Out to lunch
The Chicago Tribune's guide to business lunching in the Chicago area.
May 20, 2013
Volare offers classic Italian food in a setting that's inviting if a little crowded
Out to Lunch
May 13, 2013
Bank on Urban Market for fast, tasty food
Who eats: Men in pinstripe suits — literally — stride through the halls of Urban Market, a cafeteria that puts the cavern in cavernous. It's underneath Chase Tower, home to a chunk of JPMorgan Chase as well as Exelon Corp. Expect to bump trays with bankers and executives.
May 6, 2013
OUT TO LUNCH: Pizzeria Due offers a change of pace to traditional business lunch
Out to lunch: Pizzeria Due
April 29, 2013
Out to Lunch: Atmosphere, food add spice to Frontera
Who eats: Tourists, foodies, a smattering of business folk.
January 9, 2012
Out to lunch: Terzo Piano, 159 E. Monroe St.
Ambience: Clean and minimalistic, but what else would you expect in an art museum? Unadorned windows that run almost from floor to ceiling offer city views on three sides.
5:48 PM PDT, March 23, 2012
Phil Vettel: Out to Lunch: Gioco, 1312 S. Wabash Ave.
Who eats: Loop business types and conventioneers.
January 30, 2012
Oysy decor is fresh, and so is sushi
Who eats: Businesspeople, tourists and River North office workers.
December 26, 2011
Phil Vettel: Out to lunch: Topolobampo, 445 N. Clark St.
Out to lunch: Topolobampo, 445 N. Clark St.Who eats: Businesspeople, out-of-towners and, this time of year, lots of end-of-year revelers.
December 12, 2011
Koda brings French country dining to Beverly
Why eat: The French bistro offers a seasonal menu and a cozy dining room decorated in soothing bronze and gold and lots of light.
January 23, 2012
Phil Stefani's 437 Rush is a congenial place to conduct business
Who eats: Businesspeople and others who make their way to lower-level Rush Street.
October 31, 2011
Bombay Spice Grill & Wine offers escape with nontraditional fare
Why eat: Even meat-and-potatoes folks are unlikely to balk at nicely grilled tandoori chicken wings. The dish may not sound so Indian — neither do chickpea ceviche and baked samosas — but Bombay Spice isn't going for traditional preparations.
December 5, 2011
Lao Hunan builds on Chinatown empire
Ambience: The Chinatown restaurant is small and by no means fancy, with basic wooden tables, simple padded chairs and a tiled floor. What it lacks in comfort, it more than makes up for in funkiness.
October 24, 2011
Miller's Pub a comfortable, authentic, filling experience
Why eat: Miller's Pub, around since 1935, has become a Loop institution, drawing big crowds from the nearby federal buildings and offices.
August 8, 2011
Phil Vettel: Steaks, seafood and a $15 deal all part of Capital Grille's appeal
Who eats: Lots of business types, some carrying folders, a few Yorktown Mall shoppers
December 19, 2011
Mexican fare from ordinary to adventurous at Cafe Laredo
Why eat: This recently opened Near North outpost of the Dallas-based chain draws big crowds at lunchtime by serving up moderately priced, upscale Mexican food.
November 7, 2011
Phil Vettel: Rosewood in Rosemont holds its own against the heavy steakhouse hitters
Who eats: Business types; conventioneers on break from the nearby convention center.
November 28, 2011
River North's Sunda has exotic yet cozy vibe and hearty Asian offerings
Why eat: Off the beaten path of bustling River North, Sunda provides an exotic yet comfortable atmosphere with big portions of tasty Asian fare.
November 21, 2011
Sayat Nova an exotic setting for tasty Eastern Mediterranean food
Why eat: Sayat Nova serves reasonably priced and tasty Armenian -- think Eastern Mediterranean -- food in somewhat exotic surroundings.
October 3, 2011
Native Foods Cafe offers plenty of vegetarian, healthy options
Who eats: This new vegan chain from California is drawing more hipsters than hippies, along with Wicker Park shoppers and a handful of suits at lunchtime.
October 17, 2011
Rhapsody presents rustic Italian in magazine-worthy style
Ambience: Contemporary, white-table elegance, soft whites and polished wood throughout; outdoor patio beyond French doors offers a garden view, and the spaciousness of a hotel dining room. Handsome, dark-wood lounge and bar by front entrance.
September 19, 2011
Phil Vettel: Fixed-price lunch at Blackbird great deal
Who eats: This West Loop dining room pulls in business types, a surprising number of students and the occasional mild-mannered reporter.
September 26, 2011
Ceres Cafe a laid-back experience near CBOT
Who eats: At the top of the Board of Trade is Ceres, the goddess of grain. At the bottom is Ceres, the cafe, where traders mingle with other fans of '70s diner food. Rice pudding, anyone?
September 5, 2011
Jon Yates' "What's Your Problem?": Chicago Cut a hot spot for big steaks, big stars
Who eats: The lunch crowd in this popular River North restaurant is predominantly businesspeople.
September 12, 2011
Mity Nice a place worth finding
Why eat: The location, hidden behind a food court in Water Tower Place, is a less obvious choice than the go-to restaurants on the Mag Mile, which makes it a great spot for confidential business conversation.
August 15, 2011
Fred's at Barneys is not your ordinary department store cafe
Who eats: A mix of creative business types, Gold Coast shoppers and tourists
August 29, 2011
GT Fish & Oyster, a tasty pairing of Pottery Barn and Nautica
Who eats: The River North restaurant caters to businesspeople, couples and hard-core foodies.
August 1, 2011
Sushi Samba Rio offers overseas dining without leaving the city
Who eats: The River North restaurant caters to business people, tourists and couples at lunch.
July 24, 2011
Phil Vettel: Sam & Harry's Steakhouse offers sumptuous surroundings in northwest suburbs
Ambience: White-table elegance with a supercontemporary feel. Glass walls, leather chairs, curved booths, deep leather settees with throw pillows.
August 22, 2011
Bandera, an oasis along Michigan Avenue
Ambiance: A reasonably priced American fare in a casual, comfortable oasis for the cognoscenti.
July 4, 2011
South Water Kitchen's diverse menu means there's something for all
Who eats: Mix of business people, tourists and hotel guests (restaurant is connected to Hotel Monaco), giving South Water Kitchen a democratic feel.
July 11, 2011
Phil Vettel: Naha offers a bright room and possibly the best burger in town
Ambience: White tablecloth elegance. Windows on south, west sides let in lots of light. Clean, uncluttered, contemporary look.
June 20, 2011
Phil Vettel: Benny's Chop House all about the beef
Ambience: Clubby and masculine; cherry-wood paneling, thick carpets, double white tablecloth. Bar/lounge is sunny, less formal, popular with leisure diners and after-5 crowd.
July 18, 2011
Helpful staff awaits in Italian Village's tucked-away cellar
Why eat: The basement setting provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of the Loop and fosters intimate conversation.
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