Dinner for 10 near michigan avenue

Hey all- I need some help- I need to arrange a mid priced dinner for 10 near Michigan Ave- here are the criteria- nothing too far out there (clearly moto is out of the price range but food is way too out there for folks), must have a decent vegetarian option, must be quiet enough for people to hear eachother- it can be a private room or not as long as folks can hear eachother.

Mid priced is kind of in the range of agrie doux, but I think agrie doux is going to be too loud during main service for these folks as well as being a little further than I'd like to send them.

I have used Merlo on Maple a few times for business dinners. They have a couple of different private rooms and reports are the food is good. (Part of the glory of my job is booking the dinners, but not actually attending...) The location is off Michigan Avenue, but more on the north end of Michigan.

Going the other direction on Michigan, I recently had an enjoyable dinner at Rhapsody. The menu included options for carnivores and vegetarians alike. In season items like fiddleheads made an appearance. Although I don't know for sure, but their wine room might be available for a small group. Otherwise, I didn't find the room that noisy.

Merlo on Maple
16 W. Maple
312-335-8200
http://www.merlochicago.com/index.html

Rhapsody
65 E. Adams
312-786-9911
http://www.rhapsodychicago.com/

Grand Lux Cafe:

http://www.grandluxcafe.com

has huge tables and booths which make a larger party seem almost private, an extensive menu with lots of vegetarian options, and a great view of Michigan Ave. People on the forums I frequent are typically more impressed with the appetizers (order a ton and share) than with the entrees, but I've always found the food and service to be very nice. It's not too expensive, especially if you go the small plates route, and I've found that their bartenders know how to make even the most obscure drinks.

600 North Michigan Ave., at Ontario above the Ann Taylor, Chicago
312-276-2500

I should also point out this famous, similar reply on the same topic:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=12566&highlight=lux

Post #4.

Thank you very much for the options- any chance I could get 3-4 more? I'm just looking for a few more to toss around.

Iberico! Spanish food means it's vaguely exotic but actually quite accessible, you can get reservations for large parties, and they have a couple of separate rooms if the main room is too noisy for you.

Cafe Iberico
739 N. LaSalle St.
312-573-1510

Cafe Spiaggia? Quiet, refined Italian, great views of Michigan Ave., and there is a semi-private dining room behind the bar.

Cafe Spiaggia
980 N. Michigan
(312) 280-2750

Heaven On Seven, Maggiano's and Big Bowl.

rickvaughn wrote:Heaven On Seven, Maggiano's and Big Bowl.

Sorry I forgot to specify- no sh** chains

I had an exceptional dinner for 13 at Allen's recently. It may be a little farther from Michigan Avenue than you're hoping for (217 W. Huron), but I found the slight extra distance to be worth the trip. For what it's worth, my group walked comfortably from the Hotel Intercontinental -- it took about 20 minutes.

I don't know if this is a business dinner, but if so, Allen's is a great choice. You can call in advance and plan a group menu with their private dining staff. I was able to choose all my appetizers, entrees, and desserts ahead of time and according to my budget. They also let me choose the wine -- one white and one red -- so I could keep within my budget.

Everything was lovely from start to finish: We were greeted by Chef Allen personally; the menus were custom printed to welcome my visiting group by name; and the food was exquisite and varied. The server even quietly approached me as my alcohol bill reached our agreed-upon limit, just to see whether I wanted to continue with drinks (it was almost dessert, so I cut off the tab). My colleagues are still raving about this dinner, and it was back in late April.

Best of all, they have a wonderful room that's set aside from the rest of the main dining room, but not a sequestered banquet room. If you decide to go, be sure to ask for the "Square Room." It was lively but conversation-friendly.

I've hosted a lot of these things for visiting colleagues, and nothing's even come close to the quality and service I found at Allen's. Highly recommended for a group dinner.

Good luck,
Christy

Dusting off an old thread as I find myself looking for the same thing as the OP. I've got a board dinner next month, 10 or so people, private room preferred. Need to stay within reasonable distance of the Drake and less than $100pp. I have done some research but would love to get input from others.

Just a note that we are looking forward to you letting us know where you ended up going and how it worked out- as compared to jpschust who stiffed us.

scottsol wrote:Just a note that we are looking forward to you letting us know where you ended up going and how it worked out- as compared to jpschust who stiffed us.

lol, calling out a mod. classic

My first thought was Spiaggia, which is very close and could probably accommodate your room request but it would be difficult to keep it to $100 pp. I've never been to Cafe Spiaggia but it might be more inline with your price point. Bonus: current Spiaggia chef Joe Flamm is the most recent Top Chef winner (which might impress out of town people).

Years ago, I had a corporate dinner at Cafe Spiaggia. Views aren't as good as Spiaggia, but food was very good, and probably still fits your price range. Also, probably okay for less adventurous eaters.

For the right crowd, Harry Casey's 7th Inning Stretch at the top of Water Tower Place might be fun. Far from the best or most interesting food in the neighborhood, but they do have a private room and The Chicago Sports Museum is right next door.

Newer options: Marisol, Free Rein, Pacific Standard Time, Somerset

Not sure about private rooms, but I've had good luck with larger groups at Nico, and the food is still outstanding (was just there with a large, family group in the last couple of months).

Just this weekend we had a stunning dinner in the wine room at Remington,
On Michigan ave.
The food was fabulous, wine was reasonable, service was great.
We were 14, (a tiny bit tight, but doable)
it would be perfect for 10.
Gorgeous space.
Can't recommend them highly enough
Everything I tasted was spot-on
apps included lobster deviled eggs, crab toast, tempura shrimp.
My entree was a dry-aged strip , with roasted brussels- perfect mid-rare.
We had Hitching post pinot with it.
I'd go back in a heart beat.
http://remingtonschicago.com/#gallery

BR wrote:Not sure about private rooms, but I've had good luck with larger groups at Nico, and the food is still outstanding (was just there with a large, family group in the last couple of months).

Not sure if you heard, but just within the past three weeks or so Nico's head chef (Bill Montagne) moved to San Francisco and One Off Hospitality announced they are ending their relationship with Nico Osteria. Not sure what impact this will have on the quality (or even variety) of cuisine Nico will be offering going forward. It had been among my favorite venues of late, but personally am taking a wait-and-see approach for now since the recent changes are rather dramatic.

Smassey wrote:Newer options: Marisol, Free Rein, Pacific Standard Time, Somerset

Ditto Somerset, nay to PST (great but loud).

Gonzo70 wrote:

BR wrote:Not sure about private rooms, but I've had good luck with larger groups at Nico, and the food is still outstanding (was just there with a large, family group in the last couple of months).

Not sure if you heard, but just within the past three weeks or so Nico's head chef (Bill Montagne) moved to San Francisco and One Off Hospitality announced they are ending their relationship with Nico Osteria. Not sure what impact this will have on the quality (or even variety) of cuisine Nico will be offering going forward. It had been among my favorite venues of late, but personally am taking a wait-and-see approach for now since the recent changes are rather dramatic.

I suspect if her dinner is now it should be okay.

This is one of my favorite places so I hope they can maintain with the departure of One Off Hospitality.

I would also suggest Mity Nice in Water Tower for this dinner and Marisol both should fit the bill.

Although it's fairly pedestrian (but good none the less), Capital Grille has the Library room that is outstanding for smallish groups. If that isn't available, I'd look elsewhere.

stoutisgoodfood wrote:Although it's fairly pedestrian (but good none the less), Capital Grille has the Library room that is outstanding for smallish groups. If that isn't available, I'd look elsewhere.

The Capital Grille is best enjoyed in a strange town when someone else is paying. If I'm in River North with a hundo in my pocket, there are better options for spending it.

scottsol wrote:Just a note that we are looking forward to you letting us know where you ended up going and how it worked out- as compared to jpschust who stiffed us.

Thanks for all the feedback. The dinner was held at the Beatrix in Streeterville. Their private room was a perfect size and Lettuce Entertain You is really easy to work with for these types of events. There was also the added enticement of adding to my LEYE frequent diner account. Beatrix private dining is usually done family style, but our group is not a fan. We did family style starters and dessert with a choice of plated entrees. I didn't get any complaints so I'm happy.