Special Occassion - Seafood, Italian, upscale Mexican?

Yes, I could search, but I'm feeling lazy. We're taking our intern and her husband out for her graduation dinner. We'd like to somewhere nice, but not L20/Alinea pricey. She's never tried Frontera so we thought that would be a great choice (she does like Mexican), but the only day she's available is Sunday and they're closed. Here are our requrements, help please:

Open on Sunday
Nice, but not pretentious atmosphere (I'd prefer not to have to wear heels and Justin doesn't own a jacket or tie.)
Simply good food (not over-the-top gastronomy or a tasting menu, i.e. Schwa/Moto, but she is a culinary student so she knows and likes good food)
Prefer locations in the Loop or southside/south suburbs (she is in Palos Park - thought about Vie but that's closed on Sundays too - drat!)

Where to go?

Salpicon
http://www.salpicon.com/
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7327&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=0

Darren72 wrote:Salpicon
http://www.salpicon.com/
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7327&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=0

I agree . . . sounds like Salpicon would be perfect. I actually prefer it to Frontera.

Mundial Cocina Mestiza, in Pilsen, on the South Side. My favorite of all the upscale Mexican restaurants in the city.

If you go there, don't miss the appetizer of steamed mussels slathered with strips of poblano pepper and chunks of bacon. Yummmm....

Cafe Spiaggia or Roy's. They are not in the loop, but they are not far from the loop.

Mundial Cocina Mestiza, in Pilsen, on the South Side. My favorite of all the upscale Mexican restaurants in the city.

Based on service alone, I would not consider Mundial a special occassion restaurant. Yes, the food can be very good, but I'd prefer someplace with wine and great service.

Cafe Spiaggia or Roy's.

Thanks. I think both of these would hit the mark and I've never been to either. Any feedback on whether Roy's feels to corporate/circus like?

I've loved every meal I've had at Cafe Spiaggia.

I haven't been to Roy's...because a friend who works nearby says it feels very corporate/chain-like.

I love Roy's. It's not cheap -- and almost every time I've been, i've been stuffed to the gills with incredibly rich food but oh, what a way to go. I think the atmosphere is laid back -- not necessarily what i would associate with Hawaii -- but certainly relaxing.

Is North Pond too far afield? I thought that might be a lovely way to celebrate a graduation. Something more upbeat and fun might be a place like Mercat a la Planxa -- and it's still Loopish.

I think Crofton on Wells is always a lovely place to eat -- although not exactly adventurous -- but always good.

North Pond & Crofton are definitely my kind of places, not so sure about the intern though. Mercat is a possibility although I really wanted the pig next time I went there and she doesn't eat pork.

Any thoughts on C-House?

C-House is good but it didn't blow me out of the water. Here's a recap of my one meal there.

Just had dinner at Roy's Sunday night. I thought it was great. Their Prix Fixe menu had exactly what I wanted, so I went that route. I had the sirloin and my wife had the butterfish. Both were excellent. The Hawaiian Martini (yes, I know, it's not really a Martini) is very good, but be careful if you're a light drinker. Two of these and you won't be (at least, shouldn't be) driving yourself home.

The rest of our group had the chocolate souffle for dessert, but I had the Keris Creamsicle Orange Yuzu Cake. Simply delicious.

I'd go back there without hesitation. Great food.