Birthday dinner conundrum

First off, thanks for this site. I think I've posted maybe twice in several years, but it's my go-to resource for eating here at home and just about anywhere else. Kudos.

I am planning a birthday dinner for my lovely wife. After a few years being largely housebound (we have 3.5 yr old twins), we are starting to return to eating out once in a while. Our standard venues for a nice night out have long been Blackbird and (when budget allows) Tru, and neither has ever disappointed. That said, I want to try something different this time (bday in early Sept). Over the past year, we have been to North Pond (a nice night, not worth the price), graham elliott (disappointing), Perennial (wonderful once, a flop the second time), and Naha (used Groupon recently -- lived up to every bit of its reputation.)

We have not been to Alinea, L20, or Schwa yet. Schwa is top choice, but I need a backup in case their reservation roulette does not work out. L20 sounds -- from posts here -- like it has an 80% or so success ratio, and the seafood-centricity is very appealing. I would love to try Alinea, but I'm honestly not sure how I'm going to get the $700+ bill out of my head and enjoy the evening -- maybe it's a personal failing, but I think Alinea may just be beyond what I'm willing to pay for _any_ meal. I don't mind paying up for great service and great food -- I've never regretted a penny that I've spent at Tru -- but Alinea may be out of my league.

So: Am I missing any options? Any more recent additions to the dining scene that I've not mentioned? Should I just shut up and go to Alinea?

Thanks all -- and thanks for putting Nhu Lan on the GNR list. It's a couple blocks from my house, and I've ben going there since they opened. Such wonderful people.

You might want to try Moto, if you are considering Alinea. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal there.

I know it doesn't get the press and the love that it once did,
but my "special" BD dinner at Charlie Trotters knocked my socks off.
They treated my like a queen. I felt so special, and the food and wine was wonderful!

We also had a great anniversary dinner at Copperblue in Lake Point tower
great service great food, and not as astronomic on the cost...

irisarbor wrote:We also had a great anniversary dinner at Copperblue in Lake Point tower
great service great food, and not as astronomic on the cost...

I think Copperblue has been closed for a while.

Thanks for the thoughts so far. I tried Moto (admittedly, a few years ago) and was not all that impressed -- seemed like style trumped substance, and some of the wine pairings were just weird. And we went to Trotters just after we were married, and (unfortunately) had a less than pleasant evening -- after I guided the server to recommend a wine in the 50-75 range , I got a severe blast of "you're not worthy" attitude, and fairly chilly service thereafter. Perhaps I should go back, as the food was good (though not life-changing), but it really irks me when servers imply that anyone not willing to spend >$100 on a bottle of wine is a hopeless rube.

I'd suggest either Avenues (if you want something more contemporary) or Les Nomades (if you're looking for something on the more traditional side).

But, really, just bite the bullet and go to Alinea.

I would agree on Alinea...I've never experienced a meal as special or eventful...as if you're traveling someplace wonderful for several hours. You may be a bit apprehensive about whether it will be worth it before you go but I doubt you'll feel that way on your way out (or weeks/years later). Not that I'd spend my mortgage money to go but assuming that the splurge is otherwise doable, it is truly not hype...

I would go to Alinea too.

Earlier this year, we really, really wanted to go to Alinea for my birthday, but the price was an issue. We went, and got the smaller menu (they now offer only one), and only ordered one glass of wine between the two of us. The serving staff was as nice as could be throughout; there was not even the slightest whiff of attitude (unlike what you describe at Trotter's, which I hope happened a long time ago and wouldn't happen again today). And the meal was a wonderful experience I will remember forever, with food that was amazingly delicious as well as FUN.

According to their website, dinner at Alinea is $185. If you consider wine an essential part of a dinner, you're going to pay considerably more for the privilege. But if you can limit your alcoholic intake during the meal - perhaps have just a glass each, or maybe instead open a bottle at home before leaving for dinner - you should be able to eat there for somewhere around $500 for the two of you. Granted, that's not inexpensive. But it's also not $700. If that makes the difference between going and not going, go for it!

If, OTOH, you decide not to spend that much, there are other options. For example, Everest has a fixed pre-theater menu, $55 for 3 courses for seatings at 5:00/5:30.

If you decide to go for a more casual fine dining place, in the same category as Blackbird, graham elliot, Perennial, Naha, etc, you can have a very nice dinner for under $100 each at such places. In fact, some of the very best meals I've had in the past few years have been at similar places which happen to be in the suburbs: Michael in Winnetka, Inovasi in Lake Bluff, and Tallgrass in Lockport. Michael and Inovasi are both one block from Metra stops with train service back to the city well into the evening hours. And of the three, Inovasi is quite a bargain - in fact, a downright steal! (Even the wine prices there are moderate.) I've been there twice now; the first time we ordered three courses each and, including wine/tax/tip, it came to $50 per person. The second time we ordered four courses each and it turned out to be too much food, but the total still came out to only $66/pp inclusive.

If you want to combine comfortable and even a touch of romantic environment and perfect service , high quality creative encounter between very professional French classicism and contemporary approach to top notch seafood, with a great wine list, go to Ocanique on Main street in Evanston. You wil not take any chance and for that kind of mastering in cooking and such a good service level, you will pay much, much less, than many of the eateries that have been proposed to you on this thread.

alain40 wrote:If you want to combine comfortable and even a touch of romantic environment and perfect service , high quality creative encounter between very professional French classicism and contemporary approach to top notch seafood, with a great wine list, go to Ocanique on Main street in Evanston. You wil not take any chance and for that kind of mastering in cooking and such a good service level, you will pay much, much less, than many of the eateries that have been proposed to you on this thread.

Oceanique
505 Main St.
Evanston, IL 60202-1814
(847) 864-3435
www.oceanique.com

Have you thought about Vie? It's next on my list for special occasion:


viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4130&p=35370&hilit=vie#p35370

In the same category as Blackbird etc, I love Sepia. Absolutely adore it. I've had three perfect meals there in the last year and everything was executed so well. Their sweetbreads are wonderful and I had an excellent head on spice rubbed grilled shrimp over vaduvan carrot purée last week. The pork chop is special too and I love the bone marrow beignets they sometimes serve with their flank steak. Romantic setting, lovely service and great cocktails. Last week we had two apps, two entrees, split a dessert, two cocktails, two glasses of wine and two glasses of port with dessert, for about $225.
I'm still saving up for Alinea, but until then, Sepia, Blackbird etc will have to do.

For me, dinner w/o wine is like bbq w/o sauce -- just can't do it. So, Alinea would be $700 or nuthin'.

Thanks a ton for the Vie idea. Hadn't considered it at all, since we live in Lincoln Square. But the raving LTH posts + their website encouraged a phone call...and they will do an 8-course tasting menu for $100, with wine pairing an additional $40.

SOLD! We're on for Sept 9. I may post a brief follow-up, but I think Ronnie has covered Vie pretty extensively already.

Pat*D wrote:For me, dinner w/o wine is like bbq w/o sauce -- just can't do it. So, Alinea would be $700 or nuthin'.

Thanks a ton for the Vie idea. Hadn't considered it at all, since we live in Lincoln Square. But the raving LTH posts + their website encouraged a phone call...and they will do an 8-course tasting menu for $100, with wine pairing an additional $40.

SOLD! We're on for Sept 9. I may post a brief follow-up, but I think Ronnie has covered Vie pretty extensively already.

Be careful with that BBQ analogy...you're talking to a tough crowd when it comes to 'que

Vie is an excellent pick. I've had a tasting menu there, and it was fantastic...if it was closer to the city, I'm sure I'd go there a lot more. Enjoy your dinner!