Restaurants

Top picks for Italian, Asian, Southwestern---or any other ';must dine'; restaurants not to be missed on a Chicago visit. Staying in the Hotel Monaco--so downtown area. Price not an issue.

Also, a great jazz venue.

Thanks!

Restaurants

The best Italian is Spiagga the best southwestern (more mexican) is Topolobompo both of the chefs at these restaurants are world famous...But when you say price isn%26#39;t an issue, are you really willing to pay a couple hundred of dollars per person for a meal?

Restaurants

Must dine is Charlie Trotter%26#39;s

http://www.charlietrotters.com/index-old.asp

Definately.

Come to think of it, downtown Italian is Italian Village or Petterino%26#39;s, both excellent.

The Frontera Grill (Rick Bayliss) has just won the James Beard award for the best restaurant in the States.

The current Chicago magazine has its regular list of restaurant ratings plus an article about the really good new ones. www.chicagomag.com

';Also, a great jazz venue';

http://www.andysjazzclub.com/

Howdy,

If money is no object - definitely Charlie Trotters. If you have a party of four or five, try to get the kitchen table - it%26#39;s a fun experience. Tru is also good and Fontera Grill is a must for mexican/southwestern.

For Italian, Spiaggia is great and has already been mentioned - but I%26#39;d consider heading to Taylor street and hitting either Tuscany (try their pear ravioli) or Rosebud. Another of my favorites is Riccardo Trattoria (2119 N. Clark). And if you%26#39;re in the Lakevew/Wrigleyville area, Francesa is also a fun place.

If you%26#39;re in Chicago another ';must'; in my opinion is a Chicago style pizza. So check out Lou Malnottis, Pizzaria Uno or Due, Ginos or Edwardos.

For jazz - check to see if Jazz Showcase is open again. It%26#39;s one of the best places, but currently is closed. Pop%26#39;s for Champenge is fun if you%26#39;re looking for something more romantic. Green Dolphnin Street is one of my favoite clubs. They bring in great acts, the accoustics are good and the sound engineer is excellent. They have a great bar and wine list. They also serve dinner - but it%26#39;s pricey and good, not great.

Have a great trip!

Japonais is a great choice for Asian. Be sure to arrive early or plan for after-dinner cocktails downstairs in the lounge. It is especially lovely this time of year when one can utilize the outdoor space. www.citysearch.com

Website is www.JaponaisChicago.com

It is a taxi ride (fare s/b less than $10 from Monaco), but worth it.

Those are great choices! I second Spiaggia and Frontera Grill. A great Pan-Asian restaurant is Roy%26#39;s on north State Street.

Jazz Showcase is definitely closed. Another option is Andy%26#39;s Jazz on Hubbard. For a great jazz/Chicago experience try the Green Mill. It%26#39;s a hike - about a $15 - $20 cab ride from downtown, but the music is great and the atmosphere is unparalleled. It used to be an Al Capone hangout!

If you are looking for an outstanding restaurant with Asian influences, try Kevin. The meal is a wonderful combination of classic French cooking with Asian technique and ingredients. For instance he serves ';liver'; [with a nod to a certain local ordinance that should be overturned as soon as the new city counsel is sworn in] in an incredible spring roll. It was once of the best dishes of any sort that I have ever had.

Service is outstanding. They have a nice wine program, featuring very nice wines by the glass. Tables are spaced nicely.

For Italian, I agree on Spiaggia. I have heard rumors that Chef Mantuano plans to move on to a different venture this summer. Enjoy it while you can. It is also a beautiful place to have a meal. His Cafe Spiaggia is also very good (dinner for two at Spiaggia will run roughly $400, while dinner at the Cafe will run about $200).

Talking of great pizzas (?) I walked past Katacomb on the 1900 block of Lincoln and I swear I have never seen it before. It%26#39;s a little south of Renalli%26#39;s and it advertizes itself as the best pizza in Chicago. Anyone know anything about it.