Damn You, Enoteca Roma! (New Years Suggestions Please)

I made a reservation for Enoteca Roma for New Years' Eve and nothing was mentioned about special menus. Luckily I went back to the website very recently to check the address and saw the notice! I called to confirm, and yes, they were only serving from this special menu, $55 per person with wine included. Mr. Pie does not like wine, and $110 is a lot for us to drop on a meal.

We will be in the California/Diversey area (Logan Square) later that evening for a party. I'd like some suggestions for an attractive, quiet place here or within a reasonable distance in the area. I'm not in the mood for Asian, and a tab around $80 would be better. No Don Juan's please, we seem to do that every year.

Thank you!

If you don't like wine, you would be well advised to avoid enotecas altogether, not just at New Year.

I don't really know the area, but have heard enough good things to suggest that these places might be worth looking into.

Rustico Grill - 2515 N. California Ave. - Chicago (Logan Square)
Bonsoiree Cafe & Delicacies - 2728 W. Armitage Ave. - Chicago (Logan Square)

Might push your ideal price point a bit, but still worth the inquiry.

mrbarolo wrote:If you don't like wine, you would be well advised to avoid enotecas altogether, not just at New Year.

I rather like wine (though I'm not an enthusiast), but Mr. Pie doesn't. He's more a beer/Seven & 7/Rum & Coke kinda guy.

mrbarolo wrote:Might push your ideal price point a bit, but still worth the inquiry.

Bonsoiree is well above the stated budget even when it's NOT New Year's Eve!!! (Their menu starts at the $55/person point that is causing the need to search elsewhere.)

If Mexican works for you, in addition to Rustico Grill, that area is also home to the Real Tenochtitlan (one of Geno Bahena's places) and the second location of Fuego. According to Opentable, Real Tenochtitlan offers their regular menu till 8 pm, but after that, only a special $65 4-course menu.

Lula is also there, but might stretch the budget. No word on their website on their NYE plans.

Pie Lady wrote:I made a reservation for Enoteca Roma for New Years' Eve and nothing was mentioned about special menus. Luckily I went back to the website very recently to check the address and saw the notice! I called to confirm, and yes, they were only serving from this special menu, $55 per person with wine included. Mr. Pie does not like wine, and $110 is a lot for us to drop on a meal.

We will be in the California/Diversey area (Logan Square) later that evening for a party. I'd like some suggestions for an attractive, quiet place here or within a reasonable distance in the area. I'm not in the mood for Asian, and a tab around $80 would be better. No Don Juan's please, we seem to do that every year.

Thank you!

In the past, Sapori has done strictly a la carte for New Year's Eve. Solid (not spectacular) Italian and well within your price range.

Sapori Trattoria
2701 N. Halsted Street
(773) 832-9999

nsxtasy wrote: According to Opentable, Real Tenochtitlan offers their regular menu till 8 pm, but after that, only a special $65 4-course menu.

Yes, I would be making reservations for about 7:30, in case other people wondered that same thing.

And yes, Mexican is certainly a possibility! Mmmm, chorizo.

Sapori is not very good and not in logan square. How about Buona Terra on California & Logan?

daruma wrote:Sapori is not very good and not in logan square. How about Buona Terra on California & Logan?

The request was for something within a reasonable distance from California & Diversey. Halsted & Diversey to California & Diversey is about a 15 minute trip. I happen to like Sapori, but there are certainly those who don't. The Sapori thread has more. FWIW, I went for NYE a few years ago and had a lovely time.

I don't know how quiet any place is for New Year's Eve, but is Lula Cafe open? Great food. If they aren't doing a special NYE meal then you should have no trouble meeting your price requirements. Unfortunately, GNR Sweets & Savories is doing a special NYE meal & it's $60/person. That said, it is 4 courses & it is also BYOB if that makes a difference. I believe you could have wine & Mr. could have beer.

I don't know what their New Year's Eve menus will be like, but a few places in the general vicinity (or at least no further than Enotoca Roma) might be:

Treat
1616 North Kedzie Ave

El Nandu
2731 West Fullerton Ave

Knew
2556 W. Fullerton Ave.

Orbit Room
2959 N. California

Also, Enotoca Roma does serve other beverages besides wine. I recall them having a fairly decent beer list actually.

Not too far from Enoteca Roma and just a quick shot down California from your destination is Maiz (LTH thread here). I would be surprised if they have anything special going on for New Years, but I am not sure whether they take reservations. In addition to very good food, I have found Maiz to be very inviting this time of year. You can easily have a few drinks and stuff yourselves for less than $80.

Maiz
1041 N California Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 276-3149