I'll be on Wacker just E. of Michigan (hyatt regency) for the entire week. Aside from Intelli, any chance for coffee (that's not a multi block walk in 30 f temp, 30 mph wind)? Maybe recommended eat spots not likely to be made unpleasant by 15,000 academics attending convention? Thanks.
Martin

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Hey if either of you guys wouldn't mind, could you please forward me a list too? The Mrs. wants to hit the city for a long weekend sometime this summer...

Thanks!

Your best resource is the Reader's restaurant section

This has a restaurant finder by price, type, neighborhood, and rating. You can also search by partial names. The ratings are from readers; most are accurate, but there are ringers and undiscovereds. The written reviews are very good to excellent. So it makes sense not to screen restaurants just on ratings, but to check the reviews (especially when the reviewer is lukewarm on a place that gets a huge rating, or raving about a place that's only been open a year or two).

The quoted prices tend to be optimistic; expect to pay around 25% more if you're planning a full meal, 50% with wine.

you didn't say "good"... you said "chicago." as such, i higly recommend http://www.billygoattavern.com/home.html ... it's been many years since i've been there, but if you like cheeseburgers, and don't mind them greasy (with the added benefit of some SNL trivia) this is a great place. and if memory serves - a few steps west/downward from where you are staying, and you're there. i don't think they serve espresso.

hgs wrote:you didn't say "good"... you said "chicago." as such, i higly recommend http://www.billygoattavern.com/home.html ... it's been many years since i've been there, but if you like cheeseburgers, and don't mind them greasy (with the added benefit of some SNL trivia) this is a great place. and if memory serves - a few steps west/downward from where you are staying, and you're there. i don't think they serve espresso.

That's the place New Yorkers go to complain about how bad Chicago food is

Hmmm.... the only 'coffee' I know about which is close to your hotel is Intelligentsia (E. Randolph St. location). There are a few Lavazza stores in the Loop but I can't say I recommend them. On the other hand, Metropolis is highly recommended if you want to travel a little.

I'll give one recommendation for lunch which is just a short cab ride away - Manny's. Chicago deli/cafeteria opened in 1942. No fancy decor but good food and an interesting mix of people at lunch.

http://www.mannysdeli.com/

http://chicago.citysearch.com/review/3657263

A great source to look at for Chicago food recommendations is http://www.lthforum.com

It is not very close, but an interesting comparison, go visit Metropolis Coffee for an espresso or two, then head down the street to Intelli for another. They are two very different espresso styles and fun to compare. Metro is more African laden, more acidic and fruity and light while Intelli is a deep, chocolaty, heavy cup IMHO. Metropolis also roasts on location, if Tony is there he would probably give you a behind the scenes tour if you ask, real nice guy.