Yoshi's Cafe - Chicago, IL

Okay now... here is the sleeper of the trip. This Cafe is amazing! Great, creative food, a very professional staff that is well educated about the food and in the details of service. Yoshi's wife runs the front of the house and he's in the back cooking. They really care about your experience, and if you come back after a show for a night cap - they remember you.

One of our notable entrees was the Oven Baked Kuro-Buta loin (Japanese Black Pork) - amazing in all respects.

http://www.yoshiscafe.com/

If you are in the area, you must go! One of our top 10 restaurant experiences this year!

Frontera Grill - Chicago, IL

Great food, a little noisy and a reception desk that will tell you about a two hour walk in wait that may be only 45 minutes. Get a seat at the bar - if you can, and order the Guacamole. This noted restaurant has great food - I know I said that, but it may be a little over rated. I didn't find anything put before me that wasn't available at other outstanding Mexican restaurants.

http://www.rickbayless.com/restaurants/grill.html

Don't take it so seriously and go an enjoy if you can.

Bin 36 - Chicago , IL

The Sota foodie had a great meal experience at Bin36 on a recent trip. The wine offerings were top notch as well as the cheese offerings. We had an expanded cheese flight and two wine flights - the wines were pared well with the cheese and the cards that came identifying the items on the table were very informative.

Service was top notch and well educated about the product. After all the wine and cheese,w e split the Apple Braised Berkshire Pork Osso Bucco and it was outstanding - great flavor!

http://bin36.com/

Go - you'll enjoy it and maybe find a new wine at a good price... as we did!