A couple hours in Lincoln Park -- Need dining inspiration!

I'm looking for inspiration for a casual dinner tonight:

I'm taking my son down to church this evening for a confirmation class event, near Fullerton and Lincoln. Anything outstanding, casual, interesting down near there? I don't want to go too far out of the area, as we've only got a couple hours while he's busy. Probably anything between Wrigley and the Loop would do.

My sister just moved in around there and there is definitely a lack of good places. However, we tried "Aladdin Cafe" and while it was a little pricey for my tastes ($10-12 a person with no waiter; you just order at a counter), it was pretty good and the portions were generous. Standard fare, falaffel, hummous etc. but be sure to try the "aladdin dip" which is a red pepper, walnuts, and pomegranate paste puree. It is different tasting and quite good. Stay away from the dolmathes. They were stuffed with only rice and as a result were quite bland. It is located just south of Fullerton on Lincoln (2269).

We had a pleasant meal a couple of weeks ago at O'Fame's (750 W. Webster Ave.), near Depaul. Basic Italian items with good thin-crust pizza. Nothing special (or very expensive) but dependable and worth a visit if you're in the area, and there is on-street dining if the weather's nice.

Altho I've never been, there's also an Emilio's Tapas nearby. For tapas, I prefer Cafe Iberico downtown on LaSalle, but Emilio's--on Clark and Fullerton--has the advantage of being much closer to you.

The Athenian Room in the 800 block of Webster (a little bit west of O'Fame) has been a favorite of many for its simple Greek food (Athenian chicken, gyros sandwiches, etc.) Also burgers. Food is tasty, inexpensive.

A few places in the general Fullerton/Lincoln area:

Bourgeois Pig - on Fullerton. A caf

Abraus wrote:However, we tried "Aladdin Cafe" and while it was a little pricey for my tastes ($10-12 a person with no waiter; you just order at a counter), it was pretty good and the portions were generous. Standard fare, falaffel, hummous etc. but be sure to try the "aladdin dip" which is a red pepper, walnuts, and pomegranate paste puree. It is different tasting and quite good. Stay away from the dolmathes. They were stuffed with only rice and as a result were quite bland.

I eat in this neighborhood with reasonable frequency because of Victory Gardens Theater, and I'd give Aladdin Falafel House a much better rating than this. The Aladdin appetizer is definitely addictive. I'm not a big fan of heavy, meat-filled Greek-style stuffed grape leaves, and find this more delicate version, lightly seasoned with mint and served chilled, to be very good. I also like the juicy, well-seasoned kefta kebabs, and "Syria dish," a flavorful casserole of lamb in tomato sauce, layered over eggplant in yogurt, topped with almonds, pine nuts and chopped parsley.

Aladdin Falafel House
773/871-7327
2269 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

Sorry I missed this by a few days, but I hope you took advantage of the weather. I am sure you could have strolled either way on Fullerton or Lincon and did a little grazing meal.

I might have also checked out the BYoB South American place nearby...with a bottle of wine.

However, my first choice on a nice evening would have been to head to Mary Market in Sam's or maybe one of the Binny's; perhaps Fox and Obel, packed a nice picinic and spent an hour or two on the lakefront people watching.

Wrong time of year to think only about dining indoor options.

ooooooh, and if you get the chance; chekc out the upstairs patio at Pegasus in greek town...though its a bit of a hike.


...perhaps for next week's class.

pd