Thrillist: Scarf down the bacon 'n blue cheese burger stuffed between two hunks of garlic bread, smothered in blue cheese fondue, and chased with a bourbon milkshake (after 10p at the bar on weeknights). Read more.
Time Out Chicago: The garlic bread with blue-cheese fondue, lobster cocktail with garlic and soy, and the goat-cheese cheesecake are all (wait for it) slam dunks. http://tmoutchi.us/10esgeQ Read more.
Chicago Tribune: One thing you can't miss is the garlic bread: a plentiful portion of toasted garlic bread is drizzled with an ultrarich fondue of Wisconsin Ader Kase blue cheese, soaking into the bread's pores. Read more.
5. GT Fish and Oyster
531 N Wells St (at Grand Ave), Chicago, IL
Seafood Restaurant · River North · 195 tips and reviews
Meredith A: Tuna poke was delicious, clam chowder was even better!. They take reservations very late - we ate at 11 pm!
Eater: If it were just fish and chips and chowdah, we'd still be won over; but everything you'd think you're on one of the coasts. [Eater 38 Member]
Time Out Chicago: Try the squid-ink gnocchi in carrot broth from our 100 Best list: Chef Giuseppe Tentori is first and foremost an Italian & where he really shines is with pastas such as this rich yet delicate gnocchi.
6. Portillo's
8.9
100 W Ontario St (at Clark St), Chicago, IL
Hot Dog Joint · River North · 667 tips and reviews
Amy Schneider: Get the hot dog and fries! Onion rings are great also :)
Explore Chicago: Making a Chicago-style hot dog, with all its requisite toppings, is also known as "dragging it through the garden". Read more.
Mohamed AlGowaifly: Double burger with cheese, and chopped salad is highly recommended.
7. House of Blues
8.9
329 N Dearborn St (btwn Kinzie St & Wacker Dr), Chicago, IL
Music Venue · Near North Side · 197 tips and reviews
Douglas Bond: The VooDoo shrimp is delicious. This is an awesome spot.
Explore Chicago: Track down the sound that evolved from the Blues at the House of Blues' Gospel Brunch on Sundays, complimented by a Southern-inspired buffet and blues memorabilia on the walls. Read more.
VH1: Bet you didn’t know - HOB Chicago has mud from the Mississippi Delta buried under the Music Hall stage as a reminder of the blues roots of all the music gracing the stage. – Team Live Nation
10. Nordstrom
8.3
55 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL
Department Store · Near North Side · 95 tips and reviews
Lindsey Moss: All Nordstroms provide excellent shopping experiences from selection of clothes, bags and shoes to the friendliness/helpfulness of their employees but this is one of the best. Happy shopping.
C 8: It's called Nordstrom. No s and no apostrophe s. Learn this and you will go far in life.
Bravo: I love Nordstrom's and the girls at the Rail are the best. -John Somerville, Top Chef
11. Paris Club Bistro & Bar
59 West Hubbard Street (btwn N Clark & N Dearborn St.), Chicago, IL
French Restaurant · Near North Side · 114 tips and reviews
Time Out Chicago: Le Hamburger is actually a cheeseburger, with your choice of Gruyère or blue and port-grilled onions, which add a pleasant hint of sweetness to this perfectly pink patty on a butter-slicked bun. Read more.
AskMen: Expect plenty of champagne, on-tap wine, elegant decor, and a menu of tantalizing yet approachable French cuisine. Read more.
Time Out Chicago: Try the chilled seafood platter from our 100 Best list: Leave it to the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant group to find a way to turn a luxurious platter of fresh lobster, shrimp and more into a steal.
13. Mercadito
8.0
108 W Kinzie St (btwn Clark St & LaSalle Blvd), Chicago, IL
Mexican Restaurant · River North · 249 tips and reviews
CeceMelinda: The duck mole tacos are my favorite!!!! Try them and a mango margarita!
Michael Caputo: Try the Camaron tacos. It's shrimp, roasted garlic, chipotle mayo, avocado and it's amazing! Read more.
Serious Eats: Very loud and sceney, but there is no doubting the soft handmade tortillas.
14. Drumbar
7.9
201 E Delaware Pl (at Mies van der Rohe Way), Chicago, IL
Cocktail Bar · Streeterville · 68 tips and reviews
Dmitriy Sandler: Good music, great cocktails, excellent staff. Patio is very nice but may be difficult to find open table.
Eater: Add this to the list of downtown rooftop spaces with a hip, modern terrace atop the Raffaello Hotel. The menu features a mix of seasonal cocktails along with a focus on bourbon and whiskey.
Rick Lesser: Great rooftop bar. I'm wearing shorts & I'm OK!