Well-versed corporate travellers are intimately familiar with the essential components of a prosperous business trip; first-class accommodation, meticulous preparation and fine establishments to enjoy some down-time of an evening.
Chicago restaurants are renowned for their quality on a global scale, with the city having been recently attributed the accolade of "best restaurant city" in America by Bon Appétit magazine. It would seem something of a gastronomic crime not to enjoy the abundance of culinary options on offer in the windy city. Read on to discover some of our tried and tested favourites – sure to impress you, as well as any number of guests.
Tzuco
Carlos Gaytán. Does the name ring a bell? If you hold even the slightest interest in Mexican cuisine, your answer will have unequivocally been a yes. The first Mexican chef to ever run a Michelin Star restaurant, his penchant for daring flavours, innovative concoctions and divine presentation is widely known.
The unique menu at Tzuco combines the best of both Mexican and French cuisine, harnessing the techniques of both cultures to create something truly special. The beautiful food on offer is matched by the gorgeous restaurant decor, with stylish wooden furnishings and ornaments lining the walls, and atmospheric lighting serving to further enhance the dining experience.
Perfect for a flavour of authentic Mexican cuisine with a zest of modernity, this Chicago restaurant is an ideal option for a post-meeting gathering or a relaxing night out alike – either way, it’s a must-visit.
Monteverde
It’s always worth making a note of the best Italian restaurant in any city. Modest prices, immaculate design and sumptuous cuisine are the buzzwords for this fine Chicago restaurant, perfect for a night out with a little less business focus.
Star chef Sarah Grueneberg draws from her culinary experiences around the world to offer a cultured contemporary take on the traditional Italian experience. Few eateries have mastered the balance of food and ambiance quite like Monteverde, with an extensive food menu and wine list
enjoyed by a perpetually full-to-capacity restaurant. Service is excellent despite the hordes of diners, and the restaurant itself is sleek and modern in design.
Visiting the top Italian restaurant in the city is likely a high priority for first time visitors in the windy city, and a night at Monteverde will provide exactly that – a great choice for a corporate trip.
Cabra
Who doesn’t enjoy dinner with a view? Cabra (or ‘Goat’) is situated on the roof of the Hoxton Hotel, offering mouth-watering Peruvian cuisine as well as a picturesque panoramic view of the surrounding area.
Chef Stephanie Izard offers a comprehensive summary of our experience in Cabra - “I’m excited about a menu that celebrates Peruvian flavours. Hopefully when people visit Cabra, between the playful menu and fun rooftop atmosphere, they’ll feel like they’ve been transported to their own mini getaway!” A perfect place to unwind after a long day’s business, this Chicago restaurant offers smaller dishes exuding character and flavour, as well as an extensive drinks menu to supplement the staggering dining experience.
In terms of interior, the furnishings reflect the chic, vibrant atmosphere, and the service is also second to none – a quality option if fine-dining with a view sounds up your street.
Acadia
The two Michelin Star quality cuisine on offer at Acadia is not to be missed on a trip to Chicago’s South Loop. If impressing an important partner or client is on the agenda, there are few more tasteful dining establishments than Acadia, with diners whisked away to a culinary paradise by the masterful Ryan McCaskey.
Although temporarily closed, the Chicago restaurant suggests that it will be once again accepting bookings “once regulations ease, and once we feel it’s safer to do so”, and we certainly have our fingers crossed that it’s sooner rather than later.
The menu is fresh and exciting, incorporating flavours from all around the world. Every bite unravels its own delicious story, and the meticulous attention to detail in the kitchen is apparent with every dish of the standard seven-course meal.
The restaurant design is smart and modern, creating the ideal setting for a successful business dinner spent impressing your guests – we couldn’t recommend Acadia more.
Rose Mary
Newly opened and simply unmissable with Croatian cuisine at its absolute peak, Rose Mary is a Chicago restaurant that epitomises boundary-breaking modern dining, offering an evening experience to die for.
Head chef Joe Flamm describes the menu as “Adriatic drinking food”, with an extensive food and drinks menu centred on his Italian heritage and boasting the incorporation of bold Croatian flavour. Guests are left astonished by the first-class service and the abundance of quality cuisine on offer, with Rose Mary tipped to be on the receiving end of a Michelin star in the near future.
Orchestrated by award-winning Los Angeles-based firm Studio UNLTD, the Chicago restaurant’s interior is a replication of a ‘Konoba’, or traditional family-run Croatian tavern; completing the unique and serene dining experience.
Boka
Boasting locally sourced ingredients, Michelin star dishes and delightful hospitality, it comes as little surprise that Boka is a favourite amongst Chicago locals and visitors alike.
Executive chef Lee Wolen boasts some serious culinary credentials, ‘garnering a Michelin star in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020; “3 Stars” and “Chef of the Year” from the Chicago Tribune; and “Chef of the Year” and “Restaurant of the Year” at the Jean Banchet Awards.’ To put it simply, the seasonal American food on offer is up there with some of the greatest of its kind, and the innovative dishes on offer make dining at Boka a unique experience.
Aside from food, Boka takes a lot of pride in ambience, with guests regularly commenting on the upbeat atmosphere that the restaurant projects. This is thanks in no small part to the pristine lighting, delicate interior design and economical use of space on the restaurant floor. An evening at Boka is the perfect way for friends, colleagues and business partners to enjoy an evening away from corporate responsibilities.
That completes our list! Be sure to check out our latest blog detailing six things to do in the windy city; a comprehensive guide for your business trip to Chicago.
