 |
Dining - The Great Tastes of Chicago
Chicago is a multicultural U.S. city incorporating ethnic neighbourhoods spanning the globe, from Italian and Irish to Greek and Swedish, and this cultural diversity is reflected in its cuisine, which is as varied as its citizens. There are a multitude of international delights to be savoured from the signature deep-dish pizza pie, to southern soul food and fine continental cuisine – and that’s just for starters!
Pizzeria Uno offers a genuine taste of Chicago — Ike Sewell invented the deep-dish pizza pie more than 60 years ago. Alternatively, Gino’s East of Chicago serves up equally impressive pizzas. Wrigley Field provides the chance to catch a Chicago Cubs game and order a hot dog prepared Chicago-style: an all-beef Vienna hot dog, topped with mustard, relish, onions, hot peppers, tomato, pickle and celery salt, served in a poppyseed bun. For those who can’t make it to the ballpark, a great alternative is the Superdawg Drive-In, which gives a flavour of authentic Chicago 1950s and days gone by when waitresses delivered burgers and hot dogs directly to the car window. Billy Goat Tavern, an old-style sports bar themed with Cubs baseball memorabilia and Wrigley Field stadium chairs, is a favourite amongst local Chicagoans. Gibsons Steakhouse is a watering hole favoured by Chicago politicians, sports honchos and superstars such as Jack Nicholson and Michael Jordan. Bigger is better at Gibsons — renowned for its big martinis, big steaks and big desserts. Chicago Chop House is repeatedly rated amongst the top five steakhouses in America. Its collection of mayoral photos is historical, as not even City Hall has pictures of every single Chicago mayor.
For upmarket dining in style, visitors will be spoilt for choice with Chicago’s ample options and views to match. NoMi, at the Park Hyatt Hotel, combines American with French cuisine and has deservedly earned its reputation as one of Chicago’s finest restaurants. Acclaimed Chef Sandro Gamba was named in Food & Wine magazine's coveted list of ‘America's Best New Chefs’. Located on Chicago’s ‘Magnificent Mile’, NoMi offers spectacular views of the city and lake. The Signature Room, located on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Centre, offers unique dining experiences and views of surrounding states. Everest, as its name suggests, is situated on the top floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange and serves Alsatian cuisine created by acclaimed chef Jean Joho. The impressive 800 bottle wine list features nearly 300 items from the Alsace region.
For those who don’t fancy heights, Chicago has a sparkling array of fine dining experiences on offer. Charlie Trotter’s mixes European with Asian and American and was awarded ‘America's Best Restaurant’ by Wine Spectator magazine in 2000, so advanced booking is highly advisable. Tru is another famed favourite and rated the number one restaurant in Chicago by Zagat’s Survey. Tru is a lavish setting for serious dining, anchored by French-influenced creations and sweetened by spectacular desserts. Tru’s Pastry chef Gale Gand is a celebrity chef in her own right with a TV show and several cookbooks. MK offers an eclectic menu, including dishes such as venison, potato and leek puree, and lobster with mango. Local Chicago Tribune food critic Phil Vettell describes MK’s food as, “delightful, almost without exception.” The Randolph Street corridor has been reborn into a chic, upscale area housing several of Chicago’s trendiest restaurants, art galleries and nightclubs. Randolph Street is home to popular restaurants such as Marché, Red Light, Sushi Wabi, Blackbird and Nine.
Chicago offers culinary delights from all corners of the globe, often making dining an impromptu adventure. Parthenon offers simple but delicious Greek cuisine in the heart of Greektown. Though only a few blocks west of Chicago’s downtown, Greektown reflects all the smells, sounds and tastes of the Mediterranean. The area features authentic shops, bars, and restaurants on Halsted Street between Madison and Van Buren. The Old World traditions and Greek culture, coupled with scenic views of the city’s skyline have led to a flourishing neighbourhood. Ann Sather’s in Andersonville is popular with Chicagoans for breakfast and brunch and dishes up traditional Swedish food including herring and lingonberry dishes, potato sausage and pancakes. Tatra's, on Chicago’s South Side, is a 30-year-old institution serving Eastern European classics. Its name refers to the mountain range bordering Poland and the Czech Republic but most visitors conjure up images of their tantalising homemade potato pierogis when thinking of Tatra’s. Mirai is a stylish sushi spot offering both familiar items and avant-garde appetizers and entrees for the more adventurous eater. An upstairs lounge houses a DJ spinning an eclectic mix of drum 'n' bass.
As the world capital of the blues, Chicago offers the food to go alongside the music. Buddy Guy’s Legends is one of the most famous blues clubs in the city and has not only a great collection of blues memorabilia but also a tasty menu including shrimp Creole, jambalaya and barbecued ribs. Live music is performed seven nights a week with local acts featured during the week and national touring acts on Friday and Saturday nights. Celebrity sightings aren’t uncommon – Mick Jagger has been known to stop by for an impromptu jam when in Chicago.
Ed Debevic’s, a 1950s style diner, specialising in hamburgers and diner food provides a humorous U.S. diner experience in a rock ‘n’ roll setting. Gum snapping, quick-witted waitresses are sure to call guests “honey” and heckle them when they don’t clean their plates or say “please” and “thank you.” Lou Mitchell’s, located at the start of Route 66, gives a taste of the genuine article. The perfect pit stop before a drive down the Mother Road, Lou’s menu and homey environment has been satisfying customers for over 80 years.
The Taste of Chicago food festival takes place 24th June – 4th July 2005 in Grant Park and gives foodies the opportunity to revel in the wide-ranging culinary treats of the city (and the world) during its ten-day duration. Whatever the taste or appetite, Chicago offers a true adventure in dining.
For more information or to obtain a brochure, call the Chicago & Illinois Tourist Office’s Freephone Brochure Line on 08700 503410 or visit online www.gochicago.com For further information or photography, (media only) please contact Jackie Cooper PR:
Favourite Local Dishes Pizzeria Uno Gino’s East of Chicago Superdawg Drive In Billy Goat Tavern Gibsons Steakhouse Chicago Chop House
NoMi Signature Room Everest
Charlie Trotter’s Tru MK Nine
Parthenon Ann Sather Tatra Inn Mirai
Buddy Guy's Legends
Ed Debevic’s Lou Mitchell’s
The ‘most popular’ restaurants in Chicago, Zagat's Survey says, with the kind of food featured:
|
|
|
|
 |
|
