Post-graduation dinner in Rosemont

I've recently come under pressure from my father to find a place to dine after my June graduation from DePaul University, and as this forum has been an invaluable source of culinary wisdom, I figured this would be my best bet.

I used the search function but was unable to find anything suitable for what I'm seeking. Specifically, I need to find a dinner spot in or near Rosemont (Allstate Arena) for a group of 5-10 people with good food and reasonable prices. The dinner will be in the early evening/late afternoon depending on how long the ceremony goes. The group will range in age from 22 to 87, so nothing child-appropriate is required. As far as type of cuisine, I'm not particular. It'll be impossible to please everyone in this group, anyway.

None of us know the area around the Allstate Arena particularly well, so the only ideas that have been thrown around were places like Chili's (which none of us would prefer) and Maggiano's (which I wouldn't prefer). Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I enjoy the east coast style Italian Food at Basilico. It's a fairly informal place located not too far from the Arena. Entrees there are a very reasonable $12-$25.

http://www.basilico.net/menu/layout?id=3

If you're looking for something a bit higher end, both Morton's and Gibson's have restaurants located just off River Road. Both are highly recommended for a celebratory dinner though you can easily spend $100 ++ per person in each of those places. Gibson's is my preference of the two. Each place serves an ala carte menu with steaks running $25-$80 and sides being priced at $5-$9.

http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/
http://www.mortons.com/

Gianotti's Steakhouse is another Italian Steakhouse just off River Road specializing in steaks and red sauce Italian. It's good. But, from a price perspective the cost is similar to that of Gibsons which, in my opinion, is far superior.

http://www.vicgiannotti.com/


There is also an outpost of Harry Caray's in the Holiday Inn at Higgins and Mannheim. I have not had anything more than bar snacks there, so i cannot attest to the quality of dinner there.

http://www.harrycarays.com/restaurants_rosemont.html

Finally, the Rosewood is the kind of place I'd take my folks if they were visiting from out of town. It has a country club type, dark paneled dining room, and a menu featuring a nice variety of American steaks, chicken and seafood. Their seared tuna is one terrific dish that could hold it's own at ant restaurant in Chicago. The Rosewood is located on Higgins near River Road.

http://www.rosewoodrestaurant.com/

As an aside, I really do warn against the Rosemont location of Carlucci. I've just had too many sub-par meals there to ever endorse it to anyone.

Congratulations of your big day. Hopefully, this will give you a good, diverse beginnning to find a nice place for dinner for you and your family.

Will has given you a great list. Also, very close to the Allstate Arena, is Cafe La Cave, a very old-school French/Continental restaurant. Might be toward the top end of your budget, but you can check the menu online and decide for yourself.

Cafe La Cave
2777 Mannheim Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60018-3602
847-827-7818

nr706 wrote:Cafe La Cave, a very old-school French/Continental restaurant. Might be toward the top end of your budget

Cafe La Cave
2777 Mannheim Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60018-3602
847-827-7818

I will say that I had a very fine meal when I was at Cafe La Cave, but it is not in what I would ever call the reasonable price range, it is definately in the expensive range. However, if you can get the "payor" to agree to it, I don't know of much better in the area. Also, one of the more interesting seating areas as well, with the faux cave walls. Although with a larger group they may not sit you in that area, but in the more "Palace of Versailles" look room.

I had an outstanding dinner at Harry Carray's Rosemont around Christmas. Gorgeous arugala salad, handmade tagliatelle and a good filet, perfectly cooked.

They take reservations via OpenTable, which is handy.

Thanks, everyone, for the responses. It's definitely given me a few options to send off to my dad. And for sure, it's worlds better than any Applebee's or other cardboard-flavored chains nearby.

Black Ram Steakhouse is in Des Plaines, about five minutes or so away (ten if you hit every traffic light turning red). All of the food there is absolutely GREAT - the steaks, the seafood, the desserts (the banana bavarian cream is to die for), everything. The service is consistently friendly and helpful. And it's nowhere near as expensive as the big-name steakhouses. It doesn't get a lot of press, but it gets a lot of repeat business. The owner greets lots of arriving guests by name. (Yup, it's not a chain, and he uses some family recipes.) If you're looking for a great steakhouse (and seafood) restaurant that nobody ever heard of, this is it.

Black Ram Steak House
1414 Oakton St.
Des Plaines, IL 60019
847.824.1227

The suggestions of Gibsons, and Mortons are very good for that area good food, but at a high price. I find them worth it though.

Black Ram..., I'm not a fan, quite a step down in quality of food, and service. I have had some overcooked, tough steaks there, and the seafood is average as well. Service can be spotty, you are better off sticking with Morton's, or Gibsons.

Also I am not a fan of the Harry Caray restaurants. Perhaps its the South Sider in me.

nsxtasy wrote:Black Ram Steakhouse is in Des Plaines, about five minutes or so away (ten if you hit every traffic light turning red). All of the food there is absolutely GREAT - the steaks, the seafood, the desserts (the banana bavarian cream is to die for), everything. And it's nowhere near as expensive as the big-name steakhouses. It doesn't get a lot of press, but it gets a lot of repeat business. The owner greets lots of arriving guests by name. If you're looking for a great steakhouse (and seafood) restaurant that nobody ever heard of, this is it.

Black Ram Steak House
1414 Oakton St.
Des Plaines, IL 60019
847.824.1227

This would be suggestion. I eat there most often when entertaining in the area. Lots of large tables, a comfortable bar and pretty satisfactory food.

For steaks as so many have suggested I have recently come to the conclusion that Harry Carrays is my favorite of the bunch and it is slightly more affordable than the other options though all of them are business only for me.