What to Eat in Chicago!

Here we are in January and only two weeks away from ProMat 2013!

Here at MHI we have been very busy getting ready for the show but we’ve also had a little time to start a list of restaurants we would like to visit while we are in Chicago.

Small Plates

The Purple Pig – Not sure what you want for dinner, then this is the place for you. One Chicago’s most delicious–and easygoing–foodie destinations.  Communal tables, small plates, long hours, and a huge L-shaped bar (with excellent beer and wine lists), make this a great place to relax after the show.

Café Ba-Ba-Reeba – Recommended by friends who have lived and visited Chicago often, this place won me over by mentioning pintxos on their menu. If you’ve traveled to the Basque country of Spain you know what I mean.

Top Chefs

Sable – Heather Terhune was eliminated early from Top Chef Texas, but her American small-plates eatery in Chicago’s River North neighborhood has a strong following. Definitely a place to go with a group and share your plates around the table.

Table 52 – Oprah’s former personal chef Art Smith calls this restaurant home. Noted as the home of southern hospitality in Chicago, we southerners want to test out his fare.

Seafood

L2O – Chef Matthew Kirkley’s spent much of his childhood crab fishing alongside his father on the docks of Chesapeake Bay. His cuisine reflects a repertoire of new and traditional cooking methods, exploring the intricacies of fish and shellfish in artful compositions, crediting crab fishing with developing the reverence for pristine, honestly treated food that shapes his culinary philosophy .

GT Fish & Oyster – Chef Giuseppe Tentori just won the local Food Emmy of Chicago Dining, The Jean Banchet Award for Best Chef. Combine that with an appetizing menu of seafood and we had to add it to the list.

Steak

Keefer’s – A must visit for Tom Carbott, Senior Vice President of Exhibitions, when he’s in Chicago. Recognized by the Food Network as a Best of Chicago for Steak, this independently owned restaurant will be sure to have something to tempt your taste buds.

Dessert

Hot Chocolate – Yes, they serve food here, but with chocolate in the name, you know the desserts are going to be delectable. Pastry Creator, Mindy Segal has won many accolades for her work including being recognized by The James Beard Foundation.

Unfortunately, we may not be able to visit every restaurant on our list but we’re sure going to try! Any restaurant you love in Chicago? A can’t miss? Let us know and we’ll post it to our list!

Also, let us know where you went in Chicago after the show so that we can add them to our list for next time!