Third choice for 50th anniversary dinner?

My sister and I wanted to take our parents to Topolobampo for their 50th but even 8 weeks before the date we were unable to reserve a table, same with Frontera which was moms 2nd choice. Any recs for a restaurant worthy of such an occasion without being too fancy or too expensive?

Here's my advice: make a reservation on opentable.com. There are plenty of restaurants worthy of such an occasion, Open Table will show you which have availability at the time you want.

Or just call Mado.

If you were looking at Topolobampo and Frontera, try Mixteco. Similar style of food, BYOB, easy to get a reservation, less expensive than either Frontera or Topolobampo, and I prefer the food.

-Dan

Need more info. Are they big Mexican food fans or are they Bayless fans? If you show up at Frontera around 5:15 or so, you might be able to get in with a short wait, especially midweek. How many would be in the whole party?

Are they from out of town, where are you going to be, blah blah. The more info you tell us the better we'd be able to offer suggestions.

OK

Fans of Bayless & mexican food but we are open to any type of cuisine or restaurant. Expensive is OK, but we would prefer a more casual restaurant. We did "fine dining" for their 40th. They live in Michigan but are in Chicago often.

What about A Tavola or Gaetano's?

dansch wrote:If you were looking at Topolobampo and Frontera, try Mixteco. Similar style of food, BYOB, easy to get a reservation, less expensive than either Frontera or Topolobampo, and I prefer the food.

-Dan

I second this, and also recommend Salpicon and Sol de Mexico. These are my favorite upscale-casual-Mexican restaurants. The food is as good (if not better, according to many) as Frontera Grill. It is best to make a reservation, but you should be able to get a reservation for a prime-time Friday or Saturday night with less than a week's notice. Salpicon is slightly more upscale than Frontera Grill, Sol de Mexico, and Mixteco.

Topolombapo is a unique experience - I don't think there is a restaurant in Chicago that offers quite that level of refined Mexican cooking.

I think A Tavola would be a fine choice for a small party--subdued, romantic & KILLER Italian food.

It seems that that would beat waiting in line for a table @ Frontera. I would still put my name on the list for Topo, though: you often get lucky for these things.

North Pond is also a nice place for an anniversary dinner; perhaps too formal for what you're looking for.

I think Fonda del Mar is pretty amazing. Really outstanding, innovative Mexican food in an attractive setting.

I would not schlep out to Gaetano's or Sol de Mexico for an "event" with out-of-towners. I assume they'll be staying downtown and you may want to stop somewhere for a few drinks before or after and not have to worry about transportation. Quick cab ride would be my preferred route. Salpicon would work well. Cafe Spiaggia is a nice room. Sepia, Moto, Naha, Nomi are other ideas.

Perennial?