First date, comfy and casual - western suburbs

Let's see, he lives in LaGrange, I live in Hanover Park - he's probably coming out more my way than me going his way.

Foremost, I guess we want to be able to spend some time. Not a place that's going to try to clear our table for the next group.

Of course, great food would be nice too.

I just hardly ever go out to eat, and am a bit stumped. (I usually post in Shopping and Cooking).

Any ideas? Got a little time - we're thinking April 2nd for the date.

Nancy

Do you do sushi (or even Japanese food)?

Nobu's Japanese Restaurant
1318 N Roselle Rd
Schaumburg, IL 60195
(847) 839-8622‎

Nobu-san makes the delicious sushi. This place was recommended to me by a friend who lived in Japan for 12 years and her quote was "the best sushi I've ever had that wasn't in Japan".

I've never seen it mentioned on this forum though. The sushi is always fresh. I've never been rushed out of there either. It's not terribly big, but that adds to it's charm. It's a little pricy, as sushi often is, but worth the money.

For after dinner drinks and conversation, there is a Fox & Hound bar/pub in the same mall.

There's a newer restaurant near the corner of Gary and Lies in Carol Stream across from the fountain called Vangelo's that may fit the bill.

http://vangelosgrill.com/index.html


Vangelo's
1021 Fountain View Drive
Carol Stream, IL 60188
630-510-9700

Sybaris?

Thanks for the first two replies, am considering them.

Sybaris - are you kidding?????

Can't really recommend any places as I live pretty far from both suburbs, but my band is playing in Hanover Park on Saturday April 11th at Bungalow Joe's. If your date goes well, maybe you might want to spend another date listening to some great music. We're called The Magic Frank Blues Band.

Good luck on your date too!

Bungalow Joe's
7406 Jensen Blvd (at Irving Park Rd)
Hanover Park IL 60133
630-830-8899

It's a bit closer to LaGrange than Hanover Park, but I'd offer up the Epicurean Hungarian, for its good food (that's compatible with a wide range of Midwestern palates, but it does tend to be on the heavier, Central-European side), Old-World charm, and unrushed service. And it's the only Hungarian restaurant left in the Chicagoland area (as far as I know, with Paprikash having closed down over a year ago). Last I was there, they had lost their liquor license, so you may want to call ahead to check if it's still BYOB or whether they've gotten their license back.

The Epicurean Hungarian
4431 W Roosevelt Rd
Hillside, IL 60162
(708) 449-1000

The corner of Roosevelt and Lagrange is more than a bit closer to Lagrange than it is to Hanover Park!

Nancy, if atmosphere is more important than cost, I'd suggest the Shula's steak house in the hotel at 290 and Thorndale (used to be a Wyndham, I think it's now a Westin). It is easy access for both of you and it's a little closer to you. The food is certainly good enough (the chicken and fish dishes are IMO better than the steaks, and much less expensive), and you'll be able to get the table for the evening.

No on Vangelo's - ate there a few weeks back and it was mediocre at best. I wouldn't go back. I also ate at Spavone's in Bloomingdale recently (corner of lake and springfield in roselle) and it was lackluster.

One place that I have heard good things about is Nunzio's which is in an unassuming strip mall at army trail just east of bloomingdale road. A native italian says the food is great. It's on my list to get there.

We're thinking of maybe going to:

Ristorante DiMarco's

It's in Itasca - near Addison - on the NW corner of Lake St/Rohlwing Rd.

I liked it in the past, but I haven't been there in a few years.

Anybody been there recently?

I figure it's at least near the expressway where he's coming from, and it USED to be very good.

Nancy

La Grange huh? I took NAV WOMAN to Kenny's years and years ago on our first food-date because I had no money and the burgers were decent and the brews were cheap (NAV MAN had a pretty serious need for the social lubricant in those days). I heard the old man sold the place and I havent been back in years.

vcackerman wrote:No on Vangelo's - ate there a few weeks back and it was mediocre at best. I wouldn't go back. I also ate at Spavone's in Bloomingdale recently (corner of lake and springfield in roselle) and it was lackluster.

One place that I have heard good things about is Nunzio's which is in an unassuming strip mall at army trail just east of bloomingdale road. A native italian says the food is great. It's on my list to get there.

Most people say you should give a place 3-4 chances before giving up...but to me you've gotta at least give them a second chance. If the meal wasn't awful it can be improved upon. People have had meals mediocre at best at places like Trotter's and Alinea...but they were given a second chance.

What about Carlucci on Butterfield Rd across from Home Depot. Its near the corner of Butterfield and Finley which I think would place it in Lombard. Its in easy access of large roads such as I-88 and 355 and would be kind of a mid way point. They have valet parking which I like and which is optional. Lately I've gone there for drinks, so I am not sure how good the food is. If you want to do drinks only or drinks and appetizers only, they have a nice "bar" area that is more restaurant like in feel off to the side and its quiet, not a madhouse.

Note: If you decide to go there, please note that the building has Carlucci on it in big letters you can see from the road. Its kind of on an access road not directly on Butterfield Rd. Entrance accross from Home Depot.

Good luck.

Shannon's on Main Street in Glen Ellyn might be a good midway spot.... the food & service are good & the prices very reasonable. They have an enclosed outside patio with a fireplace which might be a nice area to sit, although the indoor area is a little nicer.

Next door to Shannon's is Cab's, which is more upscale, but still casual. A little pricier, but worth it.

In downtown Wheaton, there's a new restaurant called Ivy. We stopped in last night for appetizers & drinks and loved it. I think it's on Hale Street (in the old 120 Ocean Place location).

Hope this helps!

P.S. We live just down the road from Carlucci's and primarily only go there on Friday nights (penny wine night!). The food & atmosphere are just ok.

Sushi House in Westmont might be a good mid-way location (just off Kingery on Ogden). I haven't been in a while but it used to be pretty reliable for both sushi & hot dishes. Prices are reasonable & nice decor.

http://www.mysushihouse.com/sushi.asp?pgID=1002

I can't recall the name but there's an Italian place in the same strip mall there that I've had a few business dinners at some years ago & might be an option (it was mostly couples when I was there). Anyone recall the name?

I have a Sushi House grumble that is not totally relevant to the conversation at hand (I think it would be a fine place, though it is not as near to HP as I think the OP wants), but since it happened a couple of days ago...

Went to Sushi House in Wheaton (Danada) for lunch, sat at the bar. Decided to splurge and order the fish that looked good, rather than one of the lunch combos, so I spent about twice as much as I would have on a combo. While they were prepping the fish, the waitress asked if I would like some miso or a salad, and I accepted a miso.

$2.25 on my bill.

This is the first time I have ever paid for miso, anywhere, including Japan last month and every other Japanese place I have been in the US. Now, if all I had was a $3 hamachi maki, I guess I could understand that, but I ordered close to $30 of sushi. Anyway, it was good, but not as good as what I get at Yamado for less money with the miso included, so my choice is simple.

Charging for miso, grumble, grumble...

dicksond wrote:Charging for miso, grumble, grumble...

D,

'Bout 7-years ago I stopped in a newly opened Japanese restaurant, had a lunch bento box and finished the included rice before I was halfway done with the rest of the bento and asked for additional. I was charged $1 for the additional rice and was so irked I did not back, even though I liked the food and the location is convenient, for well over a year.

I'm happy I went back as Tampopo has since become one of my favorite restaurants, Japanese or otherwise.

Congrats are due to Tampopo as Mike Sula (m'th'su) picked them as Best Japanese Restaurant for the Reader's 2009 Best of Chicago

Enjoy,
Gary

Tampopo
5665 N Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL
773-561-2277

I have to amend my suggestion of the Epicurean Hungarian above. While they have lost their liquor license and do allow you to bring your own, they're charging a $7.50 corkage fee per bottle, according to both their website and a phone call. Make use of that info as you wish.