Something Fancy (not Alinea $$) to take my Lady for Birthday

I've browsed here for a long time, first time poster, and I'm stuck in terms of restaurant reservations, not for lack of options. Places we've been to and thoroughly enjoyed: Blackbird, 160 Blue, Spring, Naha, Aigre Doux, Schwa, and Bonsoiree.

What's another restaurant and price range (under $300 for two with wine) that will knock our socks off?

I promise my next post will be informative not just another restaurant question.

Have you been to Bank Lane Bistro in Lake Forest? It could be a fun birthday outing -- take the train up to the North Shore.

I have not been there since the chef change, however.

Bank Lane Bistro
670 N. Bank Lane
Lake Forest
847/234-8802
www.banklanebistro.com

Thanks for the rec, although since we live in Bucktown it'd be a little far. I checked out the menu and it looks great, particularly the fact that I can get my foie gras fix. I definitely will check it on another occasion.

It has it's detractors but I'm a big fan of BOKA.

And SOLA, to keep the 4 letter word thing going...although not so much VOLO.

DMChicago wrote:It has it's detractors but I'm a big fan of BOKA.

And SOLA, to keep the 4 letter word thing going...although not so much VOLO.

I agree with the BOKA suggestion. I had a great meal there recently. It's not too far from your 'hood.

In the city:

North Pond
Custom House
Magnolia Cafe
Sweets and Savories
MK

(We must have similar taste; you've already hit four of my top five casual fine dining places in the city, North Pond being the exception.)

In the suburbs:

Tallgrass in Lockport
Michael in Winnetka
Oceanique in Evanston
Chef's Station in Evanston
Vie in Western Springs
Le Titi de Paris in Arlington Heights

As for foie gras, Tallgrass, Michael, Chef's Station, and Vie have it, and probably Le Titi (haven't been there lately). Michael has the very best foie gras dish I've ever had - a medallion of seared foie gras over foie gras and mushroom strudel. Better yet, as I found out a week ago as a pleasant surprise, they're open for lunch on Fridays, and they have a deal, $35 for a three-course lunch, including anything on the menu - and the foie was one of the choices available for lunch that day.

You can also probably do Everest for about your $300 limit, and significantly less if you're there for their pre-theater special, 3 courses for $50 at 5:00/5:30 every night they're open except Fridays. Speaking of deals, Custom House has a similar deal every night for $46. Oceanique has a similar deal every night except Saturdays for $42; if you go to Oceanique on a night other than Saturdays and you don't do this deal, you can use the $25 off coupon you'll find on their website.

May Street Market
1132 W. Grand Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
312.421.5547

avec

Nomi would work

If you like foie, you might be able to get some "it isn't foie any Moore" at Copperblue in Lake point tower...
also a nice romantic spot

How about Powerhouse?

Bistro Campagne? I don't see any recent LTH activity about the place, but you can read up on their menu online.

ab wrote:Nomi would work

NoMI could stretch the stated budget... good place, though.

I know it's gotten mixed reviews but I am a big fan of Sepia.

http://www.sepiachicago.com/

I echo BOKA and Custom House.