"Cool" Restaurant in Nondowntown

Can you recommend a relatively "cool" restaurant that isn't very touristy? Maybe in one of non-downtown areas? It's for about 10 people in early August.

From a partner of mine from New York. Lives in Manhattan

4 Taste comes to mind as "cool" but also very good food and fairly non-touristy (at least when I have been there the crowd has been very much Chicago residents).

Others might be:

160 Blue, Opera, Marche (and the rest of that group's restaurants), MK (not sure how it rates on the cool scale however), Zealous (though might be priced to high - though compared to NYC the prices might be downright reasonable - and go during the week for the Dim Sum perhaps?)

(note to Gary - not suggesting "jin ju" )

Couple other options:

Souk (middle eastern-based with live belly dancer and music on the weekends) or Cafe Absinthe (hip french joint) in Wicker Park, Ixcapuzulco in Logan Square, Redlight on Randolph...

I'm actually really looking for something newer - Opera might be an option, but I've heard mixed things. Avec was the first place that came to mind, but I'm sure they don't want to wait for a table.

What about Moto, or is that too ridiculous?
I guess we need a definition of "cool."

If by "cool" you mean "hip" then I think Opera is an excellent choice. I've had nothing but great experiences in my 3 visits there. Excellent food, great service. The room is hip and a little loud, but not annoying.

I highly recommend the Peking Duck Triple Preparation, Crispy Whole Hunan Snapper, and the simple but delicious Chicken with White Trumpet Mushrooms.

eatchicago wrote:If by "cool" you mean "hip" then I think Opera is an excellent choice. I've had nothing but great experiences in my 3 visits there. Excellent food, great service. The room is hip and a little loud, but not annoying.

I highly recommend the Peking Duck Triple Preparation, Crispy Whole Hunan Snapper, and the simple but delicious Chicken with White Trumpet Mushrooms.

the pork tenderloin was also surprisingly good, and one of my companions really liked her vegan entree (which I can no longer remember).

the chile peanuts on the table are also utterly wonderful. I wanted to sneak the container of them into my friend's purse.

-ed

What about Foillia? From mannequins in the windows to the fresh mozzarella, it may fit the bill...

Follia
935 W. Fulton
(312) 243-2888

That actually was my second suggestion behind Avec. The other two that I gave him were Japonais and Naha.

Yes, Avec is wonderful but the fact that they don't take reservations could be troublesome.

What about Green Zebra? It's a few months old and the initial reviews and feedback on the place seem quite strong. Who says that veggies can't be cool?!?!

I thought about that, but I think it's going to be a group of men, 50 something, lawyer men, so I think that it wouldn't be the best suggestion.

Point taken.

Vermillion