A memorable occassion for five?

jghfjhg

North Pond? Lovely, memorable setting. Food isn't too scary. Prices are high, but not as high as the places you'd been considering. North Pond, to me, seems like a great place to celebrate a graduation. If you don't order a ton of alcohol, it's easy to stay under $100/person.

Ronna

There's always Naha/Blackbird/North Pond.

I would say any of those three places or Sweets & Savories. Good food and nice atmosphere at all, without any "out there" food. Sweets & Savories would be the least expense of the four.

Nahas's a solid option, but personally I find it a bit stuffy & I'd consider somewhere a bit more festive for a graduation event, but that's just me. Maybe Cafe Spiaggia if Italian is acceptable - lot less pricey than its big sister, but very solid food whenever I've been there & a great atmosphere & view.

If you are not limiting your options to Chicago (proper) and you are willing to travel to suburbia, I would suggest that you consider Gabriel's in Highwood. Chef Viti's food and hospitality are well known and respected, and we have always had wonderful experiences there.

http://www.egabriels.com/flash.html

Avenues does offer a 4 course menu for $75/person (I think), so you could keep it somewhat reasonable there if you don't go too crazy on wine. I believe there is one wine list for the whole hotel (including the Lobby and other dining establishments), so there are probably some decent bottles at the lower end of the list, and the 4 course menu doesn't present as many pairing challenges as a tasting menu.
We ate there last fall for a special occasion, and we were definitely made to feel very special and really got the royal treatment. I think Avenues is somewhat unique in that it is accessible to non-foodies with somewhat conventional palates, but still offers a distinct wow factor that sets it apart from the many fine 3 star establishments in Chicago which offer great food and good service (ie One Sixty Blue, Blackbird, North Pond etc).

I was thinking Sweets and Savories, too, altho their menu is usually small. However, since it's a special occasion, you might want to contact them directly. It's the kind of place that may be open to setting up a special menu that would help you keep an eye both on what's being offered and the price.

Spiaggia might work. Elegant room. Everyone likes Italian, no?

I think Sweets & Savories food is wonderful, but the last time we were there, the service was very rushed. We had a 9pm reservation for 4 people on a Saturday night. We ordered several appetizers to share and we were not even done with them when our entrees appeared. We were in our car before 10:30 and dinner is rarely under a two hour event with my family. Again, the food was fabulous and the prices are extremely reasonable for the quality...I just don't know if it will have the "special occasion" atmosphere that you are seeking.

Last year, to celebrate my doctoral defense, my family and a few friends ( I think there were 12 of us) went to One SixtyBlue and loved it. I think the atmosphere and service will give you that special occasion feel, the food is spectacular (although I believe that the chef has changed since I have been there) and the prices are "reasonable" compared to the absolutely top restaurants in the city.

Congrats on your upcoming graduation from med school!

I don't know about Sweets and Savories, I go there in jeans. North Pond is a good suggestion, although my recent trip to Everest wasn't to bad. They have a price fix. I don't know which neighborhood you live in , but maybe Cafe Absinthe. I just went there for a birthday and it was lovely. Il Mulino, One sixty blue, May Street Market.

If you're willing to go suburban- Prairie Grass is always a hit with the parental crowd....
and while not cheap is not in the stratospheric range.
I'd also think nice Italian-

Given your parameters, I think you should look for a nice food experience where you can BYOB. This will allow you to control cost by controlling the price of alcohol, which is usually more than the price of food (based on my dining habits anyway).

The first thought for me would be Bonsoiree. The food is inventive and they are BYOB all the time.

If Bonsoiree doesn't do it for you and you need the dinner to be on the weekend, this rules out most of the nice places in the area because their BYOB is typically on Monday or Tuesday. However, there is the option of OneSixty Blue. They have a BYOB night on the last Friday of every month.

I can't thank you enough for your suggestions. Very very kind of you guys. Will look into the suggestions offered so far. Keep 'em coming.

I've been looking through the suggestions and they are all excellent. I especially like North Pond as it seems more conservative for my parents.

One thing that is itching at me, however, is that maybe we can swing something even more special. My family has always been into French dining and I just happened to have come across Les Nomades. The menu looks perfect for my parents. Unfortunately the price does not. But perhaps, if you all think it is truly worth it and a one of a kind experience, perhaps we can swing it. Having never dined there I have no idea.

What do you think?

Also would be interested to hear about Tall Grass? And how that would compare to North Pond.

Thanks!

My parents sound a lot like your parents. They like good food, but they're not super adventurous, and if you take them somewhere that costs way more than they're expecting, it can be a little awkward.

North Pond's atmosphere and food are GREAT, and if you happen to have good weather that night, the surroundings are just stunning, especially at sunset. The prices are definitely up there, though.

If the price issue is that your parents will be uncomfortable knowing the price, not that you can't afford to pay it, many higher-end places will happily print menus without prices for some or all of the party. Inquire about that when you call to make the reservation. My wife and I recently took my MIL to Everest for her birthday and had a menu for her with no prices. (I just told them the price-free menu went to the older woman and they correctly handed out the menus when we arrived without asking which one went to whom.) She loved the dinner, but I think would have enjoyed herself less if she knew just how much it cost.

Les Nomades is going to be the same price as Everest I believe, they have the same $100 price fix. If you end up at either place, jackets and ties. I don't have an opinion really on either, other than Everest you can request a view. I went to Everest because it was my anniversary and came away a bit disappointed because the food was so plain. It was good, but nothing was spectacular. Parents and grandparents kind of place. The service is impeccable and they will make you feel special.

Eli brings up a great point. Is the issue that you can't afford Everest/Trotter/Les Nomades, or just that your parents have a philisophical issue with dinners costing that much? Also, who's paying? If it's you, and you can afford it, then go where you want and have the restaurant give them menus without prices. Remember, you only graduate from med school once.

Well I made reservations for 6 at North Pond. Sent my parents the link the menu and everyone is very excited. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. I wouldn't have thought of North Pond or any of the other places without you guys.

Ask for a table with a nice view and have a great time. Congratulations!