If the young gentleman in question is a big sports fan (including x-sports, as in 'extreme', mind you), the ESPN Zone, mentioned above by Paulette, would seem to me to be a good possibility. I'd ask him if that sounds interesting, since there isn't such a place, I assume, in Springfield.

***

LionRock wrote:

Erik M. wrote:* Lula "dressed up" as the ficticious Olive Pit for Halloween this year. Yes, it was a thinly-veiled reference to Olive Garden. Yes, the menu was entirely Italian. Yes, I went. It was flippin' brilliant.

Off topic, but I also went to Lula last Monday and I concur that it was flippin' brilliant. The lack of the bottomless salad was a problem for my dining partner - a recovering OG aficionado - but the breadsticks made up for it.

I look forward to seeing what they do next year...

I wish I had heard about this sooner! The ides of a restaurant 'dressing up' for Halloween is fabulous.

Antonius

The last time I went to the Cape Cod Room, the waitstaff was so old that I was afraid one of them would keel over in to my plate of lobster.

It makes the patrons feel young. Ah, to be 70 again!

I think Irazu would be a great place to take him. PLUS, it's just down the street from Uprise Skateboard Shop at 1820 N. Milwaukee!

If he's from Springfield, you might also want to take him to get sushi or something he can't get in lovely Central Illinois (I'm from Champaign so I'm not being disrespectful). Better yet, you could always ask him what he'd like to try. Have fun!

Schatz MacArthur wrote:Any suggestions for a hip-seeming place to bring my 15/16-ish year old nephew this Saturday? I will not likely have a car, but will have access to the blue line, so Wicker Park and thereabouts are likely targets. I'm not looking for anything fancy, but something that might appeal to a skateboarding, sometimes-green-haired, very nice kid from Springfield.

Schatz,

I asked my neighbor's son, a skateboard enthusiast, for suggestions. He said Twisted Spoke on Clark for lunch, then walk 1/2 block South to Windward Skate Board shop to browse. If the weather is nice he suggests your nephew bring his board and go over to the Skate Park at Wilson and Lakeshore Drive.

Enjoy,
Gary

Twisted Spoke
3365 N Clark St
Chicago, IL
773-525-5300

Windward Sports
3317 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60657
773-472-6868

Wilson Skate Park
4800 N Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL

I lived on at the WP 6-corner for years (recently moved), my non-city family always comes for visits. For my teen and kid family members, these restaurants have always been hits.

Piece- My 13-yr old niece was talking about the clam pizza for months. The "Real World" Chicago worked there.
Handlebar- Go during the day or early evening. Fun bike-messenger hangout. Decent bar food.
Sultan's Market- Treat the kid to his first falafel. My 13-yr old niece also thought this was great.
Earwax- I don't hang out here anymore, but I agree with the board that a 15-yr old may enjoy the scene. A classic.
Filter- Another place I do not frequent but I always see high school aged city kids hanging out here.

Take him to Reckless Records and Quimby's for "dessert".

Felicevita wrote:I lived on at the WP 6-corner for years (recently moved), my non-city family always comes for visits. For my teen and kid family members, these restaurants have always been hits.

Piece- My 13-yr old niece was talking about the clam pizza for months. The "Real World" Chicago worked there.
Handlebar- Go during the day or early evening. Fun bike-messenger hangout. Decent bar food.
Sultan's Market- Treat the kid to his first falafel. My 13-yr old niece also thought this was great.
Earwax- I don't hang out here anymore, but I agree with the board that a 15-yr old may enjoy the scene. A classic.
Filter- Another place I do not frequent but I always see high school aged city kids hanging out here.

Take him to Reckless Records and Quimby's for "dessert".

I'll second Handlebar, but wouldn't quite describe the menu as traditional bar food. I'm too much of a fan of the Black Beans Maduro entree to venture past it, but have heard good things about other options as well.

Zee

If they like skate boarding Irazu is near Uprise skate shop. Get off at western head towards Damen on Milwaukee it's right past Irazu about a half block down on your right. See if they're interested in Irazu if not head to Damen and check it out try Piece,Santullo's,Northside Cafe,Sultan's market,Silver Cloud, Under dog,Ear Wax.etc. They also like Reckless Records.Just let them pick it out. This way if they don't like it you could always say they Picked it.Smart thinking HuH!

Thanks for all the great suggestions! Sadly, the nephew was on meds that make him entirely lose his appetite until well into the evening, so no lunch for us. We walked all over Wicker Park and I think he enjoyed watching all of the comings and goings. He seemed quite taken by a band playing on the sidewalk on Milwaukee, and is now convinced that such would be a good way for him to make a living. He also bought something at Reckless, but other than that, I've got to say Mr. Surly Teenager did his best to appear disinterested in the entire day. I increased my own enjoyment of the day by stopping at Sweet Thang for a pastry. It wasn't great, but it was sweeter than the nephew's demeanor for the most part! Thanks again for all the suggestions. I have 12 nieces and nephews, and hope to try them out on the next visitor!