OT: Visiting Chicago and Milwaukee

[77fan88warrior]

I know nothing about it but I hear there is a Segway tour in Chicago. I imagine that would be a fast fun way to get around. The Italian Village is on Monroe around Clark. There are three restaraunts in one. I prefer the more casual dark one upstairs. The food is good but I would only go there if you are eating in the loop. The Chop House is a great steak place with some Chicago pictures. Try sitting on first floor.

[Sir Lawrence]

77ncaachamps, check your messages.

[spartan3186]

A couple chicago food suggestions

2 of the best steaks i have ever had have come from the following two resteraunts

Shula's Steak House
Stetson's Steak House

needless to say they are both VERY pricey. At each place dinner for 2 (dinner and dessert) not including drinks is around 120... im not sure on drink prices as i was underage when i took my date there.

Another really fun place for lunch in chicago is Oak Street Beachstro. I highly reccomend this place for the food and atmosphere. It is an outdoor resteraunt right on lake michigan (you literally walk off the sand to get into the resteraunt) the owner has imported palm trees to give it a tropical feel. Its a fun, casual, relaxing place... you get people in bathing suits off the lake as well as people is sports jackets before hitting up the theater, its a very interesting mix of people. They also have a nice variety of more tropical drinks. Its only open from mid April-Early September (weather pending) so its something to keep in mind during the summer months. http://www.oakstreetbeachstro.com/

[Dish]

If you're going for steaks in Chicago, the best place hands down is Gibson's.

Even if you don't like the celebrity hang out that it is, and you don't mind being seated by 50 year old men with their 22 year old girlfriends, you can't beat it.

[Bob "Big Daddy" Wild]

Some restaurant suggestions for Chicago:

Stay away from Italian Village - the Italian food is OK, but if you are only in town for a few days there are MUCH better places to eat.  Joe's Stone Crab is some of the best crab there is and a pretty good steak, but it is pricey.  If you are looking for Chicago Style Deep Dish pizza, check out Lou Malnatti's or Pizzano's, they are basically the same Pizza - two different brothers from the same family.  Lou's is a small little place with sports jerseys on the wall, Pizzano's is more of an italian feel to it - dark and quiet, both have great pizza.

More of a neighborhood place if you want to see a different side of Chicago, jump on a Blue Line to wicker park/bucktown and get off at the North and Damen stop.  There is a place called Piece - they have great pizza and great micro brews.  It is basically a glorified bar with Pizza - but they have some of the best ingredients for Pizza, a few different types of pizza (i.e. "White Pizza" which doesn't have red sauce but has olive oil and cheeze), and their beers are very tasty.  Plan accordingly though because this place gets PACKED.

The Lettuce Entertain You restaurants are all very good and not as crazy on price, but you can often find them in other cities.  Wildfire, Maggianos, etc. are very good and located right in river north (a few blocks north of the loop).

For steak, Lawry's (sp?), Morton's, Shulas, and Gibsons are all great, though I think many Chicagoans prefer Gibsons a bit more.

There are two really good Brazillian Steakhouses (all you can eat) which are great, Brazzaz and Fogo de Chao, both in River North.

Another fun place to check out is Ditka's restaurant, great food and he is in there a few nights a week.

One thing to be aware of is that at night, the Loop shuts down for the most part, so if you are staying there, you will have to walk into River North for most dining and entertainment.  There are a few decent places to grab a drink in R. North - Fado's (irish pub) is good for a pint, and a lot of people love Howl at the Moon (piano bar).

I strongly suggest that you spend some time on both of the following sites:
www.metromix.com
chicago.citysearch.com

Both have all the restaraunts and bars in the city, either reviewed or rated, or both.  Great resources for planning things in the city.

[augoman]

Depending on budget, I strongly reccommend the Tremont in Chi, just off Rush and walkable to most everything.  Fun to sit in the viagra triangle around midnight, puff a cigar, drink a latte and watch the parade of humanity.  Don't skip old town for great restaurants and bars- Orso's on Shiller and Wells has a great beer garden, wide menu (super thin crust pizzas).  You might enjoy a drink at Will's Northwoods Inn-3030 N. Racine (Lakeview), John the owner is an attorney, grew up in northern WI.  The previously mentioned architectual boat tour is a must (sit on top near the docent, if possible).
In Milwaukee, I agree re Pfister and Hotel Metro- first choices.  Don't miss opportunity to sit on the river- lots of choices; ale house, rock bottom, john hawk's pub, riptide, etc. for a cocktail.  Hard to beat the steer steak at Butch's, Mo's has nice steak, but the thin crust pizza at Zafiro's on Farwell and Brady can't be beat.  Also previously mentioned La Merenda (got to plug former eagle pete's place) very good.  Ambassador (nother warrior) has a nice bar, good burgers, and will shuttle you to theater or elsewhere.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

I know nothing about it but I hear there is a Segway tour in Chicago. I imagine that would be a fast fun way to get around. The Italian Village is on Monroe around Clark. There are three restaraunts in one. I prefer the more casual dark one upstairs. The food is good but I would only go there if you are eating in the loop. The Chop House is a great steak place with some Chicago pictures. Try sitting on first floor.

Segway tour? That would be a great thing to do...if you're a complete dork.

Also, Gene and Georgetti's, while a bit long in the tooth, is widely considered to be more of an authentic steak joint than the trendy Gibson's or Shula's, which is part of a restaurant chain.

Find a neighborhood street fair, get a few beers and a couple of hot dogs. If there's a decent bad, it's better than any of the options I've heard here.

[mu03eng]

Also, if you are willing to venture out towards Miller Park for great steak I highly recommend 4th Base.  It looks like a dumpy little bar at like National and 52nd, south side of the street.  When you go inside it definitely looks like a dumpy little sports bar, but don't let the looks fool you.  Just outstanding steaks there.  You can pick your cut and you get all the fixings.  Its a little pricey but well worth it given how good the food is.  You can also get lunch there, the burgers are good as well, plus more reasonably priced.

Anyone else been there?

[Sir Lawrence]

Also, if you are willing to venture out towards Miller Park for great steak I highly recommend 4th Base.  It looks like a dumpy little bar at like National and 52nd, south side of the street.  When you go inside it definitely looks like a dumpy little sports bar, but don't let the looks fool you.  Just outstanding steaks there.  You can pick your cut and you get all the fixings.  Its a little pricey but well worth it given how good the food is.  You can also get lunch there, the burgers are good as well, plus more reasonably priced.

Anyone else been there?

Been there a couple of times.  I agree the food is pretty good, but way over priced IMO.  Steaks in Milwaukee:  I prefer the Chop House at the Hilton to Mo's.  Still like Butch's--all the "supper club" extras.  Yanni's is OK, and Carnevor quite good, but also very pricey.  The relatively new Mason Street Grille at the Pfister is fabulous. 

[Chili]

Mason Street Grill is fantastic. Stick of butter in every steak – like it should be. I like Butch's 5 O'Clock Club downtown. Sabor is great – I have loved it every single time I have gone. Mo's is WAY over priced. Either of the Super Clubs is great. Yanni's – eh. Capital Grill is very nice but a chain. Chop House is nice as well. Savoy is not bad either.

For Italian go to Bartollata's in Tosa or Mima's on Brady. As for pizza I would recommend Zafiro's on Farwell & Brady.

New places check out Water Buffalo – great food. But it can be a bear to get a table.

For Mexican, you cannot beat Cempazuchi on Brady. The only Mexican joint worth ANYTHING in the city of Milwaukee. The south side ones are flavorless hacks IMO. Botanna's maybe being the exception.

The Philly Way is a great steak sandwich place – but not as good as the east coast. If you want great wings on a Thursday check out Points East Pub for the best grilled wings you can get.

For fine dinning you cannot beat BACCHUS. Hands down the best place in Milwaukee.

Stay away from Coast and Rip Tide for seafood. They are freaking terrible. The only decent place in the city (well West Allis) is Craw Daddy's. Their seafood I believe is flown in on Tuesdays and Fridays. It is a nice Cajun joint.

For Fish Fry's go to Hooligan's on North Ave. Or else hit up Serb Hall on the South Side.

For something really unique check out Three Brothers for Serbian food. It is outstanding.

You must hit Sobelman's in the valley. MUST cannot be stressed enough.

For bars, I would check out the Third Ward, Brady, North Ave. Bayview has some cool places as well. I personally cannot stand Milwaukee St. or Water St. Paddy's Pub on Murray & North is a great place.

[MilTown]

Is Coerper's 5 O'Clock Club still open? That was my favorite place in Milwaukee. Super shady 1960's feel, but great steak. Close to Ricky's on State for an after dinner drink too. I also really like Giovanni's in Milwaukee. I remember they had a NY Strip Vesuvio style that was excellent.

A post above mentioned a seafood place in Chicago on Wacker Dr. I think you were talking about McCormick and Schmidt's. There is one on Rush Street too. Both have great seafood, but the Rush location is better in the evenings.

If you like dry aged steaks, give David Burke's in Chicago a try, or if you are staying east of Michigan you can't go wrong with Capitol Grille.

[4everwarriors]

going strong, but under new ownership, nothing's changed. Giovanni, however, is history, past tense, tap city.

[77ncaachamps]

You guys wanna fatten me and my girl up?!? Dang!!! As a West Coastie, I was counting all of the steakhouses everyone was mentioning! It seems that all of the restaurants mentioned were steakhouses!!! LOL!

Just kidding. I'm planning on celebrating our anniversary in the Windy City (God and weather permitting) and a steakhouse would be just fine. Now only if I could choose which one to go to! 

This thread is kinda running long on Chicago eateries (which I don't mind) but I guess Milwaukee is still the gastronomic step-sister of Chicago?!?

I recognize Saz's and Mo's but there are more I do NOT recognize. Hmmm...Still game for any tips!

Keep them coming...especially the "what to do's"...ya foodies!!!

[sailwi]

4th base is so overpriced and you never know what the cost is until you get your bill.  I haven't been there in a number of years because you could eat at a lot of fine restaurants for the same price.

I would throw out Tess (North/oakland) great patio, great food and a sister restaurant in the 3rd ward across from the Italian CC Holiday House.  Riverwalk Bistro is also good, next to Ale House on the river, good outdoor seating on the river.  

Would also recomend County Claire as a good alternative to the Pfister, etc,had people stay there last summer for our wedding and all liked it for the price and there is an Irish bar in the lobby.   The Knick and Osterio del ??? are right around the corner and good standbys for great patio dining.

Reading all these replies and thinking about good restaurants to recomend made me realize how many good restaurants we have for a city this size and the redevelopment of the river as a entertainment destination.

[GOO]

Milwaukee:  Check out Coquette Cafe in the 3rd Ward.  Reasonably priced, very good food.  My favorite place in Milwaukee.  Best food for the money around.  Very comfortable place, very much like being in France.  Three Brother's, while hard to find, is great.  It is in an old Schlitz tavern.  Very good food a Beard winner (hope I spelled that right).  If you want a 7 course meal type of place, upscale, more formal, try Sanfords in Milwaukee.  
Coepers in Milwaukee was recently on a top 7 steak house list in America (Saveur magazine) as was Gene and Georgetti's (Chicago; same magazine).  These are old style steak houses.  Coepers is like going to your uncles basement in the 70's as far as decore (or maybe even the 50's).  Not my taste, I like Mo's better or Chophouse because I'm not into the decore at Coepers.  Elsa's is still good and still serves a great hamburger.  The 3rd Ward also has some nice seating outside along the river if the weather is nice - both Milwaukee Al House and Riverwalk? have outdoor seating... Riverwalk has a great Mojito (at least to me, because I don't like the overly sweet Mojitos and Riverwalks is good).  As stated above, check out onmilwaukee.com and check out Getto's top 30 at jsonline.com

Chicago: If you want to go to one of the best, if not the best place in America (many magazines such as Gourmet, not just me saying this, as well as some food lovers that I know who eat everywhere) try Alinea in Chicago. I think their website is www.alinea.com   It isn't cheap and with wine and tip will set you back about 250 per person.  But amazingly, it is worth it.  It is that good.  Best service, best food, unique, and not stuffy despite being upscale - friendly staff.  Creative but still really good, the creativity isn't a substitute for great food like many upscale places.  Best place I've ever eaten at anywhere.  If you can afford it and have a couple of hours, Alinea is a once in a lifetime type of place.
 Hotels:  As for Milwaukee, the Hilton is good for the price if you can get it around $100 a night.  Pfister can get pricey but the Pfister and Hotel Metro are closer to night life, etc.  As for the Ambassador, West of Marquette, but I want to try it.  If your not driving, probably too far from the night life.

[GOO]

Alinea:  The correct web address is: http://www.alinea-restaurant.com/

[77ncaachamps]

Thanks for the corrected link. I saw this restaurant on TV before...some chic food critic was talking about the dangling food holders as a new eating experience.

It looks good and I'm all about taste, but if I plunked down close two Benjies and was STILL hungry...something's wrong here. 

[mu_hilltopper]

Could someone explain Sobelman's?  Seems like there's a lot of love for the place .. what makes it so special?

http://www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com/about.html

[Chili]

Could someone explain Sobelman's?  Seems like there's a lot of love for the place .. what makes it so special?

http://www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com/about.html

Their signature burger is unreal. Trust us. They are fantastic.

[4everwarriors]

good food, visit Roots. Haven't had a bad meal there and it won't cost you a family jewel. Sit on the patio overlooking the Milwaukee "skyline," close your eyes and imagine you're in San Francisco.
For Sunday brunch, Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro is a winner with the lady of your life, guaranteed.

[Sir Lawrence]

good food, visit Roots. Haven't had a bad meal there and it won't cost you a family jewel. Sit on the patio overlooking the Milwaukee "skyline," close your eyes and imagine you're in San Francisco.
For Sunday brunch, Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro is a winner with the lady of your life, guaranteed.

Both very good choices.  Roots is a bit on the "crunchy" side--but if you can score a patio table, the view of the city is, as 4ever indicated, sweet.  I also second 4ever's opinion of Lake Park for brunch--it's a can't miss. 

As to Sobleman's, Chili is correct, plus the building is old time Milwaukee, when the brewery's owned taverns outright and served pickled eggs, etc.   Plus, it's very close to campus, and the valley fields.

[MUDPT]

One time we tried to go to Sobleman's before an MU soccer game and were denied secondary to the bar being closed.  Reason: Family reunion in Ohio per the sign on the door.

[mu_hilltopper]

I agree with the comments about Roots' atmosphere, especially outside, it's wonderful .. but not about the food.  The menu is just .. odd.  Never had a good meal there.

[NavinRJohnson]

If you are looking for one steakhouse for one meal in Chicago, Gibson's is definitely it. It is a bit of a place to see and be seen, but the food and atmosphere are also excellent.

I agree with the others who said skip 4th Base. For the same price you can sit down at a place like Mo's, Yanni's, etc. and get better food, service, and atmosphere.

[MilTown]

You can't go wrong with Gibson's. The only problem is that it can get a bit noisy and borderline rowdy in there on most nights. Rush Street is always bustling with activity, so, if you are looking for more of a relaxed romantic meal, it might not be the best fit. 

I'm with you on 4th base. The prices (or lack of stated prices) are ridiculious. I went there once and would never go back.

So, what took the place of Giovanni's?