Adult birthday dinner with kids in Algonquin area?

The map I keep of LTH-recommended places I want to try has very few pushpins out around Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills. I need to find a kid-suitable (5-18) place for an adult's birthday dinner in that area. Kanimari and Sushi Wasabi are out (adult in question doesn't like sushi) and I'm guessing that 1776 and Port Edward (if the latter is even still open?) are too cozy, romantic, and pricey to take a group to. Anybody have any other suggestions? I know there are a lot of restaurants out around Randall Rd; I'm just not familiar with the area. Maybe we'd have better luck taking I-90 to someplace in Arlington Heights?

Pappadeaux, perhaps?

Check out - http://www.montarra.com/menu.cfm - I've never been there. Recommended by a client in the area.

I'm not sure of the total number in your party, but I'm going to assume an extended family size group. If that is the case there are a lot of options but nothing that is going to make you wish you lived out here maybe with the exception of my first recommendation:

If Thurs or Friday, I would call Cafe Roma http://www.tastecaferoma.com/ and see if they can accomodate. They are closed Sat and Sun thus the day of week factor. This is listed as Elgin, but it's north of I-90 just off the interstate. Great fresh and closer to authentic Italian food and not too pricey. It's a very friendly place, there are some options for the youngsters, but they have limited hours.

If it was a guys birthday with a bunch of guys who like eye candy and mediocre bar food then twisted kilt (Hooters with kilts instead of orange shorts) would be a must.

Up Randall, you have chain after chain after chain (Biaggis, Famous Daves, Houlihans, Bonefish Grill, etc. etc.). There are some large format bar type operations such as Rookies (bar food), Barley House (little more upscale bar food), and a new one called Thirsty Whale (have not tried but assume bar food).

In West Dundee you have Franchesca's Campagna (part of the Franchesca's chain), and Regina's http://www.reginas.net/ for Italian, and up the road on Highway 31 you have Cucina Bella http://www.cucinabellaalgonquin.com/in downtown Algonquin - all can accomodate a group. Out of the three, I think Franchesca's is probably the toughest for kids. A lot of people like Regina's I've only eaten appetizers (mussels) but I liked those and their wine list. In Algonquin, a ways away from the Randall mess is an Italian restaurant called Mandiles http://www.mandilesrestaurant.com/. I have not tried it, but it also gets good word of mouth.

Across the street from Franchesca's is Emmetts Alehouse. Their food appeals to some people but it's their beer I go for. In my opinion the menu is heavy on entrees that sound good and are priced like they are good but miss their mark.

Even though sushi is out, two sushi and hibachi places are Kiku in Carpentersville (excellent and right off Randall) and Kobe in Algonquin/Lake in the Hills (also very good and friendly service). I think Kaminari also has hibachi type options in their menu, but they don't have the Benihana type seating like the other two - again assuming a fairly large group. Oh yeah, I think Kobe does (or at least used to do) a birthday dinner special.

I could recommend Taqueria after Taqueria in the area, but that's not going to work for the group. I would avoid any large scale Mexican or Tex Mex place in the area. You're just not going to get a good meal. Also avoid Cheeseburger in Paradise in Algonquin Commons if it's still open.

Once you get up to Crystal Lake, there are many more options but I have only tried a few:

Duke's Alehouse http://www.thedukeabides.com/ - local and organic upscale bar food
Krystal Thai - Good thai, but not really for a group
Wild Orchid Thai Bisto - better for a group
Benedicts La Strata - http://www.benedictseggs.com/Limited but excellent dinner menu Friday and Saturday only and at the Crystal Lake location only. I don't think the web site has the dinner menu, you might have to call.

In general, you probably don't need to pack up the group and take them all the way to Arlington Heights.

Thanks, Mike! That's a good rundown. Kobe sounds interesting, because although sushi's out (except for me) the guest of honor does like Benihana / Japanese steakhouse food. Need to research its kid-friendliness. Cafe Roma and other Italian options sound interesting too.

I looked at the Pappadeaux menu on line, and while the adults would be delighted with it, and there are some steak and chicken options, I don't know how well such a seafood-focused place would go over with some of the pickier youngster. Might have to save Pappadeaux for date night.

Thanks again!