Birthday Dinner @ Avec or Pops for Champagne...

A couple girlfriends and I are going out for our monthly Thursday dinner and since my birthday is on Wednesday, I get to choose the venue.

My first thought was Pops for Champagne since I haven't been since they relocated and I can think of nothing better than small plates, bubbles and stinky cheese! Second thought is Avec. I've only been once for an app and a glass of wine, and loved it. I would love to go again to actually sit down at a table and eat & drink a bit more. The idea of not being able to make a reservation makes me apprehensive, especially since I don't know what to expect on a Thursday at 7pm. I typically don't go anywhere without a reservation.

So basically what I'm looking for is a place that is:
*new (at least to me!)
*non-smoking
*fun, hip/modern atmosphere

***location, cuisine and price are pretty open

please help a very indecisive gemini!

I was at Avec last week on Thursday around 7:00 and we had a 10-15 minute wait for a party of 2. It seemed to pick up around 8:00 or so - maybe 20 people waiting outside at that time.

The food was great, with the exception of the red wine sausage which was a little bland for my taste. Otherwise we had the Chorizo stuffed mejool dates, hanger steak, and yellow beet bruschetta. The foccacia looked delicous but we were full by then.

And happy birthday fellow Gemini - mine's on the 24th.

thanks wak, happy b-day to you too.

come on people, help me out! everyone I've asked about avec says the food is great, but the service is horrific.

avec. consistantly interesting and more often than not excellent food. you're out for an evening, it's not like you have to dine and dash in an hr. if the service is slow, push them. the warm ciabatta with fantastic olive oil will keep you from starving. push them on that too, they tend to forget. well worth it though.

Have never really had a problem with the service at Avec-been there about 8 times-always great food. If its fairly nice outside, waiting for a table in front with a drink is good people watching.
Can't speak for Pops-its been many years. If the no-reservation thing is a deal-breaker-what about Bin Wine Cafe, Scylla, Hot Chocolate...

I love Avec, never had service issues. Haven't been to Pops since it moved.

Happy B-Day!

I was at Avec tonight. It was fantastic as usual.

I have been to Avec quite a few times recently and have yet to experience any service problems.

tortuga wrote:come on people, help me out! everyone I've asked about avec says the food is great, but the service is horrific.

To add another voice to the crowd:

Avec is one of my favorite restaurants in Chicago. I've eaten there no less than 6 times in the past 6 months. I've never experienced even the slightest moment of poor service.

Best,
Michael

thanks everyone.

Well the decision was sort of made for me yesterday since I received 2 tickets to the Made in the USA sparkling wine festival at Pops in June.

It will be Avec tonight.