40th Birthday Dinner for 15 Women near Peninsula?

My wife is celebrating her 40th birthday next weekend with 14 of her closest girlfriends. She's staying at the Peninsula. She's looking for a restaurant not too far from there (walk or short cab ride), with a lively atmosphere. Not too picky on cuisine, but favorites include sushi, tapas, Italian, Mediterranean, Nuevo Latino. First choice was Japonais, but they're being difficult on reservation times. Any recommendations?

You might want to recommend DeLaCosta. It's a very short cab ride (near Navy Pier). I've eaten there once and I thought the food was pretty good.

There's also Carnivale, which I haven't tried but others here have. It's also a pretty short cab ride.

Cafe Iberico is always fun for groups. They would take a reservation for a group that size and they are not far from the Peninsula.

Cafe Iberico
737 N. LaSalle
312-573-1510
http://www.cafeiberico.com/

I'll second Carnivale. I've never been, but my sister LOVES that place. From what I hear, it's very celebratory. My sister has also had quite a few celebrity sightings there.

If you choose Iberico, make sure you are seated on the ground floor. The basement has the damp musty smell of - well - a basement. Does anyone else get heartburn from Iberico's sangria?

Unfortunately, Iberico does not take reservations for Friday or Saturday nights, no matter how big the group.

Quartino is great for large groups, because of the Italian "small plates" concept and the reasonably priced wines available in multiple sized carafes

Thanks for the suggestions. Upon further reflection, my wife is thinking about going off the board and away from Michigan Avenue, and instead booking the coach house at Mia Francesca on Clark, which is available for a flat rate. We've been semi-regulars at Francesca's since it opened in 1992 or so, and it's probably her single favorite restaurant. We've never done the family-style thing in the coach house, though. Any thoughts or experiences with that? (Long-time lurker, first-time poster, by the way -- this is a great site).

ParisCat wrote:We've never done the family-style thing in the coach house, though. Any thoughts or experiences with that? (Long-time lurker, first-time poster, by the way -- this is a great site).

I attended a rehearsal dinner in the Coach House--about six years ago now-- and it was very nice. If weather remains as it has been, it will be a lovely environment.

wow,those are some great recommendations from everyone!
mia francesca's[the first of 14 francesca restaurants]the coach house/courtyard is intimate and beautiful and the food is delicious.
eric eddie is the manager and he is gracious,professional and accomodating.they now have an second floor private room that jennifer aniston likes when she is in town.
re:the coach house;i recall on a night many years ago a soprano from one of the opera companies singing an aria to a couple celebrating their anniversary.