Maybe you’ve heard: There’s a recession raging. While that means your days of whipping out the corporate card to bankroll two-hour steak lunches may be behind you (for now, anyway), it doesn’t mean you have to brown bag it every day. Leave your leftovers at home and take advantage of these lunchtime deals at spots you probably didn’t think you could afford without unfettered access to that bygone expense account. $7-$11 $9.95 $14.95
David Burke’s Primehouse
You’ll feel flush (even if you’re not) when you slide into one of the big booths at this steakhouse inside the James Chicago boutique hotel, where lunching execs rub elbows with neighborhood residents of all ages.
The deal: One of nine soups (including duck meatball and almond and walnut cream with roasted apples) poured tableside from a tin can into your bowl ($7). Add one of seven gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, such as smoked mozzarella and garlic spinach on Texas toast or farmer’s cheese with roasted peppers on chorizo bread, for $4.
Estimated savings: $15-$20
McCormick & Schmick’s
The noontime vibe is more casual than the dinner scene at this elegant Gold Coast outpost of the national seafood chain, but you’ll still see large office celebrations and plenty of business meetings in the alcove table "snugs." In a hurry? Tell your server and there’s a guaranteed 45-minute turnaround.
The deal: Choice of sandwich (including cod, blackened catfish and more) with fries or a daily blue plate special such as mussel and clam risotto or steelhead trout with rice
Estimated savings: $10
Opera
Featuring a menu of classic Chinese cuisine with modern twists, this splashy spot attracts a fun-loving bunch of South Loop professionals and neighboring college teachers. If you want peace and quiet, request an alcove table.
The deal: "Lunch box" including soup, one of 10 entrees (options include firecracker chicken, Mongolian beef and grilled salmon with yuzu beurre fondue), jasmine, brown or veggie fried rice, and fresh fruit or creme brulee
Estimated savings: $15
$15
Blackbird
James Beard Award-winning executive chef Paul Kahan offers contemporary American cuisine with a focus on local ingredients at this celebrated foodie fave, which pulls in an eclectic lunch crowd ranging from West Loop techies to formally attired opera-matinee-goers.
The deal: Beef short-rib burger or seared whitefish sandwich with a salad, fries and dessert doughnuts
Estimated savings: $10
$16
C-House (pictured)
Loop business types, Michigan Avenue shoppers and tourists co-mingle during lunch at this seafood and raw bar from award-winning (but seldom-seen-in-Chicago) celeb chef Marcus Samuelsson, where executive chef Seth Siegel-Gardner (pictured) runs the show.
The deal: Salad or lobster-squash soup; salmon pastrami sandwich, whitefish burger or Angus prime cheddar burger, all served with fries; and a house-made candy bar
Estimated savings: $5
$20.09
N9NE Steakhouse
Most everyone dresses up—even for lunch—at this slick, uber-modern steakhouse, where you’ll dine beside plenty of besuited local power brokers and their clients.
The deal: Lobster bisque or apple salad; roasted halibut or grilled filet mignon; and chocolate bread pudding or apple crisp
Estimated savings: $18-$33
Julia Borcherts is a Metromix special contributor. metromix@tribune.com
