Outdoor, view, atrium, patio, deck, boat or other?

Could anyone suggest a good place for a June Sunday 1pm-ish brunch for 40 to 60 people?

The way we are thinking, this is a Sunday in the heart of June. We need light and air. Flowers, trees or the lake would be great also.

We are looking for a spot that is a BIG step up from your typical banquet box with flock wallpaper, crystal chandeliers and paisley rug.

Can you think of anyplace that might have a deck (with a canopy or roof overhead or another room where we could run in case of bad weather) or patio or a big room with floor-to-ceiling windows or atrium ceiling? Or some kind of great view of the lakefront or some rolling meadows or something? Or if the food is indoors, maybe having an outdoor park or garden with benches something where we could walk around and socialize?

When I was little, we used to go to Plentywood Farm and the Wagon Wheel. Does anyone remember these places? I think fondly of them because I associate them with a plate of good home cooking (chicken with stuffing etc) followed by time to run around outside, playing in the sun. I can't say I've had that kind of experience lately.

If anyone has ever been to the Chicago Yacht Club, they have a wonderful dining room on Monroe Street. It has all of the above-- great view of the lake and harbor, floor-to-ceiling wrap-around windows etc. It is the best-kept secret in the city. But we are not members. Just mentioning in case you have been there and know what the gold-standard is.

We thought of the Odyssey or Sprit or Star of Chicago but the costs are just stunning for this size group.

The family reunion will be gathered mostly in the Evanston area but we have transportation and are willing to drive for the right place.

Any help is very much appreciated! --Joy, running out of time and ideas

It's not the Yacht Club, but consider the Meson Sabika in Naperville. A lovely old mansion set in beautiful grounds. The food was fine--pretty much Emilio's level-- which is good enough for me.

I'd second that, their patio is very neat and very relaxing but I suggest you check their times as either Saturday or Sunday, don't remember which, they do not serve until 4pm. Food is good and it's a great memorable place to go on a summer's evening!

The Morton Arboretum sounds like a perfect place.

You can get more information here.

Mark

Ann and LikestoEatOut, this would be great! But I just called them and they are already completely booked. What a great suggestion, though. Just what we are (still) looking for. Thank you!

--Joy, fighting down mounting panic.

Mark, another great idea. Another place completely booked. Yikes. Thank you though.

Well there is always the local Mexican joint.

--Joy, hoping for miracles at this point

How about the cafe at Lutz?

kafein, this is so charming and I would love to have that plate of eggs Benedict in front of me right now! Especially since it is lunchtime and I am slaving over a hot keyboard.

But Lutz is apparently CLOSED FOR REMODELING. They are scheduled to reopen in June or July, the woman said.

I am keeping a running list of these places for future forays, though. Thank you for this idea!

--Joy, now thinking eggs Benedict.

If you want to stick to Evanston, the Margarita Inn has a great rooftop space, with food coming from the kitchen of Va Pensiero. In case of rain, the lounge could work, but you wouldn't get the views.

Some thoughts.

Cafe Suron in Rogers Park, is a very pretty room that serves very good Mediterranean and Persian food. I have known them to rent the whole restaurant out for events. They could probably do a brunch for you. It is located only 50 yards from mile long Loyola Beach. Just down the street, there is a pier that you can stroll out on for a magnificent view of the city.

If you want to go the catered route, The chicago park district has some wonderful facilities you can rent. Berger Park is not far from Evanston. There you can rent the first floor of a prairie style mansion located right on the lake, by the hour. The only drawback, is you have to use one of their approved caterers.

The Evanston Historical Society will rent out rooms at the Dawes mansion including the porch.

Since you remember Plentywood Farm with more fondness than I do (as a kid I never liked having to dress up for the weekly family out-in-the-country dinners), how about The Milk Pail in East Dundee? They're still going strong with their Sunday Brunch, and they have all the nice little shops, gazebos and pathways.
>>Brent

I'm a huge fan of North Pond, with its stunning view of the city looming from a little pond in Lincoln Park. I don't know that they do outdoor seating, but they open the floor-to-ceiling windows on days with nice weather. I'm not sure how many people they can accommodate, and how much something like that would cost.

Nearby is Cafe Brauer where I've seen lots of fancy black tie events take place. Cafe Brauer, 2021 N. Stockton Drive, 312-742-2480.

If you want to be downtown, Riva on Navy Pier has great views of the lake.

Another idea is Bistro Campagne in Lincoln Square -- they have a really pretty enclosed patio area. Metromix has an update that says:
Update: Owners are adding a new seating option this June; look for a permanent brick structure fitted with reclaimed pine (recovered from a former home of Abe Lincoln), removable windows and temperature control for year-round usage (this will replace the tented space on the outdoor patio). There will still be alfresco seating available.

The enclosed patio reminds me of Cafe Ba-Ba-Ree-Ba (though they don't have brunch food) if you're not bothered by the LEYE themed restaurant thing.

Another thought,
The Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills used to have Sunday brunches in a huge tent on the grounds during the summer. I don't know if they still do that.
http://www.cuneomuseum.org

This may seem ordinary but I've done great parties at RIVA on Navy Pier. They have a couple of rooms that look right out onto the city and the lake and they've always done a great job for me from a service point of view. I'm not sure about their brunch options but I have to say that the Pier can just be sort of a fun, cheezy sort of place for early June.

I also know that there's a great back garden type space at (formerly) THYME, now TIMO. You might check that space out. It's charming and I don't know what the re-do was like in decorating but it would be hard to ruin that back yard area.

Wow what great ideas! Thank you all!

Anyone recently have brunch at any downtown hotel with a view?

I thought of Soundings Restaurant in Shedd Acquarium. It's a fancy fish place with the requisite floor-to-ceiling windows and a fabulous view. Sort of the Yacht Club without the membership fees. But they will only accomodate a group our size for lunch, no brunch, and only at 11 am. Who eats lunch at 11:00 am! Still, it's something to think about for a nice lunch for out-of-towners.

Bettise in Plaza del Lago is a possibility but low on "wow" factor. They seem easy to work with and that little courtyard in the Plaza might be fun in June.

brotine wrote:Since you remember Plentywood Farm with more fondness than I do (as a kid I never liked having to dress up for the weekly family out-in-the-country dinners), how about The Milk Pail in East Dundee? They're still going strong with their Sunday Brunch, and they have all the nice little shops, gazebos and pathways.
>>Brent

Went o the Milk Pail a few years ago, their Sunday brunch features a pretty good live jazz combo. They have a number of cutsey shops and outdoor walking trails. Exit I-90 at Elgin Rte 25 and they are just a mile or 2 north of the exit.

Does Smith & Wollensky do a brunch? They have a great patio on the river. What about the South Shore Yacht Club or the Belmont Yacht Club...I've only driven past them, but both have great locations on the lake!

How about along the Fox River in St. Charles or Geneva? Eric and Me has a fancy brunch. And it doesn't say so clearly on their website, but apparently Salerno's on the Fox has outside seating overlooking the river.
In Geneva, you can't beat the setting of The Mill Race Inn but it too may be already full.

And there's always White Fence Farm in Lemont.

If you're looking for lawns and lake views, have you considered the South Shore Country Club? You'd have to arrange special catering for the event, but I'm sure the people at the Parrot Cage would be happy oblige, if they haven't already booked a wedding or two for the date.

Here's a little bit more about them:

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/sear ... 2110.venue

Here's another suggestion, closer to Evanston: Chicago Botanic Garden

Mark

There's Galleria Marchetti, a nice outdoor party space in the West Loop, owned by the family that used to own the Como Inn.

It's a schlep, but another member of the Marchetti family owns Montefiori down in Lemont. Absolutely drop-dead stunning gardens. Some parts are currently under construction but others are open.

Carmichael's has a lovely outdoor courtyard. They're not regularly open at that time, but they do cater special events, so they'd probably accommodate you.

Same goes for Don Roth's.

If you're up for something more rustic, with country cooking and fun for the kids, there's Lamb's Farm.

Galleria Marchetti
312/563-0495
www.galleriamarchetti.com/home.html
825 W. Erie St.,
Chicago, IL 60622

Montefiori
630/257-6576
www.montefiori.com
11250 Archer Ave.
Lemont, IL 60532

Carmichael's Chicago Steak House
312/433-0025
www.carmichaelsteakhouse.com
1052 W. Monroe St.
Chicago, IL 60607

Don Roth's Blackhawk
847/537-5800
www.donroths.com
61 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Wheeling, IL 60090

Lamb's Farm
847/990-3797
http://www.lambsfarm.org/business/picnics.html
14245 W. Rockland Road (I-94 and Route 176)
Libertyville, IL 60048

LAZ wrote:If you're up for something more rustic, with country cooking and fun for the kids, there's Lamb's Farm.

I was thinking Lamb's Farm also. If there will be kids, this is a great choice. The place is really fun for kids and they will learn about people with developmental disabilities. There is also lots of artsy craftsy browsing for older folks. Moreover, your patronage will benefit a really great organization.