r/chicagofood

Staying near Michigan and the river

I am looking to book a tasting menu dinner at one of Chicago’s Michelin starred restaurants, and I’m running into an issue in that I generally do not enjoy seafood, which seems to make up the bulk of most menus right now.

I don’t have an allergy, and I will taste anything. But while I may occasionally enjoy it, I usually can’t have more than one or two bites, and often find it nauseating. There are some things that I do like (oysters, some raw fish, and the occasional shrimp).

I’ve been trying for many years to get over this aversion, but realistically, it would be a bummer of a dinner for me if a large portion of the menu was seafood.

Every place that I’ve looked says online that they are unable to accommodate aversions. I’m not picky other than this, and don’t want to fake an obscure allergy to some but not all fish.

Any tips on places that are more accommodating or just less focused on seafood?

I so badly need a happy hour with a big fat chocolate chip cookie on the menu. Recommendation please?

I get it, why would you choose this place if you don't eat meat, however, my partner wants to try it on an upcoming visit and it looks like there are quite a few options for me--tuna salad is usually my go to but they also have a veggie reuben. Has anyone tried the veg reuben? Is it good?

I'm driving up to visit Chicago and want to go eat in Chinatown. Which restaurants there provide validation for the Metropolis lot? Thanks!

I had a housewarming in January and picked up Lawrence Fish Market sashimi (and it was outstanding and a good value). I’m debating going back there but I’d like other options for lunch. Any recommendations?

Trying to spend $200-300 for say 15 people ideally not too far from Logan Square.

Chicago has lost many great restaurants and I want to remember some of my favs, a lot of them were my favorite lunch spots too and most disappeared around covid.

My Thai at the Presidential Towers was amazing. They had incredible noodle dishes and a fantastic duck and rice dish to die for.

Venice Cafe was my go to for a nice Italian lunch. They had a great value chicken and angel hair dish that was my favorite.

The buffet on the second floor of the Opera House was always a weekly visit. They never disappointed for variety and value.

65 was hands down my favorite downtown Chinese restaurant. It had authentic flavors, cooked by actual Chinese chefs!

Away from downtown I miss a lot of the Korean restaurants that used to pepper Chicago - Song Do, the AYCE BBQ; and a whole host of family owned ones that have long gone. Only Cho Sun Ok remains from the old days, replaced by more modern/upscale places that do too much cheese!

Not a lost restaurant but a lost dish is the goat stew from Woo Chon, a Korean place. I was so addicted to that dish, we went there twice a week and one day, out of nowhere the chef changed and the dish was never the same.

Melrose in boys town had a diner that had a cabbage soup that I miss to this day! And Clark's was another late night favorite diner of mine, we don't see to many 24hr places any longer sadly.

The lesson is that if you have a favorite dish, keep eating it before it disappears! Does anyone have favorite dishes they still miss?

My foodie best friend decided to come to town on very short notice, and on a weekend (this coming one) to boot.

The first thing I did of course was fire up OpenTable and Resy, and surprising nobody there were no reservations available at anywhere I want to take them. (There was briefly a slot that appeared at Kasama but then it went poof.)

So I'm here, hat in hand, to see if anyone has any suggestions of their favorite places (pretty much anything except sushi) that hold some space for walk-ins on the weekend, in the standard impossible Cool Creative Buzzy Tier occupied by places like Kasama, Carino, Daises, etc., but, well, not those places in particular because I don't have a time machine lol

TIA

I orginally left this review for Tzuco online but wanted to leave it here. Truly truly amazing

Dinner reservation on August 17. Out of towner from the west coast. Had the honor of dining at Paseo another Carlos Gaytan restaurant last year which was amazing and up to this point the finest meal I’ve ever had. But Tzuco was just something altogether different and phenomenal. The ambience the decor the layout. But the really stars and highlights were the food and drink selections and the staff. As amazing as the food and drinks are-again the best I’ve ever had on both counts (FYI the mahi mahi and conchinita pibil with the maiz desert, the limon dessert and the esquites sides oh and a few Cantaritos and coconut margaritas) the service staff was just otherworldly and I apologize for not getting everyone’s names. Edward K was our server he was just so kind and helpful but also personable. Great recommendations and you could tell how proud he was of the food and service there. All the kitchen staff and runners the bartenders just again thank you all so very much for this. Truly truly memorable and one of a kind.

I have spent a lot of time all over India and eaten lots of Indian food, although I cannot do spicy at all. I am very comfortable with authentic places. My friend has made it to her 60s never eaten Indian! I’ve been to Devon over the years but not frequently (carless). We will have a car for this adventure.

I would like to focus on the typical North Indian staples (including chicken/non-veg) for a first time. We can do the NW suburbs (not as far a Schaumburg—think Niles, Park Ridge etc), Devon or elsewhere on the NW side of the city.

1. Go (where?) on Devon. I love the idea of showing her the saree shops and spice stores for a more immersive experience

2. Go (where?) on the NW side that is so good that we should break her into Indian before Devon

Can anyone recommend a good coffee shop in/near Portage Park? Someplace that won’t mind someone hanging out reading for an hour or so? I know there’s always Starbucks but I’m looking for someplace more funky/cute. Thanks in advance!