I don't even remember where I got that impression from.

What you got against Sweetwater if I may ask? Not a good atmosphere for a date im guessing

More specifically still, I'm looking for the best meal I can have on a few days notice in the city of Chicago that doesn't involve a multicourse prix fixe, just because I won't have the time.

Haven't been to all of those places but I've been to Avec five times in the last 6 months, and that is definitely what I'd recommend. Agreed with citanuls estimate of wait time.

Sweetwater - just a super average bar, noisy, sports on tv. Decent beer selection and ok food but definitely not a date bar.

Check out Ada St. It's not really close to anything, so you'll have to cab/drive there and back, but the food is incredible.

thanks for the bar rec's. Ended up going to the Gage, sat outside, and we actually did end up getting some food. Worked out very well.

I haven't had the food yet, but the cocktails were damn good when I was there

I have reservations for two at G&G on Sun at 6:30 that I do not plan to use (just went). PM me if you want them.

Gone

I wanted to thank you all for the help. Thank you for answering all of my stupid questions, the apt. hunt got to be daunting at times. We ended up choosing an apartment in the south loop on Michigan. After looking at so many places that we didn't really love, the south loop gave us that quiet and low key feel that we really wanted. Although we technically are young, we live like an older couple. We don't drink much and we like to stay in most nights. I'm really satisfied.

I have another question though for you Chicago residents: Our "condo" comes with TV but it's the most basic package through RCN? We need to rental a digital converter box for it to work, and it really is very basic. We would want to upgrade to a better package and preferably have multi-room hd-dvr capabilities. We also need internet. What is the best company to go through for internet/tv? Is there anything I should know before just picking one?

Thanks again!

I had Comcast Xfinity in my old place and RCN in my current apartment, and Comcast was way better both in terms of cable package offerings as well as Internet speed. RCN is significantly cheaper, but I thought Comcast was well worth the extra money. While I don't have any experience with AT&T Uverse, a couple of my friends have had horror stories about them.

Something you need to check is if your building has an exclusive deal with one of the cable providers (most mid-rise and high-rise buildings do). This means that you are basically locked into a given provider as they're the only one who has wires running into the building. By the sound of it, your building may have an exclusive deal with RCN in which case you'd be stuck with them and you'd have to contact RCN if you want to upgrade.

If you don't mind sharing -- what did you end up finding?

I'll need to upgrade in the next year and I was eyeing South Loop as an area to live.

How safe is it at night to just be walking around? I'm currently in Lakeview and I don't know if I can find another place that feels so safe at all times of the day.

No problem. We ended up with a pretty nice 1 bed 730 sq/ft soft loft in the south/eastern part of the south loop on Michigain/18th area. We were the first people to look at the specific unit and we're lucky to be able to take it right away. It's on the 30th floor with an east view and a balcony which makes for a pretty insane view. It also included a parking spot which was a must. We lived in river north before and I feel just as safe here. I know I'm only like .6 miles from the chinatown horseshoe shuttle, it's going to be interesting seeing what that walk is like, hopefully its good and I won't have to drive as much.

I'm visiting Chicago for the first time in October. The week I'm there, there is a MNF game vs Detroit. I can't find much on the area surrounding Soldier Field. If I don't end up buying tickets would it still be a fun place to bar hop before and during the game?

Where are you staying?

Omni hotel on michigan and huron. Was thinking of grabbin beers by Soldier Field and then walking to the game. If I don't go to the game I was hoping to hang out at bars around the stadium for the vibe,

That's not really an area one hangs out at for the vibe. It's a more quiet area of the city. With all there is to do in Chicago, I wouldn't want to waste a trip hanging out by soldier field

Oh, very cool.

18th is a little further south than I was looking but a lot of that could be ignorance / fear on my part.

Thanks!

well, you also seem fearful of anything west of the highway as well


fact is, many areas that you'd be likely to look at places will be pretty safe. You're just as likely to have your car keyed or a window busted in lakeview as you are in wicker park, ukie village, river north, or the south loop

Very true. I like living in my little Lakeview bubble... til I get robbed one day

West of highway confirmed scary, lol

West of Ashland confirmed scary. There are some nice spots between Ashland and the highway.

DePends how far south on Ashland you're talking about. In the west loop area, yea I wouldn't be walking around drunk late night. Wicker pk Ashland, that's nothing and is safer than parts of Lincoln pk and near north side.

But, that's why I said any area that one would really be looking at. No one on here is all that likely to be setting up shop in lawndale

Yeah, in my little experience in Chicago I view Lakeview --> Lincoln Park --> River North --> Gold Coast --> Wicker Park --> South Loop

No clue if that is accurate though