Which GNR winner for a large group dinner?

I'm having a hard time figuring out a good choice for a business school graduation dinner I'm planning for the SO. Here is the situation:
- Dinner for about 25 people in town for the festivities - parents, siblings, and five children ranging from 2-14.
- Frugal folks, let's just say none of them is even considering a hotel stay and would rather occupy our 1 BR apts.
- Not picky eaters, but safe to say completely unadventurous. Asian is by far the safest (and possibly only) choice. Sunshine Cafe would be really nice, but too small I think! Middle Eastern and Mexican might result in a puzzled look and a shrug.
- People will be staying either in Evanston or in Old Town, and not all will have cars, so we will be reliant on the CTA, cabs, or feet.

One night we're planning a big Argyle dinner where my parents are buddies with the owners, but we still need a Friday night option. I'm trying to stay away from a private room option that locks me into a $2000 food or drink minimum just to control the spending, so I'd like to find a place that would be willing to accomodate a large group without forcing us to sign contracts, spend $100 a head, etc.

Other considerations - Atmosphere not critical. I would like a place that's nicer, just because it's a celebration, but I realize I can't have it all so casual is fine.

In addition, these visitors rarely leave the safety of their cookie cutter subdivisions, so my inclination is to take them somewhere that leaves them with a very favorable impression of city living, rather than feeling afraid. I may go the distance for good food, but this is not the group to take with me.

I appreciate any and all suggestions from the knowledgeable posters on this site.

Lao Sze Chuan sure seems like a no-brainer. I believe they charge for their private room, but it's a very, very modest fee, especially given the size of your party. $50, maybe? Great food, inexpensive, good space for a large group -- can't beat that.

Sabatino's

Definitely Lao Sze Chuan. The private room is perfect, and the price is right. Plus, Chinatown has the safe-but-exotic appeal.

You might also consider Bertucci's if your party is more in line for Italian food (it's also in Chinatown, but off the main streets). It's not a GNR, but it's definitely solid, reasonably priced and has a friendly, old school Chicago vibe. They can accommodate your crowd in the back room. Don't know if they charge a fee if you take over the whole room, but it's worth a call.

I believe Spoon Thai could accommodate a group of 25 people and then you could combine some Ameri-Thai with some real Thai, but they are not set up for it in the same way that LSC and Sabatino's are.

Other options, some of which may be geographically challenging, but they could handle your party:

Chuck's
Manny's
Sun Wah (I really love this place and they could take you even if it will be a bit of a zoo)
Klas - easy, rich with atmosphere, combination of American favorites and Bohemian war horses
Laschet's - sort of similar to Klas, only the food is much better, IMO. Great if you have beer drinkers

I am going to guess that Xni Pec and the Korean BBQ joints are too "weird," though they could also handle 25 people.

If you want it to be semi-classy, Lao Sze Chuan and Sabatino's have the best set up. Manny's and Klas could handle the crowd easily and are rich with Chicago atmosphere. Chuck's can offer a fun variety of food to please the crowd, but is a hike. Laschet's, Sun Wah and Spoon offer the best food, but you are likely to be stretching them a little with your crowd (though each should be able to handle it even if you will be broken up into more than one table).

Enjoy.