Help me to find...

I'm not trying to start a new game, but AMG1026's post from today reminded me that I can ask you for the name of a place I can't remember. I do have a few details: BYOB (which could be why I don't remember name???), on a corner in Chicago (more north than south), white table cloths?, an elderly woman? dining right when you walk in but also to left as you face kitchen? brick building? pretty easy to find parking?? nice neighborhood? Cuban (this I am sure of!). Guava empanadas were on the menu, though I know that doesn't help much. I've searched the threads here and don't remember seeing it. But as you can tell by my post, not remembering much of anything these days.
Thanks for any ideas.

Sabor a Cuba, which is now closed?

WOW, that was fast. Remind me never to wrack my brain again when I have you here to help! I'll have to look for a replacement, thanks!

janeyb wrote:...BYOB (which could be why I don't remember name???), on a corner in Chicago (more north than south), white table cloths?, an elderly woman? dining right when you walk in but also to left as you face kitchen? brick building?

I'm curious about the logic of including the detail about the elderly woman? Did she die during her meal and they just left her there?

Ok LTH, my turn to play help me remember the restaurant.

The year was probably 1996, I was younger, in love and looking for the perfect date location. Recommended was an Italian place and it was perfect.

Brick building, older
Corner entrance with an awning - and I believe one of the fabric enclosure set ups around the entrance.
basic wood floors, simple decor
nice outdoor patio with a small Eifel tower structure over the outdoor seating, covered with rope lighting.

The outdoor space was fenced off from the street by 6'ish wood fence and bordered on one side by the restaurant and opposite side by another brick building.

Thank you

neighborhood??

I don't know the neighborhood but I am guessing that is was in a near north or northwestside. I am sure that the tab at the time was over $50 per person.

Salvatore's in Lincoln Park--on Arlington Pl.? http://www.salvatoreschicago.com/photos.html

it was not Salvatore's though that space looks beautiful.

I think the most significant aspect of the place was the Eiffel tower above the outside space. it was pretty significant in size and was lovely with the lights.

The Eiffel Tower detail combined with the Italian restaurant theme is definitely something that would be memorable...but not ringing any bells for me!

Yeah why would an Italian resto have an Eiffel Tower? Are you sure it was not French?

third coast foodie wrote:The year was probably 1996, I was younger, in love and looking for the perfect date location. Recommended was an Italian place and it was perfect.

Brick building, older
Corner entrance with an awning - and I believe one of the fabric enclosure set ups around the entrance.
basic wood floors, simple decor
nice outdoor patio with a small Eifel tower structure over the outdoor seating, covered with rope lighting.

The outdoor space was fenced off from the street by 6'ish wood fence and bordered on one side by the restaurant and opposite side by another brick building.

It sounds like Café du Midi, not Italian but southern French, on the northwest corner of Damen & Charleston. Café du Midi was definitely around in 1996. Since then the building has housed Meritage, Duchamp and now Red Door.

Here's a You Tube and pic of Cafe Du Midi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95W1uyj1LVA

http://www.mccollumarchitects.com/Proye ... umidi.html

Rene G wrote:

third coast foodie wrote:The year was probably 1996, I was younger, in love and looking for the perfect date location. Recommended was an Italian place and it was perfect.

Brick building, older
Corner entrance with an awning - and I believe one of the fabric enclosure set ups around the entrance.
basic wood floors, simple decor
nice outdoor patio with a small Eifel tower structure over the outdoor seating, covered with rope lighting.

The outdoor space was fenced off from the street by 6'ish wood fence and bordered on one side by the restaurant and opposite side by another brick building.

It sounds like Café du Midi, not Italian but southern French, on the northwest corner of Damen & Charleston. Café du Midi was definitely around in 1996. Since then the building has housed Meritage, Duchamp and now Red Door.

A little embarrassed that I thought the restaurant was Italian but very grateful for the help. Cafe Du Midi is certainly the spot.
Thankyou, Thankyou LTH!