I will be in the windy city this september for a conference. I will be there for a minimum of 2, but possibly 3 nights. I want to try something exciting and unique only to chicago. Charlie Trotters is an old standby for many, but it seems boring and overdone to me (unless someone convinces me otherwise).

Alinea is #1 on my list of places to eat.

Moto is a close #2.

Any other ideas? Any reason not to go to either of the 2 listed above?

Finally, I have some food aversions, namely any kind of pork, any kind of organ meat (regardless of species), and spongy or chewy seafood (oysters, clams, sea urchin, octopus, squid, etc...). Is it possible to exclude these items without totally pissing off the chef?

 

yeah Alinea will take care of you

....I dont think Moto has any "gross" food haha

um..... try the pizza man.

 

Tru is quite good.

Schwa is very interesting concept.

And, don't forget Mr. Beef...

 

Alinea is great and imho signifcantly better than Moto. If you have a choice go to Alinea. As mentioned above Tru is excellent. You may also want to check out Avenues and an old reliable Everest (great wine selection).

I also still like Charlie Trotter's.

 

What about Portillo's?

 

Thanks all...any other suggestions?

 

Of course, don't forget to check: chuckeats.com

 

thanks sir


Alinea was very very good - definitely the highest recommendation. It may be slightly difficult w/ that laundry list of exceptions though

Moto sucks IMO - all of the food tastes like chemicals. interesting? maybe. tasty? no.

L2O just opened and it promises to be one of the city's best restaurants (former chef of Fifth Floor here in SF.) It's all seafood, but you should be able to dance around the menu.

Schwa always sounded like fun if you can get in.

Tru - never heard a bad thing about it but the chef just recently left.

Vie - not sure how far away from the city center but it's local, seasonal food that i've heard lots of good things about.


- chuck

 

Vie is about 5 minutes from my house. Paul Virant's son is in the same kindergarten class as mine, so I've been there a lot .

It is superb, but a hike from the city. It's also not a dining event like Alinea, but just outstanding local ingredients with a superb cooking touch from Paul Virant.

But, I completely defer to Chuck for his overwhelming knowledge of epicurean delights.

 

I'm glad someone else has the same feelings on Moto.

Also Vie is very good. It's located in Western Springs, IL. About 20 miles southwest of Chicago. I've eaten there a bunch of times as it's very close to me.

Alin, where are you located?