Frankly.. I don't cook. ;)

Where are some good.. (I say good in the exceptional food that won't set me back more than my HostingCon registration cost :clap: ) places in Chicago to dine while there?

I will have to let Sirtwist reply as to local places that are good as he lives there (I will in a week as well but it will take time to get to know the place) I will however point out breakfast and lunch will be served each day as part of your registration cost.

I do know on place called Portillo's that rocks.. very low cost, great food, ate there while we were looking at houses and on vacation the time before.. Mouse

Originally posted by DaWiseMouse
I will have to let Sirtwist reply as to local places that are good as he lives there (I will in a week as well but it will take time to get to know the place) I will however point out breakfast and lunch will be served each day as part of your registration cost.

I do know on place called Portillo's that rocks.. very low cost, great food, ate there while we were looking at houses and on vacation the time before.. Mouse

For me.. yes but, for people that may come with me just to see Chicago no. ;)

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner places will be good and I just mean not obscenely expensive. 100-150 dollars for 4 people isn't unreasonable... I hope that explains it.

Akash was opening a restaurant in Chicago, wasn't he? Maybe we could get ourselves some deals since I also don't know how to cook.

I'm not big on mid-range dining, so I can't really give good recommendations. However, there are a number of good resources out there for Chicago restaurant reviews. One of my favorite critics is Dean Richards from WGN Radio 720. Here are some of his recommendations:

http://wgnradio.com/Dean/restaurant/index.htm

There really are any number of fine restaurants downtown and in the area near where HostingCon will be held as well. Downtown Chicago is an easy train ride of about 25 minutes, I believe, from the hotel.

Can you recommend some "upper-range" dining then?

Here are Metromix's listings of 4 star restaurants:

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dining/search-venues.front?name=&attributeType=mmx-cuisine&attribute-mmx-Worth-Noting=mmx-worth-noting-4-star

I can't vouch for these, as I haven't eaten there, but have heard good things about them. I know I've heard good things about Charlie Trotter's, Tru, Ambria, Everest, and Spiaggia. I don't think I've heard of the others on the list.

Metromix's main dining site is http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dining/. There is a wealth of information there as well as reviews, suggestions, and more. It's probably the best entertainment site for the Chicago area out there.

Hope that helps!

While in Chicago though you should have a real Chicago style pizza from Pizzeria Uno, the original, or Lou Malnati's. Some of the best pizza in the world, imho.

Near the Hotel, Gibsons (1/2 block south), Rosebud (1-2 blocks) and the NW Harry Carry's (3-4 blocks N) are good places. Pricy, but good.

Trotter's and Tru are gonna be @$125 per person. Very High end, but 2 of the best restaraunts in the US. And you'd need a reservation about a month in advance.

Karl's right on with the pizza recommendations.

My absolute favorite place for dinner, that I go to every visit to Chicago proper... is Szechuan Restaurant: http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dining/30312,0,6393982.venue

It's not flashy, in fact, if you aren't looking closely you might miss it. Pretty understated on the outside... and some of the finest authentic Chinese cuisine I've ever had.

We usually get an extra entree and then do buffet-style among all of us... that way we can all have some, it's sooooo good!!!!

We're already planning on a night there, if anyone would like to join us, please holler... we could make it a date. :D

:D Bailey

This is an interesting topic, I was actually wondering about food, Im from the UK, I have never been to the US, I always see the US as a place of McDonalds and burgers, and im pleased that there are multi culture food places too. I will give it a visit when im there - call it a date lol :P

Daniel

Heres a link for the places to eat and other things in Chicago: www.chicago.il.org

Just go downtown. Hard Rock Cafe comes to mind. McDonalds, Rainforest Cafe, and hundreds of other places. Next year hold it in Manhattan and I'll be there. I need a good excuse to go back to New York City

Figure this....I regiter to look for a site to host an Internet radio Station and this is what I post to first....jeez...

1) Opera 1300ish S Wabash...Chineseish and it is great..
2) Spiaggia 900 N Michigan.$$$$$$$ but worth it
3) Erie Cafe meat and martinis...I think the best in the city
4) Keefers .....more of the meat motif but a bit more hip
5) Aurelios good pizza..not typical Chicago Thick Crust though..I am an official pizza snob from New Jersey and this is a pretty good thin crust. Not east coast mind you, just good...I thik they put something like butter in the crust..tasty.

6) Margies Ice Cream only and in an interesting location but worth the trip. Take a cab or the train. Place has been around forever and looks it. Ice cream rocks..and the servings are frightening.

Tru etc. are great but unless you want to eat at a very odd time, you ain't getting in.

Keep away from the tourist steak houses, they are just rip offs....The ones listed above are pretty good.

Check out the web site for a local show called Check please! Sadly, I can't post it but if you look up the station (WTTW) and look for the show, you will find it.

Since you will be out near the airport, there are a few places in Rosement or nearbye that are local chains that are edible... Mortons, Nicks, Carluccis...etc..considering how easy it is to get into the city though, you should make a few trips in to eat.

One more place you might want ot visit if you want some hysterical ambiance... Weiner Circle typical bar food and if you get there before midnight, it will be dull...

Good Luck!

For Breakfast I'd Choose RicoBene's located at 205 W. Wacker

I was there yesterday and they had the BEST Breakfest ive had in along time. Called Ricobene's Style Breakfast.

Includes Scrambled Egg's,Breaded Steak & Red sauce Served with home fries and choice of meat.


ALL for $5.29

it was great coffe is included

I travel to Chicago often for work, and there are a few places that I always try to hit.

Portillos (as mentioned above). No comparrison. Dogs are, of course great, and burgers are great.

Buca di Bepos - I know its not a Chicago-only restaurant. But if you've never been to one, Chicago has a few of them. Be sure to bring some friends and a healthy appetite. Best Italian food I've ever had, and not too bad on the pocket. I went with 2 other co-workers and we stuffed ourselves. The total bill was only like $45!!

There's my 2 cents. Now I'm hungry L(

-Stobe

Since the convention is not downtown for steaks try Morton's Steakhouse or Porter's Steakhouse ---- of course there is the good old and origional Chicago hot-dog with the real Vienna sausage...

The nice thing is, even though HostingCon is not downtown, the Hyatt Regency O'Hare is a couple minute walk to the Blue Line El station, which can get you downtown in about 20 minutes or so. So, it's extremely easy to get downtown and enjoy the sites, sounds, and FOOD there. :)

Hi,

Are the evening meals in the hotel any good?
I gather it has a well stocked bar for us Brits attending?

I don't know whether Chicago is like other cities I've visited but I gather there are some dodgy area's you don't want to get lost in. Is it advisable to get a taxi everywhere? I always seem to walk into the bad parts of town (like in Miami, Amsterdam and Toronto).

Also is there a Starbucks near the hotel for our daily Mocha injections?

:cool:

I haven't eaten at any of the restaurants in the hotel, but I've seen them and they appear to be pretty nice. I imagine the food is pretty good.

The closes Starbucks is about a mile from the hotel. I'm sure, however, that you can get a Mocha at the hotel as well.

As to dodgy areas of the city, yes, there are some. However, if you're in the "tourist" areas of Chicago (State St., Magnificent Mile, etc.) you shouldn't have too many problems. I walk around in the city all the time with no issues.

Just went to Chicago last month...

Rosebuds on Rush Street
Chicago Chop House

Well when i used to live in chicago there was some places that i frequented.

Portillo's - have to order a hotdog and the cheese fries. Hotdogs just to watch them make it....that place is freaky...but awsome.

Lou Malnotti's (spelling?) Great pizza and itallian food....their deep dish pizza is to die for.

Then there is my wifes favorite.
Famous Daves - BBQ, and who can resist that.

I dont think that you will be dissapointed.

I'm not a real great cook myself, so I've sampled almost every restaurant in the city...here are my recommedations:

Best Steak Place (Sorry Gibson's Lovers): Wildfire

Best Italian Joint: Gioco (Fairly New, but by far my favorite); Maggiano's is a VERY close second

Best Sushi Spot: [tie] Sushi Samba Rio or Tsunami or Sushi Wabi

Best Brazilian Steakhouse: Fogo de Chao (unlimited Brazilian Beef...how could you possibly go wrong?)

Best French Restaurant: Thyme or Marche

Best Creole Restaurant: Redfish


Hope to see you all at the 'Con.

Originally posted by dwieland
I'm not a real great cook myself, so I've sampled almost every restaurant in the city...here are my recommedations:

Best Steak Place (Sorry Gibson's Lovers): Wildfire

Best Italian Joint: Gioco (Fairly New, but by far my favorite); Maggiano's is a VERY close second

Best Sushi Spot: [tie] Sushi Samba Rio or Tsunami or Sushi Wabi

Best Brazilian Steakhouse: Fogo de Chao (unlimited Brazilian Beef...how could you possibly go wrong?)

Best French Restaurant: Thyme or Marche

Best Creole Restaurant: Redfish


Hope to see you all at the 'Con.

My mouth is watering over that :) Looking forward to seeing everyone there as well.

It occurs to me we really need to have our WHT handles on our nametags so we know who the heck each other is. :P

:D Bailey

We will probably have a space for your preferred online handle on the nametags, though it won't be the most prominent feature. We haven't decided on this yet, but people often go by the same handle all over the place so I think it might help.

Carmines (rosebud) on N.rush, Saralucci on N.rush, Schmit & Mcormicks on N.rush, Little Iatly on Clark Street I believe it is, For steak its definetly wildfire althought one of the best steaks I had was at Saralucci.

dont quote me on spelling. :cool: