Northbrook, Euclid/Milwaukee intersection

I'm meeting up with some old friends in the Northbrook area, and we'd like to find a place on or around Euclid/Milwaukee intersection for drinks, cigars, and maybe a light dinner.

Suggestions?

Hammond

Empire Szechwan, just north of Euclid, is pretty good.

Seoul Garden, at Sanders and Milwaukee, is even better.

Johnny's Kitchen and Tap at Euclid and Milwaukee, is OK, but runs hot and cold depending on how busy they are, so after a bad service experience, we stopped going.

There's a Japanese place in the same strip as Johnny's, but I haven't tried it yet.

I also haven't been in Cy's Steakhouse, just south of there.
There's an omelets-to-steak-with-a-glass-case-of-cakes restaurant on Lake just east of Milwaukee that used to be Dapper's North, I've forgotten the new name, and while I haven't been in since it changed hands, my wife says it's fine.

There were reviews earlier this month on Cafe Lucci, a little farther south on Milwaukee, and then you get to Periyali (outstanding Greek) and Daori (high-priced Korean) as you get near Greenwood.

In the other direction on Milwaukee, you've got Prime Minister (perfectly ordinary but competent continental food), and Algauers (sp?) at Milwaukee & Winkelman, still famous for tableside steak diane and a high-end sunday brunch.

I think I have the place for you, and it is one of my favorite restraurants generally, although one I rarely go to these days. It's called the Prime Minister. It's on Sander's just past the intersection of Sanders and Milwaukee--about 1/4 mile from Euclid.

It's Horwath's without anyone getting gunned down, but has its own certain cache especially for professional atheletes who like to party. Foodwise, it's like a very, very nice version of a local Greek diner, with good if not top quality steaks, prime rib, etc. It's the kind of place (or it used to be) where your baked potato came with the three parted container of toppings and they point a bazooka sized pepper grinder into your face after you get your salad. It's a throwback in all the best of ways.

I do not have too much time to fully describe it, but I really think it fits your bill--and I am hankering to go there myself now!

Rob

I ate dinner at Cafe Lucci once. Very large portions and too rich ingredient combinations. That said, a great sunken square bar with seating on four sides attracts an active early evening clientele mix of business folks, some singles, in fact a variety of people (but don't know about later as its after my bedtime). Might prove just the right call for drinks, cigars and a couple of edible appetizers.

I stay in this area up by Milwaukee and River Rd, and have taken to retreating ten minutes south to Peryali, which also has a nice bar--but, doesn't seem to get much of a weekday bar scene. I would say Peryali if its stone quiet you want.

Am real curious about the Prime Minister, now. They always have a crowd. Cigars, bourbon, shrimp coctail and sliced tomatoes and bermuda onion? Will have to try next visit.

Seoul Garden I think you know. Great food, but probably not a cigar type place.

Which ever place is targeted, suggest you call ahead to see if cigars are sold/allowed (different topic)!

VI, you've piqued my curiousity re Prime Minister.

Web site/menu seems insightful

http://www.primeministerrestaurant.com

Your thumbnail sounds apt.

The place that was Dapper's is now Glenview Delights.

I like Prime Minister, and it has an interesting Twin Peaks quality. We try to sit in a booth in the bar area. That may be the reason why we occasionally have comically bad service.

Steve Drucker wrote:VI, you've piqued my curiousity re Prime Minister.

Web site/menu seems insightful

http://www.primeministerrestaurant.com

Your thumbnail sounds apt.

Did you go?