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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Buttercup" data-source="post: 476368" data-attributes="member: 990">Well, as always happens when we go to Chicago, we don't stick to our plans.  We never made it to Hyde Park, instead spending spending most of our time in the Art Institute.  Well, that and shopping. We had a good time nonetheless, and since kobald asked me to post some restaurant reviews, I'll do that.Fogo de Chao We went for lunch when we arrived on Thursday, and I think that was a good choice, since it was less expensive that way.  Note that I didn't say "not expensive".  The lunch price was $25 bucks a person, but worth it, I think.  If you go, make sure you're famished, so you will be able to get your money's worth.  The service is excellent, and the food...well, it was unbelieveable.Now for the details.  Their salad bar is incredible.  It includes everything you can imagine, and lots of stuff you can't.  All of it was fresh and succulent.  You could easily make a gourmet meal from the salad alone, but then you would be missing the meat.  This is carnivore's heaven, no doubt about it.  I didn't even try all the different sorts of meat, but of those I did, everything was tender, juicy and perfectly cooked.  I had two favorites, the 'house specialty' which was some cut of very tender and flavorful beef, and the garlic beef chunks.  Awesome, both of them.  My husband really dug the roast pork loin.  They bring you little plates of side dishes, which I think vary from time to time.  We got polenta, mashed potatoes with scallions & cheese, and fried bananas.  They were all wonderful.  I would definately recommend this place, unless you don't like meat, in which case, don't bother.Emilio's Tappas  This place was good, but it's one of those places you need to go with a large group, so you can taste more things.  The service was good, and the decor is nice, too. I'm not a huge fan of Spanish wines, but the glass I had was pleasant enough.  We tried about 4 different tappas, (appetizers, for the uninitiated) and enjoyed all of them.  My favorite was the sliced vennison & grilled tomatoes on herb-garlic bread.  Emilio's is a good choice if you have a bunch of people who want to sit around talking and nibbling.  It's not the best choice for a light, romantic dinner for two.Russian Teatime We tried this one for lunch in between visits to the Art Institute, since it is more or less across the street.  The ambiance is sort of faded, shabby grandeur, and really sort of charming. The service was prompt and friendly.  I've never eaten Russian food, and I guess I know now why they drink so much vodka--it's so they won't notice the boring food.  Not that it was bad, exactly.  Just bland, and a tad austere.  Lots of cabbage.  I'm glad I tried it, since I was curious, but I won't bother again.  Chicago has too many really wonderful restaurants to try in a lifetime, so why waste money and time on this one?  Erawan Royal Thai I don't think I have the skill to describe how truly wonderful this place is.  My hubby & I are big fans of Thai food, and we've eaten at probably 50 different Thai restaurants across the US.  Never have I had such a wonderful Thai meal.  Never.  They had lots of interesting choices on the menu, and we couldn't decide, so we did something really wacky (and pricey!) and got their Royal Degustation.  This means that they bring you tiny helpings of all sorts of stuff, and pair each with a wine that they select.  Seven, yes, seven appetisers!  Each one was no more than a bite or two, and served with a few ounces of wine.  Then the entree, which one selects from their menu, and is also accompanied by wine.  (I chose lobster in turmeric sauce, hubby chose beef & baby bok choy.)  Then a plate with tiny pieces of about a dozen desserts along with, you guessed it, a glass of wine.  Everything is beautiful and perfect.  One appetizer plate was decorated with a tiny swan carved from a radish.  The service couldn't be better in Buckingham Palace. We walked back to our hotel, or rather staggered.  Full and a bit drunk.  If your idea of Thai food is take-out pad thai, and you don't want to spend more than 10 bucks, don't go here.  If, on the other hand, you want the meal of a lifetime, and you don't mind dropping some serious cash, then you simply must go to this place.</blockquote>

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