Where To Go For Special Birthday Dinner

LTHers,

The husband will soon be celebrating one of those big birthdays. I would like to plan a special evening for the two of us and some restaurant suggestions would be very much appreciated. We live in the NW burbs, but I would most likely hire a limo for the evening, so location is secondary. I thought about Alinea or Trotter's, but while he appreciates good food, that's just not him. Also because he does a lot of fine dining for business, he's already been to Spiaggia, NoMi, Naha and most of the steakhouses. Vie and North Pond were places that popped into my mind, but I know I'm leaving a lot untapped.

Thanks for your help!

My ultimate man dinner is always Fogo de Chao.

Powerhouse

Just a thought on the fine dining side- what about the kitchen table at Tru?

I think both Vie and North Pond are great ideas. I think North Pond is particularly suitable for a special occasion, thanks to its exquisite location in the middle of Lincoln Park, facing its namesake pond with the city skyline looming over the opposite shore. And, of course, the food from award-nominated Chef Bruce Sherman is excellent, too. It's just an all-around special place in our city.

Another special place, in large part due to its location, is Everest. As you probably know, Everest is at the top (40th floor) of the Midwest Stock Exchange building, so the view out the window, with the entire city spread out below, is thrilling. And there too, the food, from Chef Jean Joho, is wonderful (among the best meals I've had), as is the exquisite service (best I've ever seen in a restaurant, bar none). It's not quite as experimental/leading-edge as Alinea and Trotter's (I'm guessing that's the aspect you think he would object to at the other two...?). It's more formal than Vie and North Pond (unlike those two, jackets are required for gentlemen) and it's a bit more expensive (unless you go for their pre-theater special, 3 courses for $50 at 5:00/5:30 every night they're open except Fridays).

Vie is very good as well, of course.

One other possibility, since you're in the northwest suburbs - have you considered Le Titi de Paris? It's still excellent, and it's out in your direction.

I think any of these would be an excellent place and appropriate for the occasion!

nsxtasy wrote:I think both Vie and North Pond are great ideas. I think North Pond is particularly suitable for a special occasion, thanks to its exquisite location in the middle of Lincoln Park, facing its namesake pond with the city skyline looming over the opposite shore. And, of course, the food from award-nominated Chef Bruce Sherman is excellent, too. It's just an all-around special place in our city.

Another special place, in large part due to its location, is Everest. As you probably know, Everest is at the top (40th floor) of the Midwest Stock Exchange building, so the view out the window, with the entire city spread out below, is thrilling. And there too, the food, from Chef Jean Joho, is wonderful (among the best meals I've had), as is the exquisite service (best I've ever seen in a restaurant, bar none). It's not quite as experimental/leading-edge as Alinea and Trotter's (I'm guessing that's the aspect you think he would object to at the other two...?). It's more formal than Vie and North Pond (unlike those two, jackets are required for gentlemen) and it's a bit more expensive (unless you go for their pre-theater special, 3 courses for $50 at 5:00/5:30 every night they're open except Fridays).

Vie is very good as well, of course.

One other possibility, since you're in the northwest suburbs - have you considered Le Titi de Paris? It's still excellent, and it's out in your direction.

I think any of these would be an excellent place and appropriate for the occasion!

Maybe the best reccomendations I've heard in a while...

Everest would be my top pick for your husband in the city and Le Titi de Paris is a perfect fit for the suburbs. What Pierre Pollin (original master chef) did for the place was amazing and it shows to this day under Chef Maddox.

nsxtasy...Thanks for your two cents on North Pond. We have never been there, but it seems like a lovely location and I've heard nothing but good things about Bruce Sherman's food. I've also heard the decor is wonderful. I do remember seeing some less than complimentary posts on this site about service. Any thoughts about that? We have been to both Le Titi and Everest, but neither for a while. I agree that Everest's views along with the incredible food make for a wonderful evening.

Kwe730 wrote:nsxtasy...Thanks for your two cents on North Pond. We have never been there, but it seems like a lovely location and I've heard nothing but good things about Bruce Sherman's food. I've also heard the decor is wonderful. I do remember seeing some less than complimentary posts on this site about service. Any thoughts about that?

I had dinner there in October and the service was fine - friendly and efficient, from the time we walked in and received a friendly greeting from the hostess who seated us, to the service we experienced from the waitstaff throughout the meal. No issues whatsoever.

The decor is very nice. I'm sure you're aware that before it was renovated as a restaurant, it served as the warming shelters for skaters on the pond. The front room has huge windows with a view of the pond and city skyline. We sat in the rear, without the view to the outside but with the view of the open kitchen, and enjoyed it, didn't feel that it was anything less than special.