My Top 5 Favorites Places to Eat in Chicago

I RARELY do memes, but Mamacita has been a loyal reader for a LONG, so I just can't say no. Plus, this is a fun one.

Step 1: Add a direct link to your post below the name of the person who tagged you. Include the city/state and country you’re in.

Nicole (Sydney, Australia)
velverse (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
LB (San Giovanni in Marignano, Italy)
Selba (Jakarta, Indonesia)
Olivia (London, England)
ML (Utah, USA)
Lotus (Toronto, Canada)
tanabata (Saitama, Japan)
Andi (Dallas [ish], Texas, United States)
Todd (Louisville, Kentucky, United States)
miss kendra (los angeles, california, u.s.a)
Jiggs Casey (Berkeley, CA, USA! USA! USA!)
Tits McGee (New England, USA)
Kat (Ontario, Canada)
Cheezy (London, England)
tafka PP (Jerusalem, Israel)
Liza ("Northern" Israel)
Beth (Dublin, Ireland)
Emily (San Francisco, CA, USA)
Mamacita (Houston, TX, USA)
Foodmomiac (Chicago, IL, USA)

Step 2: List out your top 5 favorite places to eat at your location.

Hopleaf: This Belgian bar/restaurant is my favorite date night spot, though my husband swears that the strong beer makes me beligerant. I don't love their main courses, but give me a couple of Belgian brews and an order of mussels and fries (with aioli!) for two, and I'm happy as a clam (or mussel).

Naha: The food here is top notch, but also quite expensive. Get a taste, for less, by sitting at the bar for your meal and ordering off the special lounge menu.

Shaw's Crab House: This restaurant offers multiple experiences in just one location. Sit at the regular bar, the oyster bar (our favorite) or in the restaurant itself. This is one of our favorite places for a splurge. Nothing says indulgent quite like a lobster bib.

Sola: We've only been here once, but we are dying to get back, so I'm adding it to my list. If you can't get a reservation (you generally need to call at least two weeks in advance), try getting a spot at the bar. The scallops entree is out of this world.

Homemade Pizza Company: This is our Thursday night standard. Our favorite order? Spinach salad and a large Sausage and Carmelized Onion pizza.

Step 3: Tag 5 more people.
OK, This part is hard for me. If you'd like to participate, please do so, and put a link to your post in my comments!

Comments

[Kara]

I had no idea you could get so much good seafood in Chicago. Good to know!

That Naha Lounge Menu sounds like my cup of tea. I was so excited when I first heard of tapas -- I am definitely the make-a-meal-of-appetizers type.

Thanks for playing along, Danielle!

[yournamehere]

I love Chicago. So many great restaurants. Thanks for sharing yours with us.

[Nicole]

Although HOpleaf doesn't have much food there..but I'm definately going to be there if they have nice beer!!! Belgian beers are yum!!! Shaw's Crab House with their oyster bar sounds great too..wish I can go there and eat

Ps thanks for doing the tag. I hope you enjoyed it.. If you know of anyone else doing it please feel free to send me a message and I’ll update them too on the updated list of tag doers

[Kalyn]

Great fun hearing about the Chicago restaurants you like. I'm planning a post for Blogher for Chicago restaurant picks, so I'll definitely include this.

[velverse]

I love scallops... so Sola sounds just great. Oh.. it reminded me some other scallops stuff I ate. Mouth watering and the Lobster Bib from Shaw's.

Yeah.. you noticed I am a seafood fan too eh. Oh.. I love all those great stuff you recommend.

Really glad you did the tag! :D

[Tammy Coxen]

Thanks, Foodmomiac, for the inspiration to update my much neglected blog. My post is here.

[ikate]

Ohh - I love the lobster roll at Shaw's Crab House!

[Cynthia Samuels]

It's great to get Chicago ideas right before BlogHer, no? Here is my DC list. http://dontgelyet.typepad.com/dontgeltoosoon/2007/05/dc_restaurants_.html

[180/360]

One of my good friends highly recommends Shaw's.

We visit Chicago quite a bit for work- what do you think of Rick Bayless restaurants like Frontera Grill and Topolobampo? Just curious, as I've really enjoyed his PBS series and we have reservations later this month while we were in town...

Thanks!