Saturday dinner rec. for a guest from the Philippines/Mexico

We have a houseguest coming into O'hare late Saturday afternoon, and I am looking once again for feedback, or recommendations for an early dinner(6-7 p.m.) in Chicago, or a northern suburb.

Pretty much the same criteria as always, however if there is a non-GNR out there that is worthy I would like to hear about it as well.

My criteria: No chains, no pizza, probably no Mexican(since she has been living in Mexico, so it would have to be someplace different and really good)), no Alinea's, must serve alcohol(byob is not an option this time), behaved toddler friendly, & full service.

The places I have at the top of the list

1) Hae Woon Dae - I figure the Korean BBq, would be fun, and social, without the pressure of ordering on our guest. How does Hae Woon Dae compare to SSGS food wise?

2) Renga-Tei - We had a blast hear a little over a week ago, and would not mind a return trip

3) Semiramis - we had a good meal here a while back, but I cant remember if they had alcohol on the menu.

4) A thai rec that may fit my criteria.

5) I know I said probably no Mexican, but Flamingo's is a possibility, but I have seen very little posted since the initial flury when they opened, and that concerns me.

Any other ideas?

Semiramis is BYO and unless I'm missing something obvious, I don't think there's a well-regarded Thai restaurant that serves alcohol.

How about Myron & Phil's?

Hae Woon Dae is also a good choice with excellent food.

when are these Chicago Thai places going to get with the program...?

I thought about Myron and Phils since it is in the area, & it is a GNR as well, I will have to check out their menu.

Although a chain, my standard recommendation for out-of-country visitors whenever asked on LTH.

Medieval Times... brilliant.. !

Medieval Time can be fun but it depends on where you sit and seating is random as you come in. I've only gone twice and once we were seated in the very first row in the center, greats seats for being in the action but we were overwhelmed with dust and that creosote smell that you get around barns. My nephew loved being right up almost in the action! They do lower a safety curtain but it doesn't stop the smells. Fun time though!

Hey jimswside -

Just wondering - why is byo not an option?

seebee wrote:Hey jimswside -

Just wondering - why is byo not an option?

logistically difficult this time, I really do not want to carry around a cooler of beer in my truck, or try to find a liquor store near a restaurant. Just tough for this excursion, typically I really like BYOB spots.

I had dinner at Flamingos a few weeks ago - it was my first meal there. Friday evening and it was empty at 5:30 but full by the time we left at 7, complete with guitar player.

Food was good. We shared shrimp/chorizo skewers and crab crusted mahi mahi. Shrimp and vegetables on the skewer were wonderful with a great grilled flavor. I didn't care for the chorizo (funny texture) but would not hesitate to order other shrimp dishes in the future. The mahi mahi was my favorite. Delicious and tender in a way that I'd never experienced with mahi mahi. Again - accompaniments were very good. We shared plaintain nachos for dessert - I think they were really bananas, but it was very good. Entrees were in the mid-20s range but I felt there was value for the price - excellent taste and good size portions.

The table next to us had a young child in a high chair - wait staff seemed very accomodating.

lighthouse wrote:I had dinner at Flamingos a few weeks ago - it was my first meal there. Friday evening and it was empty at 5:30 but full by the time we left at 7, complete with guitar player.

Food was good. We shared shrimp/chorizo skewers and crab crusted mahi mahi. Shrimp and vegetables on the skewer were wonderful with a great grilled flavor. I didn't care for the chorizo (funny texture) but would not hesitate to order other shrimp dishes in the future. The mahi mahi was my favorite. Delicious and tender in a way that I'd never experienced with mahi mahi. Again - accompaniments were very good. We shared plaintain nachos for dessert - I think they were really bananas, but it was very good. Entrees were in the mid-20s range but I felt there was value for the price - excellent taste and good size portions.

The table next to us had a young child in a high chair - wait staff seemed very accomodating.

thank you for the response. Thats what I was hoping to hear.

I read alot of positive posts about Flamingo's after they opened, but there had not been any recent opinions, so I was concerned.

as a creature of habit we are going to make a reservation for Renga-Tei for tomorrow night. I cant get the Soba noodles, and a few other items out of my head. I figured I would prefer chatting vs. grilling some meats @ Hae Woon Dae(we are going to get here sooner rather than later)..

Solid choice. If kampachi (amberjack) is on the specials menu, get it. It's outstanding.

Another enjoyable meal @ Renga-Tei on Saturday. Our 7:00 reservation was right on time, and the place was pretty much full the whole time we were there. We shared an order of California Rolls, and a Spicy Scallop roll for an appetizer. I love the fish eggs on the California roll, and the Spicy Scallop roll was a pleasant surprise, a nice kick, with tender chunks of scallop.

We shared combo # 1, Soba noodles stir fried with beef, and an appetizer order of the chicken wings. The wings were a pleasant surprise. They were jucy almost as if they had been brined in soy sauce. Alot of flavor, and a nice crisp skin. The soba noodles were excellent as was the tempura, and terryaki dishes on combo # 1. A nice first meal in CHicago for our guest of the next 6 months.

Next stops are a visit to Cemita's for lunch & maybe Korean BBQ for dinner after coming downtown to see the X-mas lights.

Also a visit over to Cajun Connection will be happeing very soon.

Is Filipino food an option?

Isla Filipina
(BYOB but there is a liquor store next door that carries San Miguel & Red Horse
beers from the Philippines)
2501 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 271-2988
www.islapilipina.com

Fish Pond
(not BYOB, they have beer and wine available)
4416 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 271-1119

rickvaughn wrote:Is Filipino food an option?

Isla Filipina
(BYOB but there is a liquor store next door that carries San Miguel & Red Horse
beers from the Philippines)
2501 W Lawrence Ave
Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 271-2988
http://www.islapilipina.com

Fish Pond
(not BYOB, they have beer and wine available)
4416 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
(773) 271-1119

good rec's for the future if she or my wife gets homesick for some food. At this point I am trying to expose her to as much non-filipino food as possible.