Beyond Schwa: Other High-End BYOB places

Some friends from Washington, DC are visiting us in two weeks, and they asked us to try and get them reservations at Schwa with less than 2-weeks notice.

Ha ha ha.

So, what recommendations do you have for other high-end places that let you -- or encourage you -- to bring your own wine? (Our guests like doing that -- and the liquor laws in DC don't allow it.)

Thanks

Doug

Only thing I can think of is Think, on Western. It's not Schwa, and probably not even "high end", but the food is good, and they have no plans for a license.

Some people think Coast sushi on Damen is good (I'm not one of them), and it's byob.

It might be best to pick your restaurant, and call to inquire about the corkage fee. I think its safe to say that at high-end places there will be a fee, and bottles that they carry would not be welcome. The other thing is, it still is worth trying to call Schwa-if you already haven't.

basis wrote:Only thing I can think of is Think, on Western. It's not Schwa, and probably not even "high end", but the food is good, and they have no plans for a license.

Some people think Coast sushi on Damen is good (I'm not one of them), and it's byob.

Think's hip/casual bistro reputation far exceeds it's culinary reach. I've had both mediocre(a penchant for using roasted peppers in everything) food and abysmal service(being ignored among my dining companions...to the extent that their orders were taken and mine not even asked for). Having not dined at Schwa I hazard to guess they're in a different league that Think might only dream about.

Bon-Soiree, HB Home Bistro, maybe Barcello's, Fan Si Pan,

I'm not certain about this but I think many high end places will let you bring your own wine -- they'll just charge you a corkage fee.

I would think of several of the high end restaurants in town would be fine with you bringing in a good bottle of wine to share with their food.

Just figure out some places you'd like to bring them and see if they'll do the corkage fee...

Have fun!

Shannon

Christopher Gordon wrote:Think's hip/casual bistro reputation far exceeds it's culinary reach. I've had both mediocre(a penchant for using roasted peppers in everything) food and abysmal service(being ignored among my dining companions...to the extent that their orders were taken and mine not even asked for). Having not dined at Schwa I hazard to guess they're in a different league that Think might only dream about.

Clearly, Think has no pretentions of being Schwa. Now that you mention it, I noticed a lot of roasted peppers, too.

I'm amazed no one has mentioned Sweets and Savories. So I will suggest: Sweets and Savories. $10 corkage fee.

nicinchic wrote:Bon-Soiree, HB Home Bistro, maybe Barcello's, Fan Si Pan,

Isn't Fan Si Pan a casual counter-order Vietnamese-style spring roll place? Not exactly the high-end dining that the OP is looking for.

Best,
Michael

BYOB, kind of the level of Think (maybe a little more Italian, although Think has a bit of an Italian bent, too), maybe a half step below, but still not bad (note: others have disagreed re: that sentiment):

La Cucina di Donatella
2221 W. Howard St., Chicago
(773) 262-6533

Michael is right about Fan si pan, that's why I said maybe, the owner is a high end chef.

I have to disagree with the negative comments about Think. I've been going there since they opened and have never had a bad meal or bad service. If you have either, mention it and they will try very hard to fix it.

While I haven't tried Terragusto yet, I've heard a lot of good things about them. Obviously from the name, it's Italian.

All the best,
John

What about Terragusto?


Terragusto
1851 W. Addison St.
773-248-2777

Dorado on Foster and Oakley is one of my favorite BYOBs in the city. European-influenced Mexican in a casual atmosphere. Excellent seafood, especially the seared Ahi tostada appetizer with sprouts. I also like the guajillo cream pork tenderloin with roasted veggies and mashed sweet potatoes.

I second Terragusto and Dorado, though neither could be characterized as high end, they're still very good.

I believe Sweets & Savories has a $10 corkage fee - not bad, and the food is near the level of Schwa.

Ms.Paris wrote:I second Terragusto and Dorado, though neither could be characterized as high end, they're still very good.

I believe Sweets & Savories has a $10 corkage fee - not bad, and the food is near the level of Schwa.

Sweets and Savories is BYOB?

This, I wasn't aware of...

Christopher Gordon wrote:

Ms.Paris wrote:I second Terragusto and Dorado, though neither could be characterized as high end, they're still very good.

I believe Sweets & Savories has a $10 corkage fee - not bad, and the food is near the level of Schwa.

Sweets and Savories is BYOB?

This, I wasn't aware of...

I swear we go over this every single time "favorite BYOB" restaurants come up:

Practically every restaurant is BYOB, even if they serve their own. It's just a matter of how friendly their corkage policy is.

Best,
Michael

First, re: Schwa -- if it doesn't matter which night you go, you can always call and see if there were cancellations.

As for high-end BYOB, Restaurant Michael in Winnetka permits patrons to bring their own wine. I think the corkage fee is $10, but Tuesday is no-corkage-fee night.

Mondays are BYOB at this well-known high-end joint (otherwise, they have a massive wine list ...):

Carlos' Restaurant
429 Temple Ave.
Highland Park 60035
847-432-0770

eatchicago wrote:

Christopher Gordon wrote:

Ms.Paris wrote:I second Terragusto and Dorado, though neither could be characterized as high end, they're still very good.

I believe Sweets & Savories has a $10 corkage fee - not bad, and the food is near the level of Schwa.

Sweets and Savories is BYOB?

This, I wasn't aware of...

I swear we go over this every single time "favorite BYOB" restaurants come up:

Practically every restaurant is BYOB, even if they serve their own. It's just a matter of how friendly their corkage policy is.

Best,
Michael

rrrrrreow!

I merely posted because I had reservations for last Friday(and had to cancel...bah) and from my previous experience remembered a full bar and overpriced wine list...and certainly no mention when making that previous res. that they are BYOB.

I guess now I know better.

and... back on point:

here's a hearty second for Bonsoiree. their back patio was just opened 2 weeks ago. per previous discussion, Bonsoiree was mentioned in the same breath as Schwa. Certainly itàs not high-end, but there are many fans of Bonsoiree on the boards.