Lest I was unclear, which I seem to be having trouble with lately: my comment upthread speaks more about my mother and less about Tango Sur or senior citizens in general.

Ray Radigan's in Pleasant Prairie, WI has always been a popular supper club for seniors. Established in 1933, Radigan's continues to be a senior destination restaurant. Not much has changed over the past 75 years, including the waitstaff and they still serve a relish tray, but it's not free any more. My parents used to schlep us to Radigan's when black & white TV and cars without seat belts were in vogue. I haven't been back since the early 80's. However, Cathy2 posted on Radigan's a few years back. http://www.foodspot.com/rayradigans

FWIW, we're all staying downtown at the Palmer House.

I don't know what your $$ constraints are or what their Christmas Eve dinners are like, but you certainly won't find any restaurant more convenient than Lockwoods, whose current menu seems to be fairly eclectic:

http://www.lockwoodrestaurant.com/food_dinner.aspx

As far as quality is concerned, their cuisine is, at least from my last visit several months ago, on par with Custom House (which might be another alternative, if price is not a major obstacle).

In my family we are often searching for appropriate places for special occasions. Budget is not really a problem, but finding the right mix of food, noise, and mood have been difficult. My wife's grandmother is 90 plus and lives in Glenview. She enjoys German food, but not the modernized stuff. We often end up at Downtown hotel restaurants, which are very nice, but are sometimes a little too much. If anyone has any ideas to fit this bill, I'd love to hear it. I think we need to try Myron and Phil's.

One thing we have found to be a good idea is getting a private room. Sometimes there is a room fee, but the Great-Grandchildren can run around a little and the doors help keep out the noise. This worked at Brasserie Jo and NoMi.

I lost. The family we're hosting insists Wildfire is the best steakhouse in Chicago, and they cite Zagat, which names it as Chicagoland's most popular restaurant. My assertion that Custom House, Gene & Georgetti's, or David Burke's Primehouse might be better choices was met with "then why were any of them Chicago's most popular restaurant in Zagat?". Heathens.

The appropriate counter to that move is to show them the Zagat rating for their least favorite local chain; but if they've decided they're going to follow the 'gat, there's no helping them. Good luck!

We went to Cafe Lucci recently and I thought it would be a good place for older diners. They have free valet parking so you can pull right up to the door. They've remodeled since the Check Please episode and the restaurant is in shades of cream and brown. It was pretty full but it was not loud at all--another plus for older folks.

I had the FETTUCCINE CON CAPESANTI BASILICO -- "jumbo sea scallops sautéed in white wine with garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, basil and spinach served over fettuccine" -- and it was very good. We will definitely go back.

Cafe Lucci
609 Milwaukee Ave.
Glenview, IL 60025
847.729.2268
http://www.cafelucci.com/index.html

Also, we ate with my father-in-law at Al Primo Canto in Edgebrook and the owner told us that we could call ahead next time and get special parking. There are no stairs in the restaurant and the service is very good. The only thing I would note is that the chairs are very heavy but I'm sure they will pull them out if needed. They really take care of you there.

Al Primo Canto
5414 W. Devon Ave.
Chicago, IL 60646 773-631-0100

Hi all, I am trying to help my friend out with dining options. His best friend's parent will be coming to town Friday night till Sunday. He is having a hard time trying to find places for them. They are kinda like yr old school Brits in their palates. They like plain food. He is planning on taking them to the Signitature Room but that's all he and I can think of. He doesn't want to go to any pubs. Help!!!

Lawry's?

Mike G wrote:Lawry's?

Lawry's actually sounds perfect for them. Check this thread for more options as well.

South Water Kitchen would be another easy recommendation, I think. We've enjoyed good quality food and service, nothing challenging on the menu, at two dinner visits (one as recently as last night).

don't the british really enjoy curry?

Since the OP says they like plain food, I would think curries would not be a great choice.

My grandmother loves Wildfire.

Wildfire
159 W. Erie
Chicago, IL 60610
Tel: 312-787-9000
http://www.wildfirerestaurant.com/

Would Myron and Phil's be out of line?

Myron and Phil
3900 W Devon
Lincolnwood, IL
847-677-6663

If you time it right, the Walnut Room at Field, (oops Macys) could be nice, also
An early dinner is often preferred by parental types and often has the bonus of a greatly diminished wait.

If they are cool with Italian, Italian Village is nice too and kind of Old school

Thanks for the suggestions so far. What about Sepia for them? I've eaten there before and loved it. Also, my friend is dying to try it. Yay or nay?

Sepia is great. I think we all interpreted your indication of "plain food" to mean really plain, which Sepia is not. I was at Sepia recently and a hearty meat eater in the group really enjoyed the steak. If you think the atmosphere would appeal to them, I think it is a good idea.

to be quite honest, I have no idea of their definition of plain...I know my friend told me that they love bland food...but I agree with Sepia being a great place to take anyone to...who knows

What about a Chicago Steakhouse?

If they're elderly, they might enjoy a restaurant that dates back as far as they do ... like Charcoal Oven.

Charcoal Oven
4400 Golf Rd.
Skokie

We have the same request for blandness when we take my Canadian-born, elderly mother-in-law out to dinner. Believe me, it is difficult. She thinks Italian is too ethnic. Virtually every restaurant my husband and children and I usually go is off limits.

I'd suggest a fish place. They can get a plain piece of fish and a plain baked potato. If they're downtown, perhaps McCormick & Schmick? I also think Lawry's is a very good idea, assuming they like beef (which, alas, my mil does not).

How about Polish or some other equally bland (in a good way) Eastern European food?

Although time is running out, one thing that might be worth trying is calling the British Consulate in Chicago, and asking them where they take bigwigs visiting from across the pond.

312 970 3800

riddlemay, I like yr suggestion about asking the consulate...made me chuckle...and yes Eva, my friend and I are pulling out our hair figuring this out

Steve Z's suggestion of Polish is a good one--my mil liked The Red Apple. Of course, you would want sit down. Smak Tak is great and a cute little place. But perhaps your friend wants a fancier place.

I know you mentioned you don't want a pub, but I very much like the Celtic Knot in Evanston. It might offer familiar food, at least - and the more traditional you order, the better. The restaurant is a bit separated from the bar - and kids are welcome, so I'd guess seniors are too.

Otherwise, I'd say GNR Winner Myron & Phil's if you are looking for meat. Another option might be Lutz's, which seems to be very very senior-friendly (think lace-doily senior-friendly, though they're now apparently sporting free WiFi) - I only ate there once, but had fun with the step back in time and liked the food. They offer some vegetarian and fish options. They are only open from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, though.

Celtic Knot
626 Church
Evanston, IL
(847) 864-1679

Myron & Phils
3900 W Devon Ave
(at Proesel Ave)
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
(847) 677-6663

Lutz Continental Cafe & Pastry Shop
2458 W Montrose Ave
(between Artesian Ave & Campbell Ave)
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 478-7785

.
I'd add GNR Tre Kronor, though the dining room of a nice hotel seems suited as well.

Enjoy,
Gary

G Wiv wrote:...the dining room of a nice hotel seems suited as well.

I had the hotel thought also, and was trying to think of a British-owned hotel in Chicago (which would be perfect) and came up empty--the closest I could come up with was the Irish-owned Fitzpatrick on E. Superior, which does have a restaurant called Fitzer's (info gathered from internet). Howevah--a British-by-association hotel is The Peninsula, the flagship of which chain was established in the British colony of Hong Kong in 1928, and which has a very nice restaurant, Avenues, that I haven't been to.

Avenues
The Peninsula Hotel
108 East Superior Street
312 573 6618

riddlemay wrote:I had the hotel thought also, and was trying to think of a British-owned hotel in Chicago (which would be perfect) and came up empty--the closest I could come up with was the Irish-owned Fitzpatrick on E. Superior, which does have a restaurant called Fitzer's (info gathered from internet).

And if they tried to go to the Fitzpatrick, they'd also come up empty, because what used to be the Fitzpatrick is now Affinia, home to C-House restaurant (which I haven't tried - no idea if its appropriate for an elderly British couple).