quiet friday lunch, easy parking, close to the loop

Okay tomorrow I have a lunch business meeting. Looking for something in the west loop, Greektown, Chinatown, or Pilsen (other ideas welcome) where the food is good and the sound level muted and I don't have to worry that I'm lingering while people wait (on or in) line for my table. Will be driving there--don't want parking to be a hassle.
All suggestions welcome. Thanks.

Well you've pretty much described Greektown - almost all the GT restaurants provide free valet parking and I've never felt pressured at all on table turnover. Based upon your requirements I'd suggest Santorini on the NW corner of Adams and Halsted (valet and entrance on the Adams side). With our current weather Santorini is especially nice with their fireplace providing that "glow". I'd further suggest appetizers of charcoal-grilled octopus, taramosalata, and - if your guests are "newbies" to Greektown some saganaki. Mains are all good but I suggest the whole black sea bass or red snapper, dressed at the table.

I think Kman's recommendation of Santorini is an excellent one.

I'll mention another possibility, though this may be too casual and the menu and tables too small for your purposes. A few weeks ago I had a 2 hour working lunch at Mi Cafetal in Pilsen, with just one other person. We weren't rushed at all, the food was very good, and it's a very quiet place. But -- it's a small cafe, not a full restaurant, most of the tables are for two people, and it has only a few food options. If you and your colleague are in the mood for tortilla soup and/or tamales and/or a roast pork torta, you might consider it.

Oh, and I had no problem finding a parking space on that block. (Pick up a dessert at Bombon across the street afterwards!)

Mi Cafetal
1519 West 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 738-2883

Wishbone might be a nice choice. I wouldn't exactly call it quiet, but I've always found it easy enough to hold a conversation there and I have a hearing deficit. Likewise they're usually busy but I've never felt rushed. It's easy to find street (meter) parking nearby.

Or, for something competely different, Manny's Deli. Not really quiet, but I've never had trouble hearing my tablemates there. The down-scale, cafeteria thing might not be what you want for a business lunch but, again, parking not a big problem and it's convenient to the loop.

And, in a nod to the bizarre, this note from Manny's web site: "Manny's Now Has Wireless Internet available throughout the entire dining area."

In both cases, real good food and real Chicago experiences.

Wishbone
1001 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago
312-850-2663

Manny's Coffee Shop and Deli
1141 S. Jefferson Street (just north of Roosevelt Rd.)
Chicago
312-939-2855

We often take clients to Mart Anthony on Randolph west of Halsted. I can't remember the cross street, but it's across from Oprah's studios. The food is basic Italian-American, but very well executed. The staff there is friendly, and the room is not loud.

Had a business meeting with a vendor there last year, and it was just perfect for talking business, not to mention comforting on a cold day not entirely unlike what tomorrow promises to be.

Ina's Kitchen
1235 W. Randolph
312.226.8227

http://www.breakfastqueen.com/

maureencd wrote:We often take clients to Mart Anthony on Randolph west of Halsted. I can't remember the cross street, but it's across from Oprah's studios. The food is basic Italian-American, but very well executed. The staff there is friendly, and the room is not loud.

I haven't been to Mart Anthony in a while; always enjoyed it (just order one of the specials off the chalkboard) with one lone exception - one of the waiters simply BATHES in Right Guard. It's so overpowering that when you see him headed to your table you need to inhale so you can hold your breath until he's gone.

BTW Mart Anthony is on 155 N. Aberdeen. There's a valet and as maureencd states the staff is very friendly, both in the dining rom and the bar. Hmmm, I need a destination for lunch today, maybe it's time to revisit MA.

Thanks everyone. I took Kman's first suggestion and we went to Santorini. It worked very well and the pan fried squid were just about perfect, although I still found myself envying my guest's orange roughy in a tomato based sauce. Mart Anthony and Mi Cafetel are new to me--I look forward to trying them another time.

After 10 years of saying I'm going to go to Mart Anthony, I finally went last night, only to find it closed and gone. But the good news is, they say they are reopening in Fall 2005 at 1232 West Washington. We will see. I remember when Marco said they were reopening, and it became something totally different unfortunately.

quickquestion wrote:After 10 years of saying I'm going to go to Mart Anthony, I finally went last night, only to find it closed and gone. But the good news is, they say they are reopening in Fall 2005 at 1232 West Washington. We will see. I remember when Marco said they were reopening, and it became something totally different unfortunately.

I'm sad to hear that Mart Anthony has closed. I have fond memories of dining there and hope they do reopen.