Edition: Chicago Architecture 101
Business Dining in Chicago
Author: By Theresa Page
Make a reservation at one of these business-friendly, Chicago fine dining restaurants and score some points. Added bonus: they all have private dining options if you need to accommodate a larger group.
GENE AND GEORGETTI
This family-owned Italian steakhouse, which is a few blocks from the Merchandise Mart (and a quick trip from the Loop), is a popular destination for beefy business lunches and post-deal celebrations. The classic eatery has been a River North mainstay since 1941, offering a menu of steaks and chops, plus Italian specialties like eggplant Parmesan and veal scaloppine. The inviting woody space, which is reminiscent of days gone by, features both a spacious bar and wellspaced tables. The old-school vibe, bustling dining rooms and convivial service keep the locals coming back, but politicians, celebrities and sports figures are also regularly spotted here (check out the restaurant’s photo collection). 500 N. Franklin St., 312-527-3718.
HARRY CARAY’S ITALIAN STEAKHOUSE
Your sports fan clients will love the décor at this River North eatery, which is named after the beloved Chicago Cubs sportscaster—the restaurant’s chock full of baseball memorabilia. If the sports stuff isn’t enough of a draw, there’s the history angle—Harry’s is housed in a landmark building designed by Henry Ives Cobb, and there’s an Al Capone connection (Capone’s enforcer Frank Nitti used to live on the fourth floor). The dining room features tile floors, mahogany paneling and white linen-topped tables with a bevy of framed photos, jerseys and other collectibles in lieu of traditional artwork, and the barroom is fitted with a plethora of TVs if you need to sneak a peak during negotiations. The menu includes steaks and chops, plus Italian favorites like chicken Vesuvio, veal Marsala, linguine with clams and spinach pappardelle with Italian sausage. 33 W. Kinzie St., 312-828-0966.
BLUPRINT
This stylish American restaurant, which opened in July, has the distinction of being the only full-service restaurant in the massive Merchandise Mart building in River North. The eatery’s décor reflects the Mart’s design and architecture focus; look for warm woods set against cool stone and glass with ample lighting courtesy of backlit panels. The space offers multiple seating options; an angular bar for post-work libations, booth tables for a lunchtime meeting and communal tables for a group brainstorming session. The lunch lineup includes an Asian salmon salad, steak frites with red wine jus and a Kobe-style burger with bloody mary ketchup. Boneless leg of lamb with black pepper jus and Alaskan halibut with lemon mascarpone are a few of the dinner selections. 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, 312-410-9800.
ROSEBUD PRIME
This gorgeous wood and leather filled eatery, which is the newest addition to the Rosebud Restaurants group, is perfect for a high noon luncheon or working dinner in the Loop. The main dining room offers plush red semi-circular booths and chairs, and there’s a showy staircase leading to more secluded second floor dining room. The menu favors steaks and chops like the signature bone-in filet mignon and broiled double-cut lamb chops, plus choices like the award-winning prime beef burger and buttermilk-fried chicken. The lunch menu includes smaller portions of dinner favorites, plus lighter offerings like a citrus grilled salmon salad and a Maine lobster club. 1 S. Dearborn St., 312-384-1900.
TAVERN AT THE PARK
This masculine two-story spot, which opened mid-summer, features loads of leather, flagstone and mahogany, plus oversized windows overlooking the Millennium Monument (Peristyle) in Wrigley Square at Millennium Park. The American menu offers comfort foods like chicken pot pie, plus entrees like rotisserie-roasted prime rib and braised beef short ribs. Lighter fare includes a chopped steak cheeseburger and an Asian shrimp salad. 130 E. Randolph St., 312-552-0070.
Gene & Georgetti
500 North Franklin Street, Chicago, IL 60610
Chicago's oldest steakhouse dating back to 1941, this is a classic, Italian-style steakhouse.
Bluprint
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 135, Chicago, IL 60654
Set at the Merchandise Mart, Bluprint offers a modern American menu and an interesting beverage program--meaning, great cocktails!
Harry Caray's
33 W. Kinzie St., Chicago, IL 60610
This Italian steakhouse is named for Chicago's beloved baseball announcer, Harry Caray.
Rosebud Prime
1 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60603
Another restaurant is born into the grand Rosebud family at this One South Dearborn location.
Tavern at the Park
130 E. Randolph St., Chicago, IL 60601
Trying to give off that neighborhood tavern feel, while serving up fine dining dishes right across from Millennium Park.
Sepia
123 N. Jefferson Street, Chicago, IL 60661
With Art Nouveau flooring and a rustic yet stylish atmosphere, Sepia offers an intense wine selection, chic cocktails, and delicately made entrees.
Table 52
52 W. Elm St., Chicago, IL 60611
Crust
2056-58 W. Division St., Chicago, IL 60622
Certified organic, the entire concept that is Crust boils down to super-fresh organic ingredients, whether on the flatbread-made pizzas or in the (literally) garden-fresh salads.
