Birthday Options

I was hoping to get a strong recommendation for a good place to take my husband for his birthday. We don't get out often to the restaurants in the city since it's a long drive downtown and back from the western suburbs, once you factor in the commute, need to park, and the like. I'd like to arrange something special for his birthday though, going to a place that is really top flight without hopefully costing us $300 for two!

Relying on the experience of the LTH forum goers, I'd like to know:

* Are there any superb sushi places which are absolutely "do not miss?" He's extremely fond of sushi and has developed a discerning appreciation for it.

* I'd considered a prix fixe menu, such as would be offered at Alinea or Vie. Again, helps keeps prices a little more manageable. Are there any exceptional restaurants that offer a great fixed price menu worth taking a look at? I heard Vie offered them, but I haven't seen evidence of that on their website. Another option floated by a friend was Everest, but I really would like somewhere that has a superb dining experience and more than just the ordinary.

If it matters, he's fond of Japanese cuisine, fusion, European (Italian and French particularly), and does not particularly enjoy Indian or Thai sadly.

This is really our first foray this year into fantastic Chicago dining, aside from restaurant week coming up (where we're going to Aigre Doux after much consideration between all the excellent options). Therefore, I'd really like to make it something special. Thanks for the help!

A do not miss sushi place: Agami Incredibly fresh fish, make sure to try the signature nigiri with fresh grated wasabi. Among the numerous appetizers, I always get the spicy tuna rice crispy. The standout roll for me is the Ocean Drive. Great list of sakes.

An exceptional restaurant at a reasonable price would be Old Town Brasserie. High end French at mid level prices. The food is excellent, but the restaurant does get crowded and the tables are quite close together. Not a place for a quiet evening.

Everest is anything but ordinary. It is my favorite splurge restaurant in the city. Terrific food, service, wine list and view.

For fusion cuisine, I would recommend Le Lan. French Vietnamese in the best sense of both cuisines. Complex food at reasonable prices.

Agami
4712 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
773.506.1846

Old Town Brasserie
1209 N. Wells
Chicago, IL
312.943.3000

Everest
440 S. Lasalle St.
Chicago, IL
312.663.8920

Le Lan
749 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
312.280.9100

Too bad Heat isn't still open. That would have been perfect for your husband.

I think the closest thing we have to "can't miss" sushi here is either Katsu or Mirai. Sushi is just one thing here that really isn't up to the standards of someplace like NY.

Katsu
2649 W Peterson Ave
(773) 784-3383

Mirai
2020 W Division St
(773) 862-8500

FrankP wrote:Everest is anything but ordinary. It is my favorite splurge restaurant in the city. Terrific food, service, wine list and view.

I really love Everest. I've had some of the very best (foodwise) meals there, and the service is the best I've seen, bar none. And of course, the view from the 40th floor with the entire city spread out below is wonderful.

If the cost is a factor, you may want to go on the early side; 5:00/5:30 every night they're open except Fridays, they have a pre-theater special, three courses for $50. And they're one of the few restaurants downtown that offer free parking.

everestrestaurant.com

Everest's theater menu looks fabulous, but the sushi restaurant recommendations are splendid too. I haven't heard of Agami, it sounds like an excellent choice for sushi! Especially nigiri with fresh grated wasabi, oooh, that sounds good.

I have heard good things about both Katsu or Mirai, so I will take a glance over their menus (again, thank you so much for providing addresses, it means a great deal less searching around if I'm hunting for them on the day of the event).

This together with the other thread about birthday menus makes me glad I've got a few people with birthdays coming up!

Hi Lilya,

I would highly recommend Bonsoiree in Logan Square. They have a great prix fixe menu and they're BYOB, so you can bring your own wine, which helps to control costs. You can find their website here: http://www.bon-soiree.com/cafe/.

If you're shooting for a Saturday night, they do an "Underground dinner", which means you have to call them to make the reservation and find out what the menu is that night.

All the best,
John Danza

Lilya

If you have enough lead time and you can get a reservation for a window seat at NoMi I have really enjoyed the sushi there.
We have been able to eat pretty lavishly for around 100 a person and have always successfully incorporated sushi into our dinner, or more often brunch.

Aside from the view and the cuisine the location is superb for a little sight seeing and city strolling if you do not get into the city very frequently.

have seen some luke warm reviews here so I would check the current menu http://www.nomirestaurant.com/gallery/nomi/cuisine/menus.html to see if it pops for you and remember to ensure that you get a window table.


My best birthday meal ever was a 30 course affair at Alinea but that requires a pretty hefty time commitment.