Veerasway - or anything, really

Hi, all!

One of Science Boy's friends is coming to stay this weekend and wants to take us to dinner Saturday night. She asked me to choose a place near our home that's in "the same price range as Leona's."

We live in East Garfield Park and I'm not really aware of any kind of sit-down for dinner place in our direct 'hood. (LOVE Ja's, but the idea is to stay out of the house a little while.) (Oh, maybe Feed, now that I'm typing... Never had dinner there, though SB kinda disliked it when we went for breakfast...) So, we can definitely venture out some.

I've been riding my bike home from work down Randolph and see there are a number of places there. No idea about pricing, etc. The only one who's name I can even remember right now is Veerasway, which (from their website) seems to be contemporary Indian. I did a search and didn't see any reviews of it here. Has anyone been? How is it?

Or, does anyone have any suggestions for something not too far from East Garfield that has reasonable prices and yummy food? (I was thinking we could always do Irazu, but it would be nice to try somewhere new if someone else is treating!)

I know this request is rather vague, but I'd love any suggestions! Thanks!

Take a look here Veerasway.

Ack! Maybe I spelled it wrong when I did the search?

Thanks for pointing me toward this thread. Sounds like mixed reviews, though the last was promising... Maybe we will try it.

But I'd still love any other ideas people may have!

If you are willing to venture out a bit, have you considered Andrzej grill? Very inexpensive (dinner is about $8.00) and quite good Polish food. It only has about 5 tables and it closes at 7/8pm, so you would want to get there on the early side. More info on it here:http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4434&hilit=Andrzej

A slightly more upscale option would be Maiz Anojitos Y Bebidas. Mexican small plates with an emphasis on street food, mid-range in price, good drinks. Portions are small, so it is a nice place to share a number of dishes around the table. I couldn't find anything about it on LTH, but I'm also fairly unskilled with the search option so it seems likely that info is on here somewhere.

Heads up - both places are cash only.

Maiz Anojitos Y Bebidas
1041 N. California
(773) 276-3149

Andrzej Grill
1022 N. Western Ave
(773) 489-3566

Paramount Room?

Or Greektown??

here's a short discussion on Maiz: Maiz

I'm a fan...

ab

Habana Libre doesn't seem too far away:

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=10707&hilit=HABANA+LIBRE

May I suggest Enoteca Roma. Great pasta (I love that Cervo - venison bolognese sauce), Fun Bruchettas. Great outdoor patio spaces.
on Division, just a block or so east of Western.
http://www.enotecaroma.com/
I second Maiz too. (their tortilla's have vastly improved)
I cannot recommend Verasway. Not one thing about it. Except its pretty in there and I like the bar stools.
But I think I read in the latest Dish that another BYOB Indian spot opened up across the Street...maybe thats a possability

Wow! Thank you everyone, for such great suggestions! I am definitely willing to travel away from our hood (I'd really like to finally get to Semirami's), but our guest requested we stay close. SO. I think I am going to pass on Veerasway and print out the rest of these suggestions/menus. Then I'll show Science Boy and our guest and let them choose where we go (especially since I am, by far, the most willing to try new places).

Well, I presented Science Boy and our guest with all the options given here along with a few other small-ish places I've ridden by on my way to and from work. Our guest chose Baba Pita. I've been wanting to try them, so I was pleased to go.

For the most part, everything was fabulous. It was *hot* in there, but they had a fan that SB pointed at our table, which helped. I ordered the vegetarian combo plate, SB got the meat combo plate, and our guest got the lamb shank.

The pitas were a little dry and didn't seem entirely fresh. Beyond that, though, every single thing Science Boy and I had was delicious. The baba ganouj was especially good - smoky and garlicky and lovely. Oh, and the dolma! I loved how small and delicate and perfectly seasoned they were! Our guest's lamb was tasty, but pretty dry.

The owner came over to ask how everything was toward the start of the meal. I asked about delivery and expressed disappointment to learn they only deliver as far west as Western. He asked where we live (approximately Lake and Sacramento) and said they would deliver to us for $1 extra. So few places deliver to us and the food was mostly great, so I'd gladly pay an extra dollar!

I think when we order, I will go to the Lebanese bakery on Kedzie just north (?) of Berteau (I simply *cannot* remember the name of it for anything right now, but I ride up there from time to time!) to get some of their wonderful pita.

Thanks again for all the suggestions! SB and I do plan to try all of these places as time and budget affords. I appreciate, as always, the enthusiastic help of this wonderful community!