Rec for Sunday Night Reservations

I know there are a ton of "I need a place for a birthday dinner" posts. But I really do. My Birthday is today and my family called and told me they want to take me out to dinner on my day off. I work at a restaurant. So naturally my day off is Sunday. Sunday night dinner. They figure since my life revolves around restaurants I should know where I want to eat. My mother is a very picky eater. While I work at a tasting restaurant I would never subject a tasting restaurant to accommodate my mother. She is chicken and fish only, no offal, no spicy, nothing too fatty, or strongly seasoned. I also have a ten year old brother. So ideally, a restaurant that I would really enjoy, that is open on Sundays. I can get a reservation with less than a weeks notice, with lots of options that my mother would approve of. And a ten year old can find food. (he however, will eat just about anything.)

Is there such a restaurant?

I respectfully suggest you might retitle the thread (use the "edit" button) "restaurant rec for Sunday night reservations?" or something similar, and get more interest and quicker results.

Given that you work at a restaurant (presumably one with a formal staff), my rec is to mix things up and go somewhere without reservations, like Lao Sze Chuan or Spring World in Chinatown (browse for candy at Ichiban, have a bubble tea if it's a nice night outside at the Joy Yee window), or introduce the fam to cemitas at Cemitas Puebla. Or why not Avec, which is typically quieter on Sundays (and has a kitchen open through 11 PM?)

Heather, it is *your* birthday. Screw what your mother wants - what do you want? And where?

Figure that out, let us know, and we'll probably have some advice.

Most restaurants are open for dinner on Sunday, so you shouldn't have much trouble finding one that's open, once you settle on what you want. If you'd like something a little high-end, Restaurant Michael in Winnetka is lovely. It's mostly very classic French food -- not spicy, and I can tell you the sea bass is outstanding, so that should keep your mother happy. I have enjoyed everything I've had there, and you can order outrageously rich, if you wish, but they do have lovely not-too-rich stuff, for mom.

Here's a thread on the restaurant: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=11089&p=264680&hilit=restaurant+michael+winnetka#p264680

It has the advantage of including a photo and post by David Hammond of the outrageous dessert that had me swooning on my last visit.

And despite being classic French, the prices are quite reasonable.

For something safe for the whole group, in the area (since I know where you live), the obvious choices have to include Jilly's (small, French-ish), Campagnola (sustainably Italianesque), Chef's Station (for a slight dose of funkiness), Stained Glass (get the flights), Oceanique (I think all the fish there have pedigrees), Quince (is there still a bit of Achatz in the air?), or maybe even Tapas Barcelona (I can imagine a ten-year-old loving watch the plates stack up).

Or, for something really special, I hear there's an okay hot dog joint at 802 Dempster. But don't quote me on that.

Jilly's Cafe
2614 Green Bay Rd.
Evanston

Campagnola
815 Chicago Ave
Evanston

Chef's Station
915 Davis St.
Evanston

The Stained Glass
1735 Benson Ave
Evanston

Oceanique
505 Main St.
Evanston

Quince
1625 Hinman
Evanston

Tapas Barcelona
1615 Chicago Ave
Evanston

Oceanique is not open on Sundays.

GNR Prairie Grass is open on Sundays...and you could also do brunch, if you can talk them into it.

Gioco.