Spot for a nice birthday lunch?

In what is now a tradition, I am taking my good friend out for a nice birthday lunch on Friday, but am stumped as to where to go. We're in Park Ridge; last year, it was Zia's in Edison Park, which was delish; year before, Retro Bistro in Mt. Prospect -- also very good, but the place was empty, so it was just too danged quiet!

Where should we go? Don't really care about price; looking for quality, service and atmosphere.

Thanks, as always, for your suggestions, LTHers!

Sharon

Gibson's, in Rosemont?

nsxtasy wrote:Gibson's, in Rosemont?

I like Gibson's, but I think I had in mind something more ... interesting. I have been searching in vain through lists of suburban restaurants; anyone have suggestions more toward Chicago?

Sharon

sdbond wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:Gibson's, in Rosemont?

I like Gibson's, but I think I had in mind something more ... interesting. I have been searching in vain through lists of suburban restaurants; anyone have suggestions more toward Chicago?

Sharon

Sun Wah for Peking duck and Chinese BBQ? That's where I spent my B-Day.

sdbond wrote:I like Gibson's, but I think I had in mind something more ... interesting. I have been searching in vain through lists of suburban restaurants; anyone have suggestions more toward Chicago?

Smoque and Red Apple aren't far, but may not have the atmosphere you're seeking for your birthday. How far into the city are you willing to go? For example, if you're willing to go to Logan Square, there's Lula, and West Town has Mexique and Jam. Of course, if you're willing to go downtown, there are tons of choices; Topolobampo's lunch prices are reasonable, Blackbird has a great 3-course prix fixe deal at lunch, Naha may be the most expensive lunch in the city, etc.

In the opposite direction, Yanni's is right off the Northwest Tollway at Arlington Heights Road, and if you're willing to keep going into downtown Arlington Heights, you have Salsa 17 and altThai. Have you been to Yanni's? It's a very nice Greek restaurant, and the food is consistently good. I've eaten there for lunch, and had dinner there last month. Seems like exactly the kind of place you're looking for, and you can get there from Park Ridge in 15 minutes. (It's in the out-lot of Mitsuwa Marketplace.)

nsxtasy wrote:

sdbond wrote:I like Gibson's, but I think I had in mind something more ... interesting. I have been searching in vain through lists of suburban restaurants; anyone have suggestions more toward Chicago?

Smoque and Red Apple aren't far, but may not have the atmosphere you're seeking for your birthday. How far into the city are you willing to go? For example, if you're willing to go to Logan Square, there's Lula, and West Town has Mexique and Jam. Of course, if you're willing to go downtown, there are tons of choices; Topolobampo's lunch prices are reasonable, Blackbird has a great 3-course prix fixe deal at lunch, Naha may be the most expensive lunch in the city, etc.

In the opposite direction, Yanni's is right off the Northwest Tollway at Arlington Heights Road, and if you're willing to keep going into downtown Arlington Heights, you have Salsa 17 and altThai. Have you been to Yanni's? It's a very nice Greek restaurant, and the food is consistently good. I've eaten there for lunch, and had dinner there last month. Seems like exactly the kind of place you're looking for, and you can get there from Park Ridge in 15 minutes. (It's in the out-lot of Mitsuwa Marketplace.)

Well, lunch got derailed by a nasty migraine (but when aren't migraines nasty?). Anyway, I've got more time to consider options now. I think 30 minutes' drive time from Park Ridge in any direction would work. I know where Yanni's is, but have never eaten there; for some reason, I don't think Maria is a fan of Greek food. I'll check out the other restaurant websites you recommended; Blackbird might work.

Thanks!

Sharon

I just had a birthday lunch at Kendall College's dining room. It was FANTASTIC. They do an $18 prix fixe 3-course lunch, choice of any appetizer, entree, and dessert. With some of the appetizers over $10 and the entrees topping out at $17, this is a bargain! Very pretty dining room, free parking, impeccable service, view of the entire kitchen - you can't go wrong!
http://www.kendall.edu/news-and-events/the-dining-room/

Well, we finally managed to venture out for my friend Maria's birthday lunch, and we went to Blackbird. First off, she loved the atmosphere when we walked in -- just crowded enough to be lively but not so much that we couldn't hear each other across the table.

The service was impeccable, and our waitperson was very patient with all the questions we had about the menu; she was definitely knowledgeable about everything on it.

I went with a starter of the soup of the day -- broccoli on this Friday afternoon -- and it was very nice -- you were served a bowl with crunchy pieces of pork belly and something else (forget now) in the bottom, then the soup was poured over. Very supple texture, lovely green color. The pork belly added just the right texture and crunch. Maria decided to pass on an appetizer, so no report on that half of the table!

For the entree, I went with the wood-grilled sturgeon with chanterelles, kohlrabi, plums, thai poppy jam and brown butter fish sauce. Boy did I enjoy this! The highlight of everything on the plate, for me, though, were the kohlrabi greens. Salty and crunchy, they were divine. The sturgeon was cut into triangles and served standing up, so it was a very nice presentation. The texture was firm and the flavor was just strong enough for my tastebuds.

Maria had the roasted farm chicken and prawns with quinoa, grilled snap peas and mish mish . The presentation was just lovely -- the chicken piece that was served was round, with the prawn draped over the top. Maria pronounced it delicious.

There were two misfires to the whole lunch; the first was dessert, which was supposedly a deconstructed white chocolate sponge cake with buttermilk ice cream, caraway seed custard and raspberries. The cake was, well, stale, and didn't really taste like anything. To enjoy the custard, you would really have to like caraway seeds, which I don't, but I was willing to give them a try. I still don't like caraway seeds, I found out. The buttermilk ice cream was the best part of the dish. We both enjoyed it.

The second misfire was the coffee. I ordered a cappucino, and it was about the worst cup of coffee I have ever had. It was, I swear, grainy! And by the time it was served, the foam layer had disintegrated into the coffee itself. Just. Not. Good. I would probably just order a regular cup of coffee on another visit, especially since Blackbird's certainly not an Italian restaurant.

So, all in all, a very nice, leisurely lunch with a good friend and good food. Who could ask for more?

Sharon