April 2012: Mobile Madness!

Epicurean Delights

At your next tradeshow destination, treat yourself to a meal that delights your palate and defines the art of fine dining. After a long day of walking at the convention center and listening to educational courses, it’s time to sit back and enjoy culinary excellence in New Orleans, Chicago, Vancouver, or San Diego.

Typical price per person, excluding tax/tip:

$$: $30 and under
$$$: $31- $49
$$$$: $50 and over

New Orleans

Pascal’s Manale $$
You can’t visit New Orleans without getting the full Louisiana BBQ shrimp experience. Known for its super-jumbo shrimp, seasoned in a buttery garlic sauce, black pepper, with a Creole kick, it is said that the first recipe for New Orleans style BBQ shrimp originated from Pascal’s Manale. Located in the Uptown District, Pascal’s is also renowned for its oyster bar, where the shucker pops oysters at an astonishing rate. Only local celebrity Thomas knows where to get the tastiest and freshest oysters in town, and he serves them up with a giant slice of Southern hospitality! Although many other restaurants have tried to imitate the menu and family ambiance, nothing comes close. To prepare yourself for the full experience, you’ll need both hands, all your fingers, rolled up sleeves, and a big appetite!

Brennan’s $$$
Brunch at Brennan’s, should you choose to indulge, is an experience like no other. Under stunning chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, bordered by golden-yellow papered walls, locals enjoy Brennan’s originals such as the Crabmeat Omelette topped with hollandaise sauce and the ever-popular Eggs Hussarde. The grand finale — for breakfast and for dinner — is Bananas Foster, a Brennan’s original that has attracted millions of customers from around the world. This legendary dessert is an international favorite and has been the most requested item since 1947. Located in the heart of the French Quarter, Brennan’s sits in between lavish antique stores and dainty balconies that add to the unique Southern experience.

Antoine’s $$$$
Antoine’s needs no introduction. Dining at Antoine’s brings you back to the French influences that inspired much of the New Orleans lifestyle in the 19th century. Housed in a historic two-story building in the heart of the French Quarter, each of the 14 rooms is filled with decades’ worth of photos of celebrities and testimonials from dignitaries about their favorite dishes. Antoine’s has played host to such illustrious guests as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, not to mention Judy Garland and Pope John Paul II. All have enjoyed original creations such as the Baked Alaska, Oysters Rockefeller and Poulet Rochambeau, a boneless half-chicken served with a sweet brown Rochambeau and tangy Béarnaise sauce. Visit Antoine’s and see why this fabled restaurant was President Roosevelt’s favorite place to dine!

Chicago

Henri $$$
Fine dining without pretension is the permanent style du jour of Henri, a French-American restaurant that offers a veritable sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of Chicago life. Named after famed American architect Louis Henri Sullivan, a man whose work helped shift urban American landscapes at the turn of the 20th century, the menu at Henri is designed to build on American gastronomy’s strong foundations. In keeping with the spirit of Sullivan’s architecture, innovative dishes like Lobster Wellington complement traditional favorites like Steak Tartare and Roast Chicken. Henri is centrally located between Monroe and Madison — only minutes from McCormick Place and walking distance to the city’s major cultural attractions.

Le Colonial $$$
Entering Le Colonial for the first time, you are transported to the enchantment and splendor of Southeast Asia. The restaurant’s beautiful interior strikes a harmonious balance between 1920s elegance and contemporary simplicity. Widely considered one of Chicago’s finest upscale French-Vietnamese restaurants, this charming two-story vintage row house is situated in the heart of the Gold Coast. The second floor is a cocktail lounge overlooking Rush Street, while the main floor serves authentic Vietnamese dishes such as the Ca Chien Saigon, a Vietnamese crisp-seared whole red snapper with a light, spicy and sour sauce; and Ca Hap, or steamed fillet of Chilean sea bass with cellophane noodles, oyster mushrooms, tomatoes, scallions, and fried ginger in a light ginger broth. Don’t be the only one to miss out on the experience of a lifetime. Be sure to see for yourself how Le Colonial has brought back a taste of fine Vietnamese cuisine to Chicago.

The Chicago Firehouse $$$
The Chicago Firehouse restaurant is a captivating turn-of-the-century building that was once, in fact, home to the Chicago Fire Department. Located on Michigan Avenue, the restaurant has retained its charm with high tin ceilings, fire-glazed walls and brass poles. Originally opened in 2000, the restaurant has since evolved and now features an “American Classic” menu. Locals come to enjoy favorites such as the Roasted Pork Tenderloin with creamy polenta and cherry sauce and the Braised Lamb Shoulder with roasted potatoes, peas and carrots. Visit to sample the food and stay for the warm family style of service in an atmosphere that retains the charm of the old firehouse in which the restaurant was built.

Vancouver

CinCin $$$
Contemporary Italian cuisine and a comprehensive selection of elegant wines attract hungry locals and visitors from around the world to one of Vancouver’s finest restaurants, CinCin Ristorante. Located at the top of a winding stone staircase that rises from the ever-stirring Robson Street sits a celebrated and award-winning Italian restaurant as famous for its welcoming ambiance as it is for its fresh seafood, wood-fired pizzas and world-class wine list. Seasonal ingredients go into crafting traditional dishes that capture the essence of Italian cuisine within a quintessentially Italian setting that includes fresh flowers, a marble bar, and an antique Roman statue. Come for lunch, dinner or a glass of wine and experience why Westender named CinCin the city’s “Best Italian Restaurant” and why Vancouver Playhouse International awarded the restaurant its “Best Wine List” gold medal.

Gotham Steakhouse $$$$
Relaxing in a leather chair, enjoying a well-crafted martini, one could be forgiven for forgetting the stresses and worries of the outside world. Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail Bar is nestled amidst Vancouver’s most energetic locales, fashionable hotels, and quaint boutiques, and makes for an elegant sanctuary from the fast-paced world of this modern city. This American-style steakhouse features the best prime Alberta beef — dry-aged for 28 days and meticulously seasoned to accentuate the most mouthwatering flavors of every steak. The cocktail bar also features a vast wine list that complements any entrée. Escape to Gotham Steakhouse & Cocktail bar for a relaxing night out!

Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House $$$
Surrounded by glammed-up Robson Street shoppers and maybe even a few visiting rock stars, you’ll feel like a celebrity when you walk into Joe Fortes Seafood and Chop House. The grand dining room is anchored by a soaring horseshoe oyster bar and surrounded by cozy booths and live music. The Joe Fortes kitchen prepares each entrée with a focus on distinct natural flavors, using only handpicked ingredients from Pacific Northwest farmers, fishermen and food artisans. The restaurant’s signature cedar-planked salmon, crab legs and steaks will fulfill the cravings of any hungry diner. Located in downtown Vancouver, it takes a restaurant like Joe Fortes to lure visitors away from the vibrant beauty of one of the world’s most unique and exciting cities.

San Diego

Searsucker $$
If you’re looking for a place to get away, then this probably isn’t for you. With no walls or barriers, Searsucker is a place to get together, uniting friends and family to enjoy creative twists on classic favorites, such as the Loin Filet Mignon with lobster butter and the “Carb Free” Crab Cake. Top Chef finalist Brian Malarkey has a strong affinity for seafood and is notorious for adding a vibrant flair to traditional seafood favorites. Located just minutes from the convention center, Searsucker sits right in the heart of the action!

Lou & Mickey’s $$$
San Diego’s famous Gaslamp Quarter is filled with exciting restaurants and bars, but if you’re forced to choose one, you can’t go wrong with Lou & Mickey’s. Famed for its fresh seafood, prime beef, and award-winning wine selection, Lou & Mickey’s traces its rich fine dining history back to the 1930s. Their classic entrées are matched only by their mouthwatering appetizers, which many patrons choose to savor while enjoying an array of exotic concoctions in the cocktail lounge. Also known for its Midwestern hospitality, Lou & Mickey’s earned the Gaslamp Association’s 2007 “Lamplighter Awards” for “Best Service in a Restaurant” and “Best Wine List.” After dinner, take advantage of the location and take a stroll around the exuberant Gaslamp Quarter!

Hash House A Go Go $$
Three Words: Twisted Farm Food. Hash House makes food more fun as it combines unique flavors from farm fresh agriculture and turns old recipes into modern masterpieces by adding a fresh, usually gut-busting twist! While it’s true that a plate at Hash House could easily feed a family of three, you’ll definitely want your own! Featured on Travel Channel, Food Network, and Man vs. Food, Hash House is considered the hottest brunch spot in town by many locals. Breakfast aficionados travel from all over the world to try the infamous Andy’s Sage Fried Chicken with fresh spinach, hardwood smoked bacon, market tomato, griddled mozzarella, chipotle cream and scrambled eggs — a breakfast legend! (Hash House is a quick cab ride from downtown and the convention center. Expect a wait on weekends.)

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