Our Fav’s
This list will continuously grow so keep checking back!
Vivian’s Top 10 – Restaurants
Alinea – $$$$ for once in a lifetime dinner experience. Skip your mortgage payment to eat here but feel like a celebrity just ONE night – Book WAY in advance.
Boka - $$$ Similar to above, but will only cost you 25% of the above experience.
Takashi - $$$ When you die, heaven is like the pork belly that is served here. Eat it twice like I did.
Sweets & Savories – $$ Tired of being alive? Kill your aeteries but make your heart flutter with the show stopping Foie Gras burger & duck fat fries here.
Japonais - $$$ – Have a special date or want to find a cool place to eat and drink? Celebrities can be found here every now and then.
Manny’s Deli – $$ – Obama eats here but there are more reasons to come. Giant sandwiches and great American comfort food.
El Veneno – $ – Nayarit is the newest up and coming destination in Mexico. Eat here to taste the regional seafood style – cheap and delicious@
Butterfly Sushi – $$ – Fresh yet inexpensive & consistently good (not to mention BYOB!!) – this one is on my regular routine
Honky Tonk Barbeque – $$ – Winner of the Memphis in May pulled pork contest 2007, BYOB and live music on the weekends – can you say “delish!”?
Michelle’s Top 10 Restaurants
Bonsoiree - $$$ for gourmet at a decent price & BYOB with small corkage free
Deleece - $$ for the best breakfast ever (think Truffled Lobster Eggs Benedict or Breakfast Mac n’ Cheese), bottomless mimosas for an additional $15 & good dinner too!
Kuma’s Corner - $$ for monster burgers, rock music and sexy time on TV screens
Hot Dougs – $ for delectable meat sausages – alligator, elk, duck and foie gras! Prepare to wait, but it’s worth it!
Lou Malnati’s – $$ for Chicago style pizza.
Weiners Circle – $ for charred dogs and a whole lot of character, visit late-night and ask for the chocolate milkshake (be prepared to tip!)
Any Rick Bayless resto for celeb chef – XOCO, Topolobombo, Frontera Grill

Hi Vivian and Michelle!
Would you be stopping by Schwa anytime soon? Chef Achatz twittered about it months ago, so I’m hoping you two will give it a shot. Schwa is on my list the next time I’m in town.
Thx for dropping by my blog!
xoxo,
Joce
Hi Joce!
Actually, we went to Schwa when it first opened, probably before most people knew about it. Back then, it wasn’t nearly as difficult to get a reservation. We loved it but haven’t been back yet!! Definitely worth a visit!
Vivian
On my way up to Chicago tomorrow, and love your blog! Was wondering breakfast/lunch/dinner if you had one day in Chicago and hadn’t made reservations anywhere…where you you spend the day eating? Thanks and keep up the great work!
Hi! Wow that’s a tough one! My pick, top of mind…..
Breakfast at … Well I only go for brunch! A fave brunch place is Deleece Pub grill
Lunch at Manny’s deli for the hot pastrami
Dinner at Macku for the chef tasting or Takashi is sooooo freaking awesome!
So is Boka. If you don’t have a budget then my pick is Takashi! Cheap seafood dinner at El Veneno for the awesome crab legs (dungeonsess)
None require reservations (maybe Macku on a weekend)
Vivian,
Thanks for the recommendations, you are going to have to roll me out of Chicago.
Today I tried:
Manny’s for lunch (pastrami and matzo ball soup)
Spam Musubi at Aloha Eats followed by
Korean Taco’s at Del Seoul
Soldiering on we had Chorizo and potato empinadas next door at Lito’s
Then Ox Tail and Sea Scallops with Microbrews at Longman and Eagle
with our final two stops of the day we went to Hot Dougs and then got maybe the best fried chicken I have ever tasted at Crisp.
Later tonight we may head out to Frontera! I love this town!
Thanks Michelle for the recommendation of the chocolate shake at Wiener Circle…it rerouted my neural synapses.
That’s insane! all great choices! I hope you enjoy your stay in Chicago!
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