I'll be in Chicago next week for a conference and while some of my
nights are committed (free food and entertainment, to include Bill
Cosby!) it looks like I'll be on my own Saturday night.

I was thinking of Frontera Grill or Topo (both Rick Bayless places)
before going to a show I've been wanting to see for years, and wondered
if anyone here has been to either restaurant before?

How do you feel about eating at the bar if waiting for tables is slow?
Can I expect a good level of service and comfort still? Does the
bartender care? Does he take the order or does a wait person handle that?

TIA
Goomba

"Goomba38" > wrote in message
...
> I'll be in Chicago next week for a conference and while some of my nights
> are committed (free food and entertainment, to include Bill Cosby!) it
> looks like I'll be on my own Saturday night.
>
> I was thinking of Frontera Grill or Topo (both Rick Bayless places) before
> going to a show I've been wanting to see for years, and wondered if anyone
> here has been to either restaurant before?
>
> How do you feel about eating at the bar if waiting for tables is slow? Can
> I expect a good level of service and comfort still? Does the bartender
> care? Does he take the order or does a wait person handle that?

Two words. Lou. Malnati's.

You're welcome, Goomb :-)

TammyM

"sf" <.> wrote

> On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:50:40 -0400, Goomba38 >
> wrote:
>
>>How do you feel about eating at the bar if waiting for tables is slow?
>
> I love eating at the bar. In fact, I prefer it (great experiences
> every time), but I usually have hubby in tow and he's not a big lover
> of that style.

With few exceptions, I always eat at the bar. You can set your own
pace, there isn't a waiter asking, are you ready to order? Not yet? every
two minutes. Just order a drink (even non-alcoholic) and order when
you're ready. If you're in a hurry, it's easier to convey that, too.

I much prefer the experience, for the most part. Suits me. But I don't
know about the places you're talking about, if you were asking about
their bar specifically.

nancy

Nancy Young wrote:
> "sf" <.> wrote
>
>> On Tue, 29 Apr 2008 22:50:40 -0400, Goomba38 >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> How do you feel about eating at the bar if waiting for tables is
>>> slow?
>>
>> I love eating at the bar. In fact, I prefer it (great experiences
>> every time), but I usually have hubby in tow and he's not a big lover
>> of that style.
>
> With few exceptions, I always eat at the bar. You can set your own
> pace, there isn't a waiter asking, are you ready to order? Not yet?
> every two minutes. Just order a drink (even non-alcoholic) and order
> when you're ready. If you're in a hurry, it's easier to convey that,
> too.
>
> I much prefer the experience, for the most part. Suits me. But I
> don't know about the places you're talking about, if you were asking
> about their bar specifically.
>
> nancy
>
I've always gotten faster and better service seated at the bar. Half the
time spent waiting for a table. Personal service and, as you say, no one
hovering trying to turn the table. The bartender isn't going anywhere.
Servers have to turn tables quickly to make a buck.

The only downside might be the bar is (usually) the smoking area. I've no
idea what the law is regarding smoking in Chicago restaurants, though.
Haven't been to Chicago since 1999.

Jill

On Apr 29, 7:50*pm, Goomba38 > wrote:
> I'll be in Chicago next week for a conference and while some of my
> nights are committed (free food and entertainment, to include Bill
> Cosby!) it looks like I'll be on my own Saturday night.
>
> I was thinking of Frontera Grill or Topo (both Rick Bayless places)
> before going to a show I've been wanting to see for years, and wondered
> if anyone here has been to either restaurant before?
>
> How do you feel about eating at the bar if waiting for tables is slow?
> Can I expect a good level of service and comfort still? Does the
> bartender care? Does he take the order or does a wait person handle that?
>
Our limited experience is that eating at the bar of a place that is
busy because it's good is likely to be a good deal. We've done it at
Chinois on Main, one of Wolfgang Puck's first restaurants, where the
bar looks directly on the kitchen. Service was great, food was great,
atmosphere was entertaining. We preferred the bar to sitting at a
table. -aem

"Goomba38" > wrote in message
...
> I'll be in Chicago next week for a conference and while some of my nights
> are committed (free food and entertainment, to include Bill Cosby!) it
> looks like I'll be on my own Saturday night.
>
> I was thinking of Frontera Grill or Topo (both Rick Bayless places) before
> going to a show I've been wanting to see for years, and wondered if anyone
> here has been to either restaurant before?
>
> How do you feel about eating at the bar if waiting for tables is slow? Can
> I expect a good level of service and comfort still? Does the bartender
> care? Does he take the order or does a wait person handle that?
>
> TIA
> Goomba

I used to travel quite a bit. I HATE eating alone! My choices are;

1. Room service if available
2. Bring something back to the room.
3. Eat at the bar.
4. Eat alone at at table.

Dimitri