Restaurant recommendations?

[Mr.Law]

Hey guys-

I have the tendency to wait until the last minute for everything, but Eleni's folks are flying in from NY and will be staying with us for the weekend. I'm in need of some recommendations for a good restaurant in the city. I've been to several which I like, but I figure there could be something out there that I'm not aware of. It's not as though her folks come every day, so $$$ is not an issue. I just want them to enjoy themselves and Chicago, of course. I need to know by tomorrow (Saturday) noon at the latest. Thanks!

M

 

[RenzoMSP]

Tbk

 

[rktktpaul]

- La Strada Ristoranti @ the corner of Michigan & Randolph. Great food, across the street from Millenium Park.
-Nick's Fishmarket. Bank One Plaza.
-Peterino's. Dearborn & Randolph, I think. Awesome martini's!!
-The Palm @ Swissotel Chicago. Could be kind of neat since its an old NY restaurant.
-If $$$ no object, The Pump Room!!!!!

 

[Dexter]

Denny's.

 

[nicpic]

How about Lawry's.

 

[Dimitrios]

I was the Kerryman's last night - Erie and Clark...good environment (family friendly too) + a good bar.

Ditka's works well - great steak and chops - IIRC, it's just west off Michigan on Erie...

La Strada is a good choice too as it's close to Millenium Park as Paul mentioned....

Also, try Hooters (yes)..

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Berghoff's, Spago, or heck the Billy Goat Tavern

 

[ariana]

Grand Lux Cafe above Ann Taylor on Michigan Ave.

 

[JOS3]

so how did it go? good, i hope....

 

[lakersfan1]

Marche. It's a French fusion place with a contemporary decor. About $50/head if I remember.

 

[Mr.Law]

so how did it go? good, i hope....

Thanks for all the recommendations. I'll definitely keep them handy for when Eleni and I go out on the weekends. We ended up settling for Greektown, as her parents have never been there. It was great - the food, ambiance, etc. We spent the day giving them a tour of the city (not that we're very familiar seeing that we're newcomers ourselves). It actually worked out well as we had the opportunity to visit sites we otherwise would not have made time for. On our way around town, I spotted quite a few Mazdas and wanted to beep or wave, but they (her folks) would have thought, "WTF?" We're heading out in a couple minutes to Millennium Park and then hang out at one of the 'fantabulous' beaches. Anyone been to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion? I've got tickets for the World Music Festival tomorrow evening. Should be good times.

 

[Dimitrios]

The pavillion is awesome; you'll enjoy it to be sure...

 

[Mr.Law]

The pavillion is awesome; you'll enjoy it to be sure...

You weren't kidding - it blew my mind (wow). I'm a huge architecture fan, so let me just say I was impressed. There's an event going on again on Sun., Sept. 25 - the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Eleni's into that, but I'll be (sleep) to be sure.

I'll be converting to the Orthodox faith shortly. Should questions come up, would it be cool to contact you? If not, it's no problem - seriously. Just thought I'd ask seeing that you're Greek. Thanks man.

M

 

[Dimitrios]

No problemo; just let me know. I'm sure you'll get plenty of guidance....

 

[rktktpaul]

Which is longer, Christmas or Easter mass??

 

[Dimitrios]

Easter for sure: 1 1/2 hour or so for the "Resurrection" service and then another 2 hours or so for the liturgy ("mass") afterwards...Christmas is a cake walk.

 

[Mr.Law]

Easter for sure: 1 1/2 hour or so for the "Resurrection" service and then another 2 hours or so for the liturgy ("mass") afterwards...Christmas is a cake walk.

I definitely concur. I attend church on a weekly basis with Eleni, but boy, those Easter services are longggggggggg. I must say, though, they are beautiful. Despite the fact that I'm not yet an Orthodox Christian, but rather a Catholic, I feel uplifted at the end of every mass (half the time I'm confused because I have no idea what the priest is saying as he conducts the mass in Greek). My next goal is to learn some Greek. So Dimitrios, I'm counting on you to teach me (j/k) . i.e., if you're fluent yourself.

You mentioned grad. school - what are you studying? Good luck to you.

 

[rktktpaul]

Hey Dimi, where do you go to church? One of my consulting engineers goes to the church in Hammond.

 

[Dimitrios]

I definitely concur. I attend church on a weekly basis with Eleni, but boy, those Easter services are longggggggggg. I must say, though, they are beautiful. Despite the fact that I'm not yet an Orthodox Christian, but rather a Catholic, I feel uplifted at the end of every mass (half the time I'm confused because I have no idea what the priest is saying as he conducts the mass in Greek). My next goal is to learn some Greek. So Dimitrios, I'm counting on you to teach me (j/k) . i.e., if you're fluent yourself.

You mentioned grad. school - what are you studying? Good luck to you.

Good deal Micheal, sounds like love indeed...awesome. BTW, if you learn anything ahead of time, try to avoid calling it "mass" (you'll get odd stares). Liturgy is the word of the day. www.goarch.org is a good resource - FAQs, contact info, etc.

That said, let me know how much help you need. What church are you all attending? Yes, I am fluent too (yes).

As for school: I'm attending Northwestern U. MEM program (www.mem.northwestern.edu). I have an Industrial Engineering Tech. degree from Purdue Calumet (http://www.calumet.purdue.edu/mets/). This is my first course so I should be done in 3 years (yippy) ...

 

[Mr.Law]

Good deal Micheal, sounds like love indeed...awesome. BTW, if you learn anything ahead of time, try to avoid calling it "mass" (you'll get odd stares). Liturgy is the word of the day. www.goarch.org is a good resource - FAQs, contact info, etc.

That said, let me know how much help you need. What church are you all attending? Yes, I am fluent too (yes).

As for school: I'm attending Northwestern U. MEM program (www.mem.northwestern.edu). I have an Industrial Engineering Tech. degree from Purdue Calumet (http://www.calumet.purdue.edu/mets/). This is my first course so I should be done in 3 years (yippy) ...

Yes, you guessed right - I love Eleni and would do anything for her. The church thing wasn't easy for me initially seeing that I'm another faith, but I quickly realized that in order to strengthen our relationship and thus make it last, this was and is necessary. Not to say that I felt forced in any way - I've done so willingly. The church is somewhat important to her, so I needed to make it a part of my life as well. Hence, it'll make things easier for when we have kids. Eleni is sweet, but she can also be very direct (it's the attorney in her I suppose). When we met, she shared with me how several of her relatives who married non-Greeks ended up in divorce because of the differences in their backgrounds (culture, religion, etc.). It's tough, and I'm the first to admit that it's easier when you're with someone from the same or similar background. I'm Italian and Irish, but don't identify with either. My folks were very "American" and never bothered to uphold any of the traditions, et al. From what I've observed, Greeks maintain a strong culture and faith - and I think it's great.

As for church, we haven't really found a "home" church yet - we go "church-hopping" every Sunday - from the city to the suburbs. I'm secretly hoping we can settle for one where the mass, I mean the liturgy , is conducted in English.

So, an engineer, eh? And from Purdue? I'm impressed. I used to be one (an engineer, i.e.) - actually, I still consider myself to be an engineer by degree and certification, but now I help to put the bad guys away. During my job as an engineer, I went back to school to study law. It was tough trying to balance work and school, but I'm glad I did it - what a relief. I've heard the quality of instruction at NWU is outstanding. I'm thinking about going back to take a course just for the hell of it. So, all the best to you. Keep us posted on how it goes.

Until next time,
M