Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
131
au vin, pork tenderloin ratatouille, rack of lamb), along with tar tes, the Alsatians' version
of thin-crust pizza. O ne house specialty that 's worth a tr y is the “ famous shrimp bag, ” a
phyllo pastry filled with shrimp , mushrooms, and herb rice garnished with lobster sauce.
Save room for dessert: The delightfully caramel-banana coupe is ser ved in a tall glass, and
might be the per fect sundae. O r try the rich chocolate mousse, which is ser ved tableside
from a massive silver bowl, then topped with fr esh cream and shaved chocolate—just like
in Paris.
59 W. Hubbard St. (btw. Dearborn and Clark sts .).
&
312/595-0800.
www.brasseriejo.com. Kids' menu,
highchairs, boost ers. Reser vations r ecommended. M ain c ourses $18-$30; k ids' menu $7-$9. AE, DC,
DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 5-10pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm; Sun 4-9pm. Sub way/El: Red Line t o Grand, or Brown
Line to Merchandise Mart.
Harry Caray's
AMERICAN/ITALIAN A shrine to the legendary Cubs play-by-
play announcer, this landmar k building near the Chicago Riv er is a r epository for the
staggering collection of baseball memorabilia that H arry amassed, and it co vers almost
every square inch of the place. Even the bar is a nod to baseball: At 60 feet, 6 inches long,
it's the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate.
But you don't have to be a baseball lover to appreciate Harry's. The dining rooms have
an old-Chicago feel that is comfortable and familiar, with high tin ceilings, exposed brick
walls, and red-checked tablecloths. It would be easy to lump Harry's with other celebrity
restaurants, but as one r eviewer pointed out, the food is better than it has to be. The
portions are enormous; unless y ou want lefto vers for days, plan to shar e. Main courses
run from traditional items such as pastas with r ed sauce to chicken Vesuvio, veal, and a
variety of seafood choices. H arry's is also a good place to or der big plates of meat: dr y-
aged steaks, lamb, veal, and pork chops. And from the list of side dishes, be sure to order
the signature Vesuvio potatoes.
33 W. Kinzie St. (at Dearborn St.).
&
312/828-0966.
www.harrycarays.com. Kids' menu, highchairs. Main
courses $15-$40; k ids' menu ar ound $7. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. M on-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm; M on-Thurs
5-10:30pm; Fri-Sat 5-11pm; Sun 11:30am-4pm (lunch bar only) and 4-10pm. Subway/El: Brown Line to
Merchandise Mart, or Red Line to Grand.
MODERATE
Buca di Beppo
ITALIAN Always fantasized about being par t of a wacky , extended
Italian family? You'll feel y ou've found y our home at this I talian-American r estaurant
(part of a national chain), which serves humongous family-style dishes. The restaurant is
a loud, high-energy place with large gr oups of diners; its decor is eclectic, co vered with
garage-sale-type mementos gather ed b y the o wners in I taly. You'll find plenty of
Romanesque statues, red checkered tablecloths, and photos of famous and infamous Ital-
ians. Portions are huge—one order of chicken cacciatore serves up to five people; pizzas
are measured in feet, not inches; and meatballs weigh a half-pound each. Even the smaller
portions of pasta serve up to three people.
521 N. Rush St.
&
312/396-0001.
Highchairs, boosters. Reser vations not ac cepted, but y ou can call
ahead to put your name on the list. Main courses $16-$25. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm;
Fri-Sat 11am-11pm; Sun 11am-9pm. Subway/El: Brown Line to Wellington. Bus: 8.
5
Carson's
AMERICAN/BARBECUE A tr ue Chicago institution, Carson 's calls
itself “The Place for Ribs,” and, boy, is it ever. The barbecue sauce is sweet and tangy, and
the ribs are meaty. Included in the $20 price for a full slab of ribs ar e coleslaw and one
of four types of potatoes (the most decadent ar e au gratin), plus right-out-of-the-o ven
rolls.
