Food and Fun for Forties Folks?

My wife and I were trying to come up with a new restaurant to go to last Saturday night and after kicking around the usual suspects, we wound up at Graham Elliott, which was fantastic btw.

When I asked my wife what type of place she wanted, she said the following:

“Someplace lively, maybe with music or some type of entertainment. Someplace where we (mid-forties and late forties) would be comfortable. And the food doesn’t have to knock my socks off, just be decent.”

I was stumped. We’ve lived here 4 years and go out to eat often but not for entertainment.

Any suggestions?

Sabatino's?

Pete Miller's ?

http://www.petemillers.com/

I would second Sabatino's and Pete Miller's. Two other places that have food and music:

Uncommon Ground on Devon. Has music in the back room most nights, and definitely on weekends. I've enjoyed my meals there and would count it as pretty decent food though there are some hits and misses.

Katerina's on Irving Park Rd. has a very interesting muscial line up, from rembetika (sometimes likened to Greek blues) to torch singers. The food is, I would say, just at the decent level. I have a few dishes that I stick to probably because they remind me of some dishes I grew up with, not because they are all that fabulous. But it's one of my favorite spots in the city. Very warm and eclectic vibe and the crowd there trends in the 40's. It feels very much like Katerina invited you into her living room to hear some musician buddies playing.

Katerina's
1920 W Irving Park Rd.
(773) 348-7592

Uncommon Ground on Devon
1401 W Devon Ave.
773-465-9801

Pete Miller's does have terrific jazz, but the last time I went, the food was so disappointing, I've never been back (it's possible it has improved, this was several years back, but I've yet to hear positives about the food)

What about Zhivago?

I'm only 35, but will echo the Katerina's recommendation. The skorthalia and lemon grilled calamari are both quite good and, as hellodali notes, the vibe in the place can't be beat.

Mhays wrote:Pete Miller's does have terrific jazz, but the last time I went, the food was so disappointing, I've never been back (it's possible it has improved, this was several years back, but I've yet to hear positives about the food)

My mistake-- When I suggested Pete Miller's, I should have been more specific.

We always visit the Wheeling location, which has been extremely consistent.

You must be referring to the Evanston "outpost" which IMO, suffers from bouts of inconsistency.

True, never eaten at the Wheeling location.

I also just remembered, Sabor a Cafe, which serves my favorite tostones (patacones in Colombian) ever, also has live Colombian-style music on occasion. Unfortunately, their schedule isn't on the website and I don't remember when we happened onto it. Other than the tostones, the food is variable, but generally fairly good.

Took my parents to Glenn's Diner (clearly a favorite of this forum) at Montrose and Ravenswood the other week and they loved it. Great atmosphere, literally ages 8 months to 80 years represented. Not anything like Graham Elliot, but worth a trip for sure.
Check out one of my favorites, the Gage (Michigan and Monroe) as well. The lively bar is a great place to grab dinner, and the rest of the space is a little quieter.

Hellodali wrote:Uncommon Ground on Devon
1401 W Devon Ave.
773-465-9801

Second.

For better-than-average chow and free entertainment (at least some of the time; maybe always), I enjoyed Uncommon Ground on Clark a lot. I suspect it's the same deal on Devon.

Andy's Jazz Club, at 11 E. Hubbard in River North - 312.642.6805. Food's not bad, the drinks are cold, and the music is always hot. Go!

Thanks for all the great suggestions!

One of my favorite restaurants in the South-of-the-Loop area, cuatro, has music several nights during the week. And believe me, you're not sacrificing anything at the culinary end by going there. Check schedules and menus here:

http://www.cuatro-chicago.com/

For something a little different, live music on weekends:
La Peña (Ecuadoran)
4212 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago
(773) 545-7022

Taste of Peru
6545 N. Clark St.
Chicago
(773) 381-4540

Mi Tierra (exceptionally lively)
2528 S. Kedzie
Chicago
(773) 254-7722

Kennyz wrote:I'm only 35, but will echo the Katerina's recommendation. The skorthalia and lemon grilled calamari are both quite good and, as hellodali notes, the vibe in the place can't be beat.

Perhaps the food has gotten better, but I had an inedible pork chop there a few years ago. I got a glass of corked wine that I got a very hard time about. And the owner wanted to just hang out with her friends and was beyond rude to us.

All after paying a $10 cover. (Which I don't mind when the service and food warrant - the band was pretty good)

kafein wrote:

Kennyz wrote:I'm only 35, but will echo the Katerina's recommendation. The skorthalia and lemon grilled calamari are both quite good and, as hellodali notes, the vibe in the place can't be beat.

Perhaps the food has gotten better, but I had an inedible pork chop there a few years ago. I got a glass of corked wine that I got a very hard time about. And the owner wanted to just hang out with her friends and was beyond rude to us.

All after paying a $10 cover. (Which I don't mind when the service and food warrant - the band was pretty good)

Can't comment on your experience, other than to say it is very far from the 10-12 experiences I've had at Katerina's, where Katerina couldn't have been warmer or more engaging with her customers. It is true that many of those customers are regulars and, perhaps, friends. I've never had the pork chop, but will vouch for the lemon-grilled calamari and the skorthalia.

Recently crossing over the 40-barrier into my pre-twilight years I've noticed my taste buds have had quite the affinity for some of the finer chartcuterie plates across this fair city specifically at Mercat a la Planxa.

BTW does anyone have a line on some above par supper clubs in southern wisconsin?