Lettuce Options for Mom's Birthday

OK, Mom's got a big birthday (ends in a 0) coming up. We have a collection of Lettuce Entertain You gift cards we'd like to use to take the five adult family members out somewhere that feels appropriately festive for the lady who bore us and now babysits our kids for free. Unfortunately, we can't swing Tru or L20 this time around.
I'm leaning towards Nacional 27, but I don't see a recent post.
Mon Ami Gabi is another option, but seems less friendly for the vegetarian in the group.
Any warnings against either or suggestions for another LEY we should be considering?

Petterino's or Mighty Nice come to mind.

Mon Ami Gabi can easily accommodate a vegetarian - perhaps not a vegan, but certainly a vegetarian.

Mighty Nice comes to mind in several contexts for me, including "consistently mediocre," "over the hill seafood" and "zoo."

not_thai_wife wrote:somewhere that feels appropriately festive for the lady who bore us

My mom also tends to prattle a bit, but are you sure feeding her nothing but greens is proper retaliation? It's her birthday!

Easy- Joe's Stone Crab.

nicinchic wrote:Easy- Joe's Stone Crab.

Nicinchic,

Love Joe's Stone Crab, but I'd suggest considering Brasserie Jo. Brasserie Jo is significantly less expensive than Joe's, runs like a well oiled machine from hostess to convivial bar to comfortable lively dining room and offers solid to very good renditions of bistro classics. I'm a fan of both skate and Choucroute Alsacienne.

I would pick Brasserie Jo over Mon Ami Gabi in a heartbeat.

Enjoy,
Gary

Brasserie Jo
59 West Hubbard Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
312-595-0800

I also like Brassiere Jo as a moderately priced, but above average Lettuce option. I also like Shaw's, although prefer the less expensive bar side to the more formal side which may not be appropriately festive for an important event.

Shaw's Crab House
21 E Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 527-2722

I received a LEYE gift cards from work over the holidays, and we enjoyed our meal at Brasserie Jo so much that we went back - and we got two meals out of one gift card. A couple of tips- the Tarte flambee is an absolute killer appetizer and the Nantucket scallops were sweet and perfectly cooked.

I would definitely recommend Osteria Via Stato, especially for a group of adults going out. They have a number of options to choose from as far as never ending family style dinner servings. Not your traditional Italian American fare either. Fresh organic ingredients that give options to both the meat eater and those that prefer other. Their wine list is also exceptional with an abundant choice of house wines served carafe style and bottled. For dessert I would recommend The Italian Style Cheesecake(surprisingly very lite) or the Blood Orange Granita. Wonderful atmosphere that can cater to intimate or lively group dining. One of my favorite LEYE restaurants, also the most overlooked. I'm a former Lettuce Corp. employee and I still continue to dine at Osteria on a regular basis. Check out their website, you will not be disappointed. http://www.osteriaviastato.com

Osteria Via Stato
http://www.leye.com

620 N State St
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 642-8450

I agree Gwiv, also a nice option. But, I think of a vegetarian in the group, and I think of the mac and cheese, and all the vegetable sides they have at Joe's. Add a bone in filet, and it's a perfect dinner for me.

I second the recommendations for Petterino's and Shaw's. I also prefer the more casual side of Shaw's, but the main dining room is actually very pretty as well.

If you frequent LEYE restaurants, look into getting a points card. The points really do add up.

I would pick Brasserie Jo over Mon Ami Gabi in a heartbeat.

Second & Jo's has some fab veg options, starting w/ mac & cheese & moving on from there. Plus I love their chocolate mousse & profiteroles.

Third, fourth, or whatever the Brasserie Jo recommendation (though I do also like Nacional 27). Any place that unapologetically puts this on the menu gets my vote:

Brasserie Jo Menu wrote:Canned Sardines, Onion, Lemon, Pommes Lyonnaise . . . . . . 8.95

I might just have to stop in next week for this dish, along with a French ale and some of the very good (and free!!!) tarte flambee they give out on weekdays at the bar.

Kennyz wrote:Third, fourth, or whatever the Brasserie Jo recommendation (though I do also like Nacional 27). Any place that unapologetically puts this on the menu gets my vote:

Brasserie Jo Menu wrote:Canned Sardines, Onion, Lemon, Pommes Lyonnaise . . . . . . 8.95

Kenny,

Funny, I don't seem to remember seeing this on the menu, but it sounds delicious. I take it the sardines are served along side or on top of the potatoes, not incorporated into the dish.

Enjoy,
Gary

Gary,

I hadn't seen it either, but there appears to be a new section of the menu called "Le Petits Diners" with the sardines, boudin blanc, a burger, and a couple of other things. Perhaps a recession-minded addition.

Kenny

Brasserie Jo is an outstanding option for what you describe. I have hosted family gatherings, business dinners, dates, you name it there. It has been a hit every time. The skate is my favorite dish.