I am supposed to provide a list....

My bf has requested that I provide a list for possible restaurant selection for our anniversary dinner (he picks from the list and "surprises" me)...I hate this task...I need the help of lth...

parameters...in the city...open Mondays....nothing in the echelon of Moto, L20 or Alinea ...but more of a "traditional" dining experience then say ...Urban Belly...I was thinking Naha, blackbird type or even trying Farmarie 58...but, I get in such a rut (in as much as I can't think out of the box, so to speak) when given such a broad assignment...Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated...

Did you look through the list of Great Neighborhood Restaurants? Or the new nominees? You may have to doublecheck on the Reader's restaurant site, or Metromix, et al. to find out who's open on Mondays.

Thank you for the suggestion nr706...I always look to GNRs when i feel stumped on what to eat for dinner....While I have much love for Lao Sze Chuan, Kuma's, Hot Doug's, Spacca Napoli, Sticky Rice and the like...(while there are exceptions in the list) not exactly my idea great anniversary spots...

I would have also suggested Blackbird and Naha. Additional places to consider that are in the same league and open on Mondays:

Mercat a la Planxa
Bin 36
Custom House
David Burke's
Kiki's Bistro
Mon Ami Gabi
Nomi
Roy's
Sola
Sweets & Savories

You might want to go to OpenTable and search for tables on the day of your anniversary. That will quickly and easily give you some ideas of places that are definitely open on Mondays.

Also open on Mondays:

Bistro Campagne
Sepia
Crofton on Wells

I've had lovely meals at all three.

lola wrote:Thank you for the suggestion nr706...I always look to GNRs when i feel stumped on what to eat for dinner....While I have much love for Lao Sze Chuan, Kuma's, Hot Doug's, Spacca Napoli, Sticky Rice and the like...(while there are exceptions in the list) not exactly my idea great anniversary spots...

**sigh**
Well, Lola, I'm sorry to tell you that "we" could never be.
I'm sure you are really sad about that.
Just kidding.
Good luck finding a place!

what's that one that gwiv and his crew like... sabatinos:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=3719

haven't tried it but from his pics looks like they have strolling minstrels

Thank you all for your suggestions (and good humor)...I maybe should have disclosed that the list could not include Takashi Avec Schwa The Bristol Graham Elliott Agre Doux Powerhouse Mon Ami Gabi Mirai Sushi Sushi Wabi Duchamp Chalkboard Otom or Mercat a la Planxa as we have recently consumed the goods at these locations (within the past 6 months or so) ...So, in case anyone is interested, here is the list I am submitting for anniversary dinner consideration Naha Marigold Nomi Blackbird Custom House Spring Farmarie 58 Sweets and Savories Sola May Street Market David Burkes Old Town Brasserie...I promise to let you know what wins out and to do my best to chronicle what I see, feel, taste, touch and hear that night...

lola wrote:...I promise . . . to do my best to chronicle what I see, feel, taste, touch and hear that night...

At the dinner table only, I assume. . .

Boka?

gus wrote:

lola wrote:...I promise . . . to do my best to chronicle what I see, feel, taste, touch and hear that night...

At the dinner table only, I assume. . .

Ahem...excuse me...yes, at the dinner table...

DMChicago wrote:Boka?

I completely forgot about Boka...I'll add it to the list...I also added Piccalo Songo

lola wrote:here is the list I am submitting for anniversary dinner consideration Naha Marigold Nomi Blackbird Custom House Spring Farmarie 58 Sweets and Savories Sola May Street Market David Burkes Old Town Brasserie...I promise to let you know what wins out and to do my best to chronicle what I see, feel, taste, touch and hear that night...

I always want French food on romantic special occasions, but Old Town Brasserie is too much of a crush to be romantic. NoMi is excellent in food and atmosphere, but may be pricier than you have in mind. More affordable possibilities might be Bistro 110 (but both of you must eat the garlic!), Cyrano's, La Sardine or Le Bouchon. Another place I consider highly appropriate for an anniversary would be Pane Caldo, which is sort of Italo-French.

Bistro 110
312/266-3110 http://www.bistro110restaurant.com
110 E. Pearson St., Chicago

Cyrano's Bistrot & Wine Bar
312/467-0546 http://www.cyranosbistrot.com
546 N. Wells St., Chicago

La Sardine
312/421-2800 http://www.lasardine.com
111 N. Carpenter St., Chicago

Le Bouchon
773/862-6600 http://www.lebouchonofchicago.com
1958 N. Damen Ave., Chicago

Pane Caldo
312/649-0055 http://pane-caldo.com
72 E. Walton St., Chicago

I haven't been there but it is definitely on my list. It seems like it might be apprpriate for the occasion.

http://www.tallulahchicago.com/

Don't forget to look at the CLOSED ON... thread posted here to make sure you don't pick a restaurant normally closed on Mondays.

Sorry about the Tallulah rec.....I forgot about the "open Monday" limitation.

gus wrote:

lola wrote:...I promise . . . to do my best to chronicle what I see, feel, taste, touch and hear that night...

At the dinner table only, I assume. . .

After working in restaurants for several years, I can assure you, that "at the dinner table only" means NOTHING.
Especially at the nicer places.

I assume the comment meant we really don't need a detailed description of what happened after leaving the restaurant ...