Recomendation? "lots of small dishes" near downto

In chicago with family tomorrow.

Love to get a suggestion or two for follwing:
- Long late lunch
- Near or in downtown. (lets say 5 mile radious of Shedd Aquarium)
- Casual place where we can get a mix of reasonably kid friendly food, and something more interesting for the adults.
- Kids are fairly adventerous eaters
- Appetizers/tapas/sushi/chinese always works since we can order lots of smaller dishes and everyone can find something they like
- Prefer ethnic or creative...not a burger or pizza joint
- $50-120 for 2 adults/3 kids lunch

As a reference, our last "day in Chicago" lunch spot was Cafe Iberico(sp?) which was a big hit.

I'd say Greektown might be a good place to go with the kids. The Greek Islands, in particular, is large, boistrous and quite family friendly, while serving very good to excellent food, including lots of different kinds of mezze (small plates). I also quite like Santorini for a more quiet, seafood orientated place. Another favorite of mine is Costa's which has IMO the best food in Greektown, but a more limited menu than Greek Islands. It's also a little quieter and may or may not be appropriate for the kids, depending on their demeanor when in a restaurant. You can't go wrong with the Greek Islands, though.

Greek Islands
200 S. Halsted St
Chicago, IL
312-782-9855

Santorini
800 W. Adams
Chicago, IL
312-829-8820

Costas
340 S. Halsted
Chicago, IL
312-263-9700

Two words: DIM SUM. Always makes me happy.

Wherever is good for you... Phoenix, big Three Happiness, Furama, all in Chinatown, of course.

gmonkey wrote:Two words: DIM SUM. Always makes me happy.

Wherever is good for you... Phoenix, big Three Happiness, Furama, all in Chinatown, of course.

Furama is right by the Argyle Red line (in Old Town) actually...unless there is another one. Oh, it looks like there is. Never mind...

My #1 Chinatown Dim Sum joint of choice is Happy Chef

Happy Chef Dim Sum House

2164 S Archer Ave, Chicago, 60616 - (312) 808-3689

If it's going to be as nice tomorrow as it is today (or as nice as it was yesterday, when we were at the Aquarium) then one thing to consider is packing a picnic lunch and eating on the lawn or the rocks between the Planetarium and the Shedd, which I wish we had thought to do Thursday. One of the city's great views, of course, and if you get there fairly early you can get metered parking right there, though the signs directing you into the parking lots won't tell you that. But for restaurants I would second Chinatown, always good with kids, or Pilsen, not too much farther away (Nuevo Leon or the cafeteria-style Taqueria El Milagro are two that my kids like, and stop at BomBon across from Nuevo Leon for a delicious pastry or cake.) You could also shoot down Cermack to Oakley Avenue and eat at one of the Italian restaurants there -- Bruna's being a current board favorite and a place we've always liked. Or you could stay downtown and go to the Park Grill, which has its fans and detractors, but we've had some very enjoyable family meals there (it can be pricey, though.) And the setting provides another enjoyable city experience. Make reservations if you want to go there. You can find really fresh Dungeness crab and Maine Lobster at the Crabs exhibit at the Aquarium, but alas, not to be eaten (though what will happen to them when the exhibit closes was something I wondered about.)

Hi,

I also park on the Shedd peninsula whenever possible. I haven't been there recently but I heard on the television they were not allowing cars to be parked there. I don't know if that is temporary or permanent. At 25 cents per quarter hour with up to 12 hours, it is a pretty good deal if available. I always pay for at least one hour longer than I plan to visit. So bring your quarters!

Regards,

As of yesterday, anyway, there was still parking there, and at the rates you indicate. It is one of the city's great deals; I hope they don't plan to take it away.

Hi,

More and more the park district wants people to park in their lots, which is $10 or $12. In addition, Daley probably finds the sight of cars on the peninsula unappealing, so I doubt the opportunity to park there will be forever.

Mushroom Club used to meet at the Field Museum until we were not allowed to use the west parking lot and McFetridge Drive parking spots disapeered with Soldier Field remodeling. Off season the park district wanted to charge us $65 to keep an attendant on duty to collect our $10 per car. We paid only $15 to meet at the Field Museum. 'Deals' like that forced us to find a new home.

Regards,

I'm sure you're right; everything has been done to force traffic into the "improved" terribly expensive Soldier Field garages, including shutting off McFetridge Drive and eliminating parking on Columbus Drive -- I used to park there, too, and walk over to the museums but metered parking there is no more. Even on free days or even if you are a member the museums have become unpleasantly pricey, when you throw in parking and all the assorted other expenses. I recall going one day last winter to the Field Museum, where we are members; the metered parking was full up so we bit the bullet and went into the garage. Then, because we all had bulky winter coats, we got in the coat check line (Xmas week, I believe, so the Museum was crowded) to get rid of them (another $2 a coat, even for members.) But the most ridiculous part was that once we got up to the coat checker, she refused to take my coat because it was "fur" -- specifically, my el cheapo down parka had a faux fur collar on it! The woman behind me got agitated as well because she also was wearing a clearly fake "leopard" skin jacket -- they weren't going to take that either. I felt bad for the coat checker because she didn't speak a huge amount of English and was just trying to follow the rules and obviously had been told that above all else she was to accept nothing that even looked like fur. We were all trying to be polite but I really didn't want to wear my coat around that hot museum all day, especially after waiting in line for 15 minutes. Anyhow, there was a mini-rebellion right there in the museum and people just started dropping their coats and a manager came over and etc....Finally all was resolved and the faux furs got to live in the coat check area for the day. But the coat checking is another thing that adds up. I think there may be lockers on the ground floor of the Field but those may be gone now too. Alas, I recall when it wasn't a major investment to go to these museums, but then they just had dark hallways with animals behind glass that you couldn't "interact" with -- though I always liked those exhibits...

Thanks everyone for their suggestions (Parking AND restaurants). We didnt get there until late, so the metered parking was all gone, but we were able to get in ground parking right next to the museum. 13 bucks, but closer and less confusion than the stadium parking.

Ended up in greektown at Greek Islands. Did lots of appetizers and the 1/2 portion entrees, bottle of cheap wine, and a couple desserts for a very reasonable 90 bucks for 2 adults, two teens, and an 8 year old. Food was good...highlights were the grilled baby octopus, pasticio, and the potato and roe dip (forget what its called). Only complaint was we ordered approx 10 dishes and they brought them all at once, which overwelmed our table capacity. Woudl have been nice to have them in a couple waves, perhaps the cold items followed by the hot ones. But a minor issue, especially with hungry teens.

Will definatelly do chinatown next visit.

fishie wrote:Only complaint was we ordered approx 10 dishes and they brought them all at once, which overwelmed our table capacity. Woudl have been nice to have them in a couple waves, perhaps the cold items followed by the hot ones. But a minor issue, especially with hungry teens.

One of the lessons that I've learned when dining on appetizers in places that may not specialize in "small plates" is to order in small batches and keep one menu at your table. I've been in the same situation where they bring everything at once and now I generally order in the batches that I'd like to eat.

Glad you enjoyed your visit.

Best,
Michael

fishie wrote:potato and roe dip

Taramasalat ...

Chinese restaurants also tend to bring things all at once. You can ask them to stagger the dishes.

ToniG - If you notice the cost of admission presently at museums rivals first run movie tickets, which seems to be what they peg their admission fees against. The lockers in the basement near McDonalds seem to be for school groups.

It is very easy to blow a $100 for a family visiting a museum. So every time I hear complaints about the drop in attendance rates they blame everything but their admission fees. We still go, though we're glad my Dad acquired a life membership long time ago.

Regards,

Chicago residents (ones who plan ahead, anyway...) can check out a Museum Passport from their branch of the Chicago Public Library for free admission to 11 of the city's museums.

http://www.chipublib.org/003cpl/partner ... gkids.html

(Have we done this? No. Please see note about planning ahead. )

We do this all the time for the grandkids. Sometimes we don't get our first choice but can usually please them with some museum. I think each pass is good for 8 people and it can really save huge bucks.
Paulette