http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20759
- Chicago Magazine (a mostly medium-to-upscale monthly)
- Chicago Reader (a free edgier Friday weekly)
- Metromix
- Chowhound’s Chicago Board (individual reviews and comments, but generally on target)
- WTTW Public TV’s Check Please (see restaurant list)

You can eat well and with a lot of ethnic variety in Chicago. There are too many good restaurants of all kinds and nationalities to name here. If it were up to me, I’d buy a copy of Chicago Magazine, check out Chowhound (which, by the way covers other areas in the US) and check out WTTW’s Check Please site if I was interested in eating well and interestingly (and I am).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20759 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20755
Capital Grille and Chicago Chop House really have to be experienced! Try the dry aged beef...]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20755 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20720 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20720 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20716 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20716 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19483 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19483 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19480 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19480 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19474
The New American food at Seasons is delicious and you can easily lose a week at the extraordinary spa and pool. Every bit as impressive as its New York sibling, the Chicago Seasons happens to be cheaper, too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19474 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19473
A tip: for the ultimate, sublime experience, get a reservation at the kitchen table. Also formal but utterly magical is TRU in Streeterville. A rather unique combination of gallery and eatery, this hip establishment houses two of Chicago’s most eminent chefs (Rick Tramanto and Gale Gand), sommelier Scott Tyree’s 1,400-bottle wine selection and an original Andy Warhol. From the moment you enter through the deliciously decadent black drapes, you’ll be stunned. Try the caviar, kobe beef and truffle-garnished scallops for a lasting memory. And don’t forget to wear a (louche) jacket.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19473 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19472 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17627 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17627 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17399 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17399 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17075 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17075 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11563
Definitely go for the barbeque dishes. One order is enough to feed two or more people. They will promptly bring out a smoldering charcoal pot and grill, then bring you at least 20 little bowls of spicy vegetable side dishes, and a big plate of marinated meat, which you now have to cook on the provided grill. Between sampling all the bowls, and keeping track of what's cooking, you'll have plenty to keep you busy. Dining should always be this fun.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11563 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11562 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11562 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11303
All the food is fresh and made from scratch. A Wishbone breakfast will take you well into late afternoon. Try the corn pancakes with sweet red pepper sauce, shrimp and grits, red eggs, or the crab cakes or vegan black bean cakes. For dinner, try the hoppin' John (also available as a side dish) or jambalaya. People come here for the side dishes alone - mashed sweet potatoes, mac and cheese, sauteed spinach, spectacular home fries, and cheese grits.

Both restaurants are bright and airy, with some unusual and delightful folk art on the walls. Friendly servers and a good attitude.

This is real down-home American food - fresh and delicious!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11303 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9432 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9432 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3964
Set in the Hyde Park neighbourhood, which is home to the gothic campus of the University of Chicago, this eclectic eatery fits into an area that boasts a wide variety of residents. Enjoy an afternoon walking the quads on campus and then mosey along to Dixie Kitchen for fried green tomatoes, gumbo and some delicious peach cobbler, you will be glad you did.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3964