Last year I asked for recommendations for my stay in the city. I looked in the archives to see what was suggested and can not find the thread. I hate to ask again but the hubby has to eat. Last year we did Gene & Georgetti's, Japonais and a Mexican place.

Has anyone been to Carnivale? Narcisse?

Superb dinner, superb chef:

http://www.croftononwells.com/cw/index.php

Carnivale is wonderful! The decor and food both were very good. If you like ceviche, definitely try their ceviche appetizers. The mojitos are quite yummy as well.

quote:

Originally posted by farber55:
Superb dinner, superb chef:

http://www.croftononwells.com/cw/index.php

Couldn't agree more. In my younger days. . . up until we moved to the wrong side of the river (back on the right side now), I used to dine there for lunch every other Friday. Love that place.

quote:

Originally posted by Clamato:

quote:

Originally posted by farber55:
Superb dinner, superb chef:

http://www.croftononwells.com/cw/index.php

Couldn't agree more. In my younger days. . . up until we moved to the wrong side of the river (back on the right side now), I used to dine there for lunch every other Friday. Love that place.

Last time we went, we called about two days ahead and asked the chef for a tasting menu. It was *fantastic*. Eight courses or so -- plus wine to match.

Hands down, the best dinner I've had in Chicago -- ever.

I would pass on Carnevale...personally. Although the atmosphere is fun, I thought the food was just fine.

I would like to add a huge thumbs-up for Crofton on Wells. I would also like to recommend Moto....although pricey and a little bit stuffy, it is an awesome dining experience....once.

Finally, I strongly recommend Red Light and La Sardine.

Isn't Narcisse closed? And if not...isn't it more of a bar/club?

I'll echo Potts' sentiments on Carnivale. A high energy room, but the food is strictly average. You can't go wrong at Crofton. As far a La Sardine goes, I've never been but Le Bouchon further north (same owner) is one of my top 5 all-timers in the city.

Moto is top notch for food, service, and price. Oh wait, it has already been mentioned...

Has anyone been to Vongs Thai Kitchen? Some say the food is excellent and hasn't been "Americanized" like its sister Lettuce restaurants...

Sushi Samba Rio is still my favorite place.

Website here.

You'll need to select "Restaurant" from the menu bar and scroll to their Chicago location. Watch out, it's a loud website! You can view their entire menu on the website. Under the dinner menu, you can find a nice assortment of foods at all kinds of prices: Go for a main dish - larger and higher price, or piece together several smaller items (almost like having tapas). I had Chicken & Aji Amarillo with peruvian corn under "anticuchos". I also had their Edamame - the best EVER! My husband ordered a bunch of sushi and I tried a couple, again, all good. I've tried a few other things and all were excellent.

Honestly, now my mouth is watering and stomach growling....I've got to get back there.

quote:

Originally posted by Ruydah:
I'll echo Potts' sentiments on Carnivale. A high energy room, but the food is strictly average. You can't go wrong at Crofton. As far a La Sardine goes, I've never been but Le Bouchon further north (same owner) is one of my top 5 all-timers in the city.

Speaking of high energy rooms with **** food...what was the name of that bar you and I used to go to...Hudson Club or some crap like that? That was terrible. Dined there twice...simply miserable. I have a fish dish where the sauce was studded with frozen sea scallop. Frozen as in still frozen...not previously frozen.

Good bar, though.

2 things I remember from that place. That they had roughly 1,735 wines by the glass in that ginormous cooler that spanned the bar and you pretending to know the pastry chef and getting us free dessert. That was the best!

Another vote for Sushi Samba. It's across Wells from Crofton.

There's also a steak house there -- south of Crofton and Sushi Samba on the west side of Wells. Kinzie Chophouse, I think, is what it's called. Haven't tried it yet, but I've heard it's pretty good.

Lots of interesting places there.

You know a really good steak place...Keefer's....maybe it's Keifer's. Across the street from that really awful Harry Carey's.

Hi,

Here's my review;
Japonais = overpriced and over-rated
Sushi Samba = Fun restaurant with unique items on the menu
Carnivale = Fun to hang out and have a drink but skip the food. It's average.

ANYTHING Susie Crofton puts her name on is bound to be very good.

Not sure if this was mentioned already but we love Sushi Wabi.

My suggestions:

Sepia (so good, you may lick the plates)

Tru

one sixtyblue (excellent place)

Alinea (get ready for a $1k night plus and a wonderfully strange night, have not been here yet.)

Everest

Moto

Naha

The Village (The Italian Village)

MK

Nine

Nacional 27 (one of my favorites, especially late with the latin music and dancing)

Meritage

NoMI

Amy I hate to do this to you because I like you so much BUT:

I ABSOLUTELY HATE SUSHI SAMBA RIO - I THINK IT'S THE WORST SUSHI RESTAURANT IN THE CITY....BY FAR.

Sorry, I feel better now....I've been holding it in all day.

Wow! I can see that I'll be spending tonight looking all these up. I think with all these we'll just do Carnivale for drinks. I haven't had a good mojito in a long time. I love sushi but it may be a sell to hubby. It might be a place I should go with my daughter. Hopefully, by tomorrow I should have a decision. The 26th is not usually crowded at restarants so I may not need a reservation. The Friday I anticipate the crowds to pick up. Appreciate all the suggestions.

quote:

Originally posted by M:
Wow! I can see that I'll be spending tonight looking all these up. I think with all these we'll just do Carnivale for drinks. I haven't had a good mojito in a long time. I love sushi but it may be a sell to hubby. It might be a place I should go with my daughter. Hopefully, by tomorrow I should have a decision. The 26th is not usually crowded at restarants so I may not need a reservation. The Friday I anticipate the crowds to pick up. Appreciate all the suggestions.

If you are looking at Mexican, you can't go wrong with Salpicon on Wells in Old Town. Not your junk Mexican food.

quote:

Originally posted by JRPotts:
Amy I hate to do this to you because I like you so much BUT:

I ABSOLUTELY HATE SUSHI SAMBA RIO - I THINK IT'S THE WORST SUSHI RESTAURANT IN THE CITY....BY FAR.

Sorry, I feel better now....I've been holding it in all day.

I'm glad you feel better.

My husband thought the sushi was good but the other times we've been there, we didn't even have sushi - as I described in my post. So, if someone wants South American/Japanese fusion and doesn't like sushi, there is still plenty to try. And their Mojitos are EXCELLENT. One of my favorite drinks.

So, Mr. Potts, you can have your opinion and M could still go and have a great meal without touching the sushi.

Ok, I think I've made some decisions. Well, narrowed it down until hubby checks it out.

Night #1 - Red Light, Vong's, Dragonfly

Night #2 National 27, MK, Sepia (actually had a print customer there years ago)

Night #3 - Croftons

Carnivale for drinks

Now any suggestions for sakes? hot? cold? brand? Even bother to try?