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Cafe Nargis on Coney Island Ave is a bit of a walk/bus ride, but worth the trek. It's technically Uzbek, but you'll find a lot of Russians there enjoying the soups and kebabs and salads. It's a favorite of my (Russian) family. Fairly heavy, but incredibly delicious.

There's lots of prepared food at International which you can take to go and enjoy on the boardwalk.

Gambrinus (on Ocean Pkwy) focuses on seafood and does all the Russian classics as well. We used to go here all the time when I was little girl, but switched our allegiance to Nargis which is a bit less formal and also cheaper.

i love it braised and then spooned into tacos, tortas, tostadas... pretty much anything mexican.

ribeye, but i'll take a porterhouse for sure

brussels sprouts with bacon yummmm

how about bouillabaisse or some other seafood stew?

definitely chicago.

I eat organic because I am allergic to the pesticides sprayed on certain fruits and vegetables. They make me break out in rashes, cause breathing problems, etc. I found this to be a problem particularly with peaches, strawberries, apples, pears, tomatoes, lettuce... Actually almost everything. Because I got sick from eating conventional food, I switched, but really, I would never go back even if it didn't make me sick because of the superior taste.

I also eat local because I like to know where my food is coming from. Yes, I do spend more money on food than people who buy conventional food imported cheaply from other parts of the world (or other parts of the country or down the road). But the food I am eating tastes better and I don't get sick from what I eat anymore, so that makes me feel good.

Yes, I think it's worth the expense. It means I shop less for clothes and go out a little less, but I like to think I am saving on allergy medicine and healthcare bills so it all evens out.

stews, braises, soups, casseroles...
i hate to admit it (and i hate to say goodbye to tomatoes) but i am ready for cooler weather food!

oh man, i love inwood.

if you enjoy delicious pork, then you have to get the chicharones at la reina de chicharones on broadway and academy. they are sold by the pound and washed down with an ice cold presidente and some tostones, they are amazing.

if you want to try venezuelan street food (trust me, you want to try venezuelan street food), check out cachapas y mas on dyckman between post and nagle (right by the 1 train, a few blocks east of bway). yummy, filling, and cheap. they also have patacones which are sandwiches with tostones instead of bread. oh man, amazing.

indian road cafe is indeed exceptionally yummy and has a lovely atmosphere.

garden cafe isn't bad.

but really la reina's where it's at.

enjoy your bike ride!

also, if you are stopping along the way, dinosaur bbq is yummy, right off the greenway, and has outdoor seating (or you can take it to go and eat along the river. it's at 131 st and riverside drive, right across from fairway.

i love french fries on white bread with tons of hot sauce (ketchup or bbq sauce optional, but welcome). i know they do "chip sandwiches" in england but no one really does it here which makes me kind of sad.

chicago has some of the best food in the country. where will you be staying? i recommend finding something in a neighborhood with some character instead of on the mag mile... you will enjoy your time more and it will be easier to walk to places to eat.

some of my favorites:
the publican
hot doug's
birchwood kitchen (i would say definitely a must)
mado
bari foods (for the best italian subs)
the bristol
milk & honey cafe (charming for lunch)
of course, alinea, but it's a splurge, clearly.
quartino (this is rt off the mag mile and is a great value for the money, i think. italian small plates)
fox & obel (this is a gourmet market with a cafe inside, great food and rt by navy pier if you're doing that)

some new stuff has opened since i moved away that sounds fun:
big star
longman & eagle

also chicago has tons of really great farmer's markets. and there is good pizza there too. and great burgers, btw, at kuma's corner. among others.

anyway -- i think a foodie vacation in chicago is a great idea! enjoy!

dry rieslings and malbecs.