Szechuan East is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. Good food, attentive staff, reasonable price. It bills itself as the best Chinese restaurant in Chicago. I think that's pushing it a bit, but it is pretty good.
The last time I visited Szechuan East, it was a chilly, rainy evening. With the wind blowing off the lake, and the rain, I was cold to the bone by the time that I had walked the two blocks to the restaurant. (I never seem to bring the right clothes to Chicago!)
I walked in with teeth chattering, and the host brought me to my table and said "You need tea!". He left me a menu, and whisked away to return with a steaming pot of Chinese tea.
My order was taken promptly, and my meal - Szechuan Chicken - came quickly. This was good. Nicely spicy with a silky smooth sauce. This was accompanied by a bottle of TsingTao beer, which was just about perfect.
When my bill was presented, I found that the pot of warming tea I had been brought upon arrival was complimentary. That was a nice touch. My meal, with tax, a healthy tip, and two beers came to $25. Not bad.
Entrees are in the $11 to $30 dollar range. Spicy Szechuan food is a specialty, but other, less fiery, dishes are available. They serve a full complement of American and imported beers and wine. In fine weather you can sit outside on the sidewalk, though the view is mostly of people lining up for the movie theater next door.
Szechuan East is located right next to a Holiday Inn, and a couple of blocks from Lake Shore Drive. There are a lot of good restaurants in this neighborhood, but this is one I never pass up.
Szechuan East
340 E. Ohio
312-255-9200