Date night for beleaguered parents

Any recommendations for a good date night place for me and my husband? We finally have a sitter for Saturday night. We only seem to go out for big occasions (birthdays, anniversary) these days and consquently are kind of out of the loop on good places for a regular weekend night out. I'm thinking the kind of place that takes reservations ('cause I am too old to wait around), has a nice but not hipper-than-thou atmosphere and entrees in the $15-20 range. We live in Bucktown but will travel to almost anywhere in the city.

Thanks in advance,

Emily

I'd have to reccomend Bistro Campagne and/or La Bocca della Verita. Both are in Lincoln Square, and both are on Lincoln Avenue. If you forced me to choose between the two, I'd have to go with Bistro Campagne. Excellent food, friendly staff, and a great atmosphere. Their entrees are all outstanding. If you plan to go, make reservations at the beginning of the week because they book up qucikly.

La Bocca is a favorite of mine because the food is reliable, and the restaurant has a cozy atmosphere, and friendly staff. It's good Italian food, and the reason I return on such a regular basis is because I've gotten to know the waitstaff and enjoying talking to them.

Bistro Campagne
4518 N. Lincoln Ave.
(773) 271-6100.

La Bocca Della Verita
4618 N. Lincoln Ave.
(773) 784-6222.

I'd recommend Dorado, a French Mexican sort of hybrid. The fish entrees are particulary outstanding, and if it's still BYOB, it's an unusually good value. There are extensive write-ups on this site.

Jonah

Dorado Restaurant
2301 W. Foster
Chicago
773-561-3780

I agree with all the suggestions, but thought I would throw out another one...Mrs. Murphy's and Sons Irish Bistro. They opened up a couple of weeks ago. It is the former chef/owner of Blue Stem and the Murphy family from Murphy's Bleachers. I don't think I have seen a thread about it yet.

It's a big place, but with a very cozy feeling since it is divided into multiple spaces on two floors. Upstairs is a nice piano bar (relaxing, not intrusive)and all the rooms have unique looks. The food was very good with fresh ingredients and nothing that seemed out of place or too ambitious.

They have valet parking, but we managed to find street parking right next to the valet lot (next to Martyrs').

Enjoy your evening out.

Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro
3905 N. Lincoln Ave.
773-248-3905

No need to even leave Bucktown! Think Cafe has great food, is BYOB (small corkage I believe), very romantic and service at a slow, relaxing pace.

Think
2235 N. Western Ave.
773-394-0537

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'vedefinitely been meaning to try Think, but it is very close to our house and we kind of wanted to get out of the nieghborhood. Dorado might not work for my husband, since he doesn't much care for seafood. (I know, I know, it's a problem.)

So, anyway, we've decided to try Kiki's Bistro. Please don't tell me it's terrible. It's one of those places that we've always meant to try and never have and my husband really likes bistro food.

I haven't been to Kiki's in quite a while, but I remember thinking that it was the best of the French bistros in Chicago. Please let us know about your meal.