Ony one stop in Chicago

If it were me, I'd stay at the Crowne Plaza on Madison and stay in the "west loop" area. From that hotel, you can walk to have dinner at The Publican or Girl and the Goat and also hit Beer Bistro, Haymarket, Jak's Tap, Au Cheval, etc for beers.

 

For one night, with a little bit of class? I'd start at Haymarket and then do dinner at Publican.

 

For class? Forget Chicago and stay in Munster...

 

This is good advice

This is not

 

Great suggestions (I live in the West Loop). Also, Little Goat, Stephanie Izard's second restaurant, a diner concept, may also be open by then. It's just down the street from Girl & The Goat, and it promises to have a great menu and a promising tap list as well.

It's hard to find another area in Chicago with so many places that have amazing tap lists and exceptional food in such close proximity.

 

+1 for Haymarket/Girl & the Goat

 

Should you decide on Girl/Goat, make reservations. Last attempt I made at reservations, I found out that the place was booked for weeks.

 

They do have some seating set aside for walk-in and the bar is first come, first served. Having said that it could end up be 1+ hour wait. However, I have been lucky enough to "walk-in" during a lull and find a seat almost immediately in the bar area.

 

You need 3 months advance to get a reservation. The only option is to get there right away when they open at 5:30pm. You won't wait too long, especially if you go during the week. I highly recommend this place. It is mine and my wife's favorite.

 

I would suggest you go to Fountainhead for dinner (they also have a great beer list), then walk over to Half Acre's taproom and have a couple of pints. If you want to forgo a classy dinner, you can order the best burgers in the city at Bad Apple and eat them at the Half Acre tap room

 

girl and the goat is chicago's single most overrated restaurant.

 

I've been to Fountainhead twice and have had two bad experiences. I'm done with them. I do like Bad Apple/Half Acre idea. That could work.

 

Also really tough to get into

I would go for The Publican -- always a bangin beer list, food is top notch and it's a pretty easy reservation. I have also walked in on a Friday/Saturday night and gotten a table with a very short wait (less than 20 minutes). Only a few blocks away from Haymarket as well.

 

the 'really tough to get into' is what kills it for me. i've eaten there twice, and while the food is mostly decent, i've had some real duds - mostly dishes that were grossly oversalted. it doesn't even come close to living up to the hype that it gets. same reason i don't go to kuma's anymore, though to be fair, kumas did live up to the hype - but once everyone figured out kumas' formula there's no more reason to wait two hours for a burger.

the ever hyped longman and eagle on the other hand? phenomenal food every time.

i'd recommend publican and haymarket, though i've never been to publican myself. i should probably change that soon. i'll be at maude's liquor bar and haymarket on wednesday for my anniversary.

 

maude's pork belly

 

If you go to The Publican, try and make a reservation for a booth. I've sat at the communal tables but prefer the private booths.

 

I've had the same horrible server both times I've been to Fountainhead, but that place is still awesome, they do need to get rid of that guy. I don't know what your complaint was.

 

FTFY

 

For beer u should check out Piece. It is in wicker park I believe. Check it out.