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Dining: Off the Street

Looking for a place to eat? Look up. In Chicago, many of the city’s best restaurants are tucked inside skyscrapers or set in vertical shopping centers

Latest entry? Fred’s (15 E. Oak St.), on the sixth floor of the new Barney’s New York. (What a makeover!) My friend Jennifer and I had lunch at Fred’s the other day. I loved the place: it’s noisy and chic, elegant but unfussy. Their chopped salad ($16) is like none I’ve ever had; fluffy red leaf lettuce, shredded chicken, squares of crisp bacon, just the right amount of blue cheese (that is, very little). Too, it was minimally dressed. Don’t worry: they’ll bring more dressing if you ask: Jen did, twice!

Barneys New York Other teasers: handmade pizzas and entrees of pan-seared fish. We’ll try those when the weather cools. The big bowl of salad was perfect for a warm spring day.
The crowd at Fred’s is Oak Street shoppers, ladies who lunch, hip business types in beautiful suits. Reminded me of RL’s midday crowd. (street level, 750 N. Michigan Ave.) Like RL’s, Fred’s staff and servers are confident and straightforward. Not a whiff of haughtiness — like Chicago itself.
I’m writing this post because out-of-town friends and family grumble about Michigan Avenue dining options: at street level, they seem limited. They are! Ground-floor rents are priciest, and up in the sky dining provides views of the city’s architecture, river and lake. Too, Michigan Avenue is stacked: one of Chicago’s most celebrated eating spots is below street level: Billy Goat Tavern (lower level, 430 N. Michigan Ave.)
Here’s my list for off-the-street dining in Chicago

  • Fine dining, spectacular views: Spiaggia (2nd floor, 980 N. Michigan Ave.), Nomi, 7th floor, 800 N. Michigan Ave.), Shanghai Terrace (4th floor, 108 E. Superior St.), Sixteen (16th floor, 401 N. Wabash Ave.), Everest (40th floor, 440 S. LaSalle St.)
  • Great food, easier on the wallet: Spiaggia Cafe (2nd floor, 980 N. Michigan Ave.), Blueprint, (1st floor, 222 Merchandise Mart Plaza), Mercat a la Planxa, (2nd floor, 638 S. Michigan Ave.)
  • Cheaper eats, zero view: Potbelly Sandwich Works (5th floor, 900 N. Michigan Ave. and 4th floor, 55 E. Grand Ave.), Heaven on Seven (7th floor, 111 N. Wabash and 2nd floor, 600 N. Michigan Ave.)
  • One I’d like to try: Roof, at theWit hotel, (27th floor, 201 N. State St.) Small plates from a celebrated chef, outdoor dining, telescopes.

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