Where to Dine - Chicago 2005 - page 113

on familiar favorites, including a pork chop with sage-bread pudding; free-range
chicken fricassee with herb dumplings, and a different “blue plate special” every
night (at $14, it's an excellent deal for the neighborhood). The restaurant pro-
vides not only kids' menus but also games to keep the little ones occupied. Best
of all, half the proceeds of all children's meals go to the Chicago Coalition for
the Homeless.
In the Hotel Monaco, 225 N. Wabash Ave. (at Wacker Dr.). & 888/306-3507. www.swk.citysearch.com.
Reservations accepted. Main courses $8-$17 lunch, $14-$22 dinner. AE, DC, MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-
2:30pm and 5-9pm; Sat-Sun 5-9pm. Subway: Red Line to State/Lake.
312 Chicago ITALIAN/AMERICAN The in-house restaurant of the
flashy Hotel Allegro, 312 Chicago has proved itself by relying on the Italian-
inspired specialties of chef Dean Zanella. The restaurant has a clubby Jazz Age
feel, with mahogany, antiques, and an earthy coloring. Because this is a hotel
restaurant, the hours are more extensive than those of other dining spots in the
area (including breakfast and lunch every day of the week) and the crowd is as
eclectic as the guests who patronize the Allegro. 312 Chicago isn't the sort of
place that sends food critics into a frenzy, but it serves consistently dependable
meals at prices that are quite reasonable for downtown.
The seared day-boat scallops appetizer with wild mushrooms and truffle oil is
a signature dish. The entree list is filled with familiar pasta and meat favorites,
but most dishes have subtly creative touches (ravioli filled with shrimp, or grilled
lamb chops served with a goat-cheese-and-spinach pie and artichoke sauce);
there are always at least a couple seafood dishes. Zanella draws on his family her-
itage for dishes such as Grandma Anna's veal meatballs, topped with tomato
sauce and ricotta. On weekends, the restaurant has simple brunch offerings dis-
tinguished by home-baked breads.
136 N. LaSalle St. (at Randolph St.). & 312/696-2420. www.312chicago.citysearch.com. Reservations rec-
ommended. Main courses $13-$23. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 7-10am, 11am-3pm, and 5-10pm; Fri
7-10am, 11am-3pm, and 5-11pm; Sat 7am-noon and 5-11pm; Sun 8am-3pm and 5-10pm. Subway/El: Red
Line to Washington/State.
Trattoria No. 10 NORTHERN ITALIAN Elegant but not pretentious, Trat-
toria No. 10 is a favorite with Chicagoans who work in the Loop. A professional
restaurant designer once told me he considers this one of the best-looking
restaurants in the city: the burnt-orange tones, ceramic floor tiles, and gracefully
arched ceilings set a dining-in-Italy mood. The house specialty is ravioli, which
can be ordered as an appetizer or as a main course (recent fillings included but-
ternut and acorn squash, topped with walnut sauce, and homemade Italian
sausage and mozzarella, served with spicy Arrabbiatta sauce). If you're not in the
mood for ravioli, there are plenty of other worthwhile pasta dishes to choose
from, such as farfalle with duck confit, asparagus, caramelized onions, and pine
nuts, or the linguine with roasted eggplant, grilled tomatoes, and smoked moz-
zarella; there's also a daily risotto special. While Trattoria No. 10 serves beef, veal,
and a decent variety of seafood dishes, the restaurant's strength is clearly pasta.
For a lighter (and cheaper) meal, stop by after work for the all-you-can-eat buf-
fet at the bar; $12 (with a $6 drink minimum) gets you tastes of beef tenderloin,
shrimp, and various pasta specials.
10 N. Dearborn St. (between Madison and Washington sts.). & 312/984-1718. Reservations recommended.
Main courses $14-$27. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11:30am-2pm and 5:30-9pm; Fri 11:30am-2pm and
5:30-10pm; Sat 5:30-10pm. Subway/El: Red or Blue line to Dearborn.