looking for a suggestion for saturday night

So, my wife and I and a another couple are going out together saturday night and looking for eating ideas. Here are a couple of vague parameters:

1) Not too far from Oak Park. By too far I mean not the north side, but the south loop, river north, west loop are all in play.

2) A decent beer selection would make me happy.

3) Comfortable. A place with well-crafted food where wearing jeans is perfectly appropriate.

4) a place that gives someone that does not want to eat pork a couple options.

5) We like the idea of somewhere "fun." Not chuck e. cheese fun, but just a little more engaging. This is not a requirement.

We were contemplating Publican, but the available reservation times did not work for us.

Thanks for any thoughts folks might have.

Not sure about the beer selection, but how about Graham Elliot?

I think Bristol fits your considerations (if a little out of your geographic range).

Bristol
2152 N. Damen

They don't take reservations but have a comfortable bar room upstairs where you can wait and have a drink.

The Gage?

I dont remember their beer list being that great, but it should meet the other criteria.

West Town Tavern
1329 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60642
(312) 666-6175

jesteinf wrote:Not sure about the beer selection, but how about Graham Elliot?

From the Graham Elliot's thread, aschie noted:

aschie30 wrote:Graham Elliott is closed for their "winter break" until Jan. 16th.

This has been a public service announcement.

Sol de Mexico. Probably not a great beer list, but there are always Margaritas.

I second The Bristol.

Amazing Beer selection. Not overly porky and meeting all your other criteria. Don't get there too late if you don't want a long wait. I went last Saturday and at 5:45 got a seat right away. By 7:00 I'd say the wait was ove ran hour.

I'm not sure they take reservations, but have decent food (couple of non-pork options) and an excellent beer list, Paramount Room.

Paramount Room
415 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60610
312/829-6300

Pretty close to Oak Park, and seems to meet your criteria:

Marion Street Cheese Market Cafe
100 S. Marion St., Oak Park

Thanks a lot for the feedback from everyone. I think we are have it narrowed to Sol de Mexico and West Town Tavern, but I have every intention of hitting many of the other places mentioned at other times.