...stay away from the "tourist" pizza.

I know some of you were thinking of coming downtown and I promised TIS that I'd recommend a some good Italian restaurants. A couple of these restaurants will also personify the theme of the weekend, but I really can't/won't say which ones or why. However, if you're resourceful, you can figure it out on your own!

The Taylor Street and Grand Avenue neighborhoods have a bunch of really good restaurants. In Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood on Taylor Street, there's Bevi Amo, RosAl's, Cafe Viaggio, Francesca, Rosebud, and Tuscany where my dad once told tennis pro John McEnroe to go get his car because McEnroe was dressed in a nylon warm-up and he looked like the valet parking guy!

On Grand Ave. a mile or two west of downtown, I recommend La Scarola or II Jacks. Salerno's is in the same neighborhood...their pizza is outstanding. Closer to downtown, there's Maggiano's and Scoozi, both part of the Lettuce Entertain You restaurant chain, but both very good.

Also, Stefani's on Fullerton is exceptional. Ask for Mario the waiter if he's working. Try the calamari appetizer and the duck-stuffed ravioli if it's on the menu that day. The same people also own Riva on Navy Pier and it's also very good.

I am not familiar with any of the restaurants close to the convention headquarters hotel. I can tell you that you'll find a Maggiano's, Antico Posto, and Tuscany in Oak Brook, a few miles south of the convention location.

And then you have the Billy Goat. The original location on Hubbard Street and lower Michigan Ave., north of the river, was the inspiration for the "Cheesburger, Cheesburger" sketch on Saturday Night Live. I recommend the cheesburger. And chips...

I have eaten at every one of these restaurants. Never had a bad meal at any of them.

tony b.