Recommendations? Fun Dinner Place in Loop

What are some places in the loop with good food, inexpensive or moderately priced, that are fun to go to?

My friends and I are looking for a place to go, want to get dressed up since we aren't going to Prom, but don't want to spend too much money. There are five of us, including a vegetarian. She wanted something near Millenium Park, but the area seems a bit overpriced to me.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

I suppose "moderately priced" and "fun" mean different things to different people, but if you want someplace near Millenium Park and have a vegetarian with you, Russian Tea Time on Adams is the first thing that came to my mind:

http://www.russianteatime.com/


The Gage is also right there - though prices may be pushing it, there does seem to be one veg option for dinner.

http://www.thegagechicago.com/

I think Mercat a la Planxa would work well for you.

Let's see-- near Loop and Millennium Park, check. Not overpriced, check. Good food, nice place, check. Vegetarian options, check.
http://www.southwaterkitchen.com/

Thanks. I found out moderately priced means $30 to my friends, and we want a place that we can have a good time at (we're a group of 17 year old girls).

I'd thought of Russian Tea Time. I'll look at the other places too though.

Park Grill is fun and I've found that the food is quite good. It's actually inside Millennium Park, right at the entrance. If the weather's nice, you can eat outside. Mains start at $18 and always include something for vegetarians.

There's also Pizano's on Madison, right around the corner from the park, for deep-dish pizza.

I'll second the Gage recommendation (upscale Irish pub). Here's a link to their menu: http://www.thegagechicago.com/

The only issue for you might be their limited vegetarian option. I have not been to Mercat a la Planxa yet, but that also sounds like a good option from what I have heard (in terms of menu, prices and atmosphere).

There's also the Rosebud theater district location which would probably within the price range of what you're looking for, but I don't think it would have the type of atmosphere of the first two spots.

Does anyone have any good restaurant recommendations for a good dinner in/near the loop tomorrow? I've eaten downtown plenty of times, but it's usually when I have an expense account, so I'm not sure where are some good places to go that a) won't cost an arm and a leg but are still nice b) won't be serving mediocre food while swarming with tourists (that means you, Cheesecake Factory). I thought about going someplace in the West Loop, but I'd like to eat someplace within walking distance. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Rosebud Prime, 1S.Dearborn.
However, there are tons of threads on this if you do a loop search.

Mercat is still closed for repairs, isn't it? Also, I think it's probably *way* more than the OP's target price range, unfortunately.

nicinchic wrote:Rosebud Prime, 1S.Dearborn.
However, there are tons of threads on this if you do a loop search.

Having been to rosebud prime twice in the last 2 weeks I don't consider it fun or moderately priced. Or good for that matter with the quantity of really good steakhouses in this city.

Everything I've ever had there was good. I've been for lunch and dinner. The bar area is pretty fun and always full, it has a good vibe. What do you consider moderatly priced I guess is the question. The Tilted Kilt? Millers? Both boring to me. I'd rather have a good steak, or steak salad, or piece of fish. The steak salad is only $15.95, and plenty of moderate bottles of wine. I went to see a show at the Chicago theatre and they offered to wrap up our food so we could come back later to pick it up. I happen to have had great service all the times I've been there.

Plus, the poster didn't give any parameters whatsoever. Theatre, shopping, Art Institute??

Lets not confuse Oakparkerr's off topic post and the Rosebud Prime rec with the OP.

Oakparkerr, where did you go?

And you'll notice I didn't say "OP" referring to the original poster.....

No, but jpschust's reference to "fun" only made sense in reference to the OP.

Ironically, posts that are way off topic may not screw up a thread as much as those that are just a little off, such as Oakparkerr's.

nicinchic wrote:Everything I've ever had there was good. I've been for lunch and dinner. The bar area is pretty fun and always full, it has a good vibe. What do you consider moderatly priced I guess is the question. The Tilted Kilt? Millers? Both boring to me. I'd rather have a good steak, or steak salad, or piece of fish. The steak salad is only $15.95, and plenty of moderate bottles of wine. I went to see a show at the Chicago theatre and they offered to wrap up our food so we could come back later to pick it up. I happen to have had great service all the times I've been there.

Plus, the poster didn't give any parameters whatsoever. Theatre, shopping, Art Institute??

A lot of off vintages of wine, I found the steaks to be expensive and virtually flavorless. You're not quite walking distance but a stone's throw from a bunch of steakhouses on the other side of the river at similar price points and far better wine lists and quality of meat. Our service has never been terrible, but I still wouldn't consider it fun. When I think fun I think the Gage, Graham Elliot's, Avec. Which brings me to three reccomendations:

The Gage
Graham Elliot's
Avec.

The Italian Village is perfect. three levels of restaurants from inexpensive to moderate to expensive. great "space" vintage chicago and new chef Micheal A. (can't remember his last name) is excellent.
do some searches on this site and metromix.

If River North is an option then I would recommend Hub 51.

John