Chicago is a great spot for dining out.
Chicago's Ford Oriental Theater is located at 24 W. Randolph Street. There are several restaurants within walking and quick driving distance of the theater. Most cater to before or after theater crowds so tend to be somewhat upscale. They all recommend recommendations, especially if you're planning to dine before popular shows.
Bin 36
Despite its odd name, this is a fancy choice for before dinner. It has a brightly lit, cheery dining room with white furniture and bright red lamps. The cuisine is contemporary American, with dishes like NY Strip steak, black pepper crusted swordfish and a pork porterhouse. For lunch, the restaurant offers sandwiches like the lobster club (lobster salad and applewood smoked bacon on toasted homemade brioche). The cheese tasting, with more than 50 choices, is also favorite. The restaurant prides itself on its wine, and will guide you through the extensive wine list to help you create the best pairing.
Bin 36
339 North Dearborn
Chicago IL 60610
312-755-9463
bin36.com
Catch 35
This restaurant is your nearest bet for seafood. The dining room is elegant, with blond wood paneling. The Chicago Sun-Times calls this place "one of the classiest and most innovative seafood restaurants around." The menu includes items like Chilean sea bass, spicy Szechuan scallops and a chef's cut New York strip. Every Tuesday night the restaurant offers live jazz --perfect for after a show. Catch 35 offers a three course dinner with a choice of one of six entrees, soup or salad, and any house dessert for $29.95.
Catch 35
35 W. Wacker Drive
Chicago IL 60601
312-346-3500
catch35.com
Vivere
The chef at this upscale restaurant travels each year around different regions of Italy to collect recipes. The result is a combination of southern food--think tagliatelle with fried eggplant, tomato and garlic and basil sauce--with northern food--think thick polenta with mushrooms and cheese or risotto with seafood. The dining room has sweeping booths and combinations of light wood with beige. Dress is business casual.
Vivere
71 W. Monroe Street
Chicago IL 60603
312-332-7005
viverechicago.com
Tags: dining room, restaurant offers, seafood dining, seafood dining room