Drinks, Eats and Second City?

I snagged two tickets to the 11pm Second City show on Saturday. I'm going with an old friend, and we're looking for a great meal and several great drinks before the show (in that order). Tratorria Dinotto is now closed, Las Pinatas is wretched and the reviews on La Fette are mixed. Suggestions are welcome. We want to stay within walking distance; we are each cabbing from home so that we can imbibe to our hearts' contents. Thanks.

Adobo Grill around the corner is where I always send people. Good food, great tableside guacamole and good margaritas

http://www.adobogrill.com/

Haven't been for a while, but I've always liked Trattoria Roma just down Wells St.

Trattoria Roma
1535 N. Wells
312 664 7907

Adobo Grill is a very good choice, as is Salpicon.

Best,
Michael

I can second Trattoria Roma for seemingly-authentic Italian bstro food; Adobo Grill is close/convenient, but I think Salpicon is better/less touristy for Mexican if you don't mind walking a few blocks.

Bistro Margot has its detractors, but I've always found it to be a reasonably good bet for French bistro food. It's been discussed here:

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... 0d74c0884f

I've been thoroughly underwhemled by Mizu - seems like the restaurant is all about the Yakitori as a differentiating gimmick, rather than a true attempt to serve up great food. It can be fun, though.

For Middle Eastern,, Old Jerusalem has been around seemingly forever (it was there when I lived in Old Town in the 70s and 80s), and was still reliable last time I was there - much more casual than the others, though.

Trattoria Roma
1535 N. Wells St

Salpicon
1252 N. Wells St

Bistrot Margot
1437 N. Wells St

Mizu Yakitori & Sushi Lounge
315 W. North

Old Jerusalem
1411 N. Wells St

I'm interested in Tratorria Roma. What are the dishes you order? I love Salpicon, but took the same friend there for her birthday a couple of months ago and had the chef's tasting menu. Mui rico! Adobo Grill is another possibility, although it's never been so good that I plan to have dinner there again. Bistro Margot falls into that same category for me. I think Adobo Grill's margaritas are pretty good though.

Trattoria Roma website

I think Topo Gigio is really good basic Italian...and a fun place for drinks as well.....

Lucca the bartender had been there for years and will take good care of you..

Topo Gigio
1516 N. Wells

>Topo Gigio…basic Italianl....Lucca the bartender….will take good care of you..

I will vouch for this. I went there this summer and my friend was late, so I sat at the bar and knocked off 3 martinis. He must have poured me doubles+ on each one, because I don’t remember a thing about the food. We then went to Second City.

Oh, I took public transportation there and got a ride home, so it worked out.

D.