Active LTH'er Returning After 3 Years

Hi Everyone:

I lived in Chicago between 2009 and 2011 and frequented as many GNR's as was possible via public transportation. The best eating years of my life were spent here. I'm returning for 48 hours from 6/13-6/15 and would greatly appreciative some assistance in choosing where to eat.

While living in Chicago, my top two choices for Mexican were Cemitas Pueblan and the Birreria on S. Pulaski. Are both places still consistently good? Is there anything else that is notable and of the same quality?

On Saturday evening, I'll be dining out as part of a group of 6. Is there a recommendation for a mid-range meal (no more that $50 per person) and someplace memorable. I recall liking Avec the one time I was there.

If you love thai food (and I'm sure you do), you may regret not stopping by Rainbow Cuisine Thai, before you head back home.

thatkidalex wrote:On Saturday evening, I'll be dining out as part of a group of 6. Is there a recommendation for a mid-range meal (no more that $50 per person) and someplace memorable. I recall liking Avec the one time I was there.

On a Saturday night, you're going to have to wait an awfully long time to be seated at Avec. Especially for a group of six, since you'll have to wait for almost everyone at one of their tables to finish, and people at a table don't all start eating at the same time.

Unless everyone in your group enjoys waiting a long, long time to be seated, you're MUCH better off making a reservation in advance. At this point, only a few days ahead, a lot of the most desirable places won't have any availability, assuming you're not willing to dine early (5:30) or late (9:30). Again, especially for a group of six. So make a reservation, and do it RIGHT NOW.

I'm looking at availability on Opentable for a table for six this Saturday, and one name jumps out at me. Anteprima, the Italian restaurant in Andersonville, has openings at 7:00 and at 8:30. Outstanding food in a casual, lively neighborhood-ey bistro atmosphere (it's a GNR) and great value for the money (yes you'll meet your $50 target unless people like to drink, in which case you won't meet it anywhere ).

Lao Hunan. Make sure you get the Jade Tofu, even if you think you hate tofu. Ground pork with preserved vegetables, and crispy eggplant. You can easily stay under budget for a party of 6. This place is not fancy, but I've done birthday/celebrations with upwards of 20 folks there without a problem the last few years.

I've also done avec with 6 but we did it pre-theatre, showing up before the doors opened.