Dinner for small group near B.L.U.E.S Bar

I have a friend who is coming in from our of town. He wants to go to the B.L.U.E.S Bar at 2519 N Halsted. We are planning on meeting with a small group at my apartment (The Mag. Mile Area) and going over to the N. Halsted area. What good restaurants are there in that neighborhood (or easily accessible between my place and the bar)? We like to eat anything, so all cuisine is open. Also, are there any other bars (blue or not) in that general neighborhood that we can go to afterwards?

Thanks.

gate_pourri wrote: Also, are there any other bars (blue or not) in that general neighborhood that we can go to afterwards?

Now, that's funny!

I hope you get out of the Mag Mile a little bit. It's not like B.L.U.E.S. is in an out of the way area! Let's just say that it will be harder to find a place that isn't a bar or restaurant than the other way around.

But maybe you could let us know what kind of food and how much you all would be willing to spend. LP has too many options (most not great) to list here without knowing more detail.

Rose Angelis is an Italian place a little west of there on Wrightwood. The duck tortelloni is excellent. To start, they also have some special salads that are good for a small group.

Rose Angelis
1314 W Wrightwood Ave
(773) 296-0081

Raj Darbar (Indian) and Fattoush (Middle Eastern) have also been mentioned on this board.

Raj Darbar Indian Restaurant
2660 N Halsted St
(773) 348-1010

Fattoush Restaurant
2652 N Halsted St
(773) 327-2652

There's Merlo on Lincoln for very good Italian. Itto Sushi is just down the block. Select Cuts Steak House is just north and has a good hamburger. Erwin, of course, is just north on Halsted. Duke of Perth on Clark for good fish and chips with a Belhaven Wee Heavy Ale.

Afterward you could stop at Wiener's Circle on Clark for a hot dog and some abuse. And Yak-Zies on Diversey has a 4 a.m. license where you can hammer away until nearly dawn.

Choey is right on all counts, I especially like Merlot and Fattoush. Other options within easy walking distance include:Sapporo, a nice Italian bistro down Halstead; P.S. Bangcok, this is a good but pretty standard American-Thai place almost next door; Fiesta Mexicana for better than average neighborhood Mexican food (including good red snapper and sopa de mariscos on weekends); Red Lion, for decent English pub fare , trifles and Guinness on tap and Lou Malnottis on Wrightwood for Pizza.

chitrader wrote:I hope you get out of the Mag Mile a little bit. It's not like B.L.U.E.S. is in an out of the way area! Let's just say that it will be harder to find a place that isn't a bar or restaurant than the other way around.

But maybe you could let us know what kind of food and how much you all would be willing to spend. LP has too many options (most not great) to list here without knowing more detail.

Yeah. I am a bit embarressed by this post. I have only lived in the city about a year and tend to spend my time in either the mag mile or wrigleyville. Spent very little time in LP.

We are a group of late-20-somethings. As far as I know, the group likes anything and price isn't terribly important, but nothing too expensive. Maybe about $20 for entree.

I would say, the only criteria is something fun.

I would look at tapas for a group. In the LP, your choices are Emilio's and Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba. At Emilio's the atmosphere may not be as festive as Cafe Babareeba, but the food is better.


Emilio's Tapas
444 W. Fullerton
Chicago, IL 60614
773.327.5100

Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
2024 N Halsted St
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 935-5000

I concur with the Duke of Perth call. All you can eat fish and chips on Fridays. Great scotch and beer selections. A tavern like atmosphere with great food.

Duke of Perth
2913 N. Clark St.
Chicago
773-477-1741

I respectfully disagree with the suggestion of Rose Angeli's. I have to note, also, that I'm in the minority in this regard in my friend group. To me, its always been a place where there are a lot of 'first dates' going on, which wouldn't be that suitable for a large group of friends getting together. The atmosphere is cute enough, but the food was just sort of eh? It seems reasonable for what you get, but that counterbalanced with the sort of blandness of the food (I thought the duck tortelloni was mushy and tasteless) and the atrocious service we had there - it made me really not want to return.

That being said, as a twenty something who frequently dines out in groups, I would concur with the tapas suggestions. I've not personally been to Emilio's but have repeatedly heard fantastic things and for the most part, have really enjoyed my meals at Cafe Babareeba. Tapas is also a good option, because when all is said and done, its fairly inexpensive for a group.

Emilio's is good, but extraordinarily over priced.

I like the Sappori suggestion upthread. I've often gone in groups and they do a great job. Certainly not the most authentic Italian in the City, but very good food nonetheless.