Publican/GirlGoat Substitute Dinner Rec

I've got a group of 10-12 for dinner Saturday evening, and would like to dine at Publican or Girl and the Goat but reservations for a big group are damn impossible, and not everyone in the group are foodies who would be down with sharing a bunch of smaller plates of awesome, but maybe too adventurous for them food. Any suggestions on new-American, possibly pork-leaning, restaurants that can accommodate a large group of varying levels of epicureanism? I've been thinking about Branch 27 or Blue 13, but haven't been to either. You can use the restaurants mentioned as a price reference, and I'm looking at W. Loop, Wicker Park/Bucktown area. Thanks in advance...and I'm open to suggestions of varying cuisines too.

Call Mado. They might be able to accomodate if you're flexible on the exact time you want to eat.

Lincoln Park isn't so far from Wicker Park (at least geographically). Maybe Kith & Kin could set you up in their back area?

Otom has a fun pedigree and the food (and wine/beer lists) sounds like a good fit.

Santander wrote:Otom has a fun pedigree and the food (and wine/beer lists) sounds like a good fit.

Good idea. And they are often empty (and therefore could probably accommodate a large group).

The Bristol might be a good option, though they can also be very busy on Saturdays. Still, it might be worth a call.

=R=

The Bristol
2152 N Damen
773-862-5555

May Street Market

ronnie_suburban wrote:The Bristol might be a good option, though they can also be very busy on Saturdays. Still, it might be worth a call.

Would they accept a reservation for a group that size? I know they don't normally take reservations, but some places that normally don't, will make an exception for a large group.

The Bluebird? Not sure on reservations.

nsxtasy wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:The Bristol might be a good option, though they can also be very busy on Saturdays. Still, it might be worth a call.

Would they accept a reservation for a group that size? I know they don't normally take reservations, but some places that normally don't, will make an exception for a large group.

Don't know. That's why I said it might be worth a call.

=R=

I am pretty sure the Bluebird doesn't take reservations for any group, though a call is always worth a shot.

How about Piccolo Sogno? It's in the vicinity...

Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided on Mexique, which ironically is one of the two places I was considering this time last year for my birthday dinner. Ended up at Mixteco last year, so I guess it's fitting that I'm going to Mexique this year. It isn't necessarily the type of place I initially set out to go to, but I'm excited about trying it out and they were able to accommodate a large group on short notice which was an issue with other places. Anyone been lately?

pigOut wrote:I decided on Mexique, which ironically is one of the two places I was considering this time last year for my birthday dinner... Anyone been lately?

The reports in the Mexique thread are consistently positive, but I went in the spring and had one of my most disappointing restaurant meals in Chicago ever. I don't remember all of the details, but we had what was supposed to be a rillette that I could barely eat because it had the texture of cat food and the flavor of nothing. We had a steak over a very funky (and not in a good way) pureed tuber. The chocolate enchiladas were primarily wrapper/crepe, far too doughy and crude. There are very, very few restaurants to which I wouldn't return; Mexique is one of them.

pigOut wrote:Thanks for all the suggestions. I decided on Mexique, which ironically is one of the two places I was considering this time last year for my birthday dinner. Ended up at Mixteco last year, so I guess it's fitting that I'm going to Mexique this year. It isn't necessarily the type of place I initially set out to go to, but I'm excited about trying it out and they were able to accommodate a large group on short notice which was an issue with other places. Anyone been lately?

I ate there last year and loved it. The cuisine is Mexican but with French and global influences; some of the dishes would fit on a contemporary American or contemporary global fusion menu, while others are stronger in their Mexican roots. I had braised short ribs and they were fantastic; they put them on the grill briefly to finish them and they had a thin crisp outside that was heavenly. (They were far better than a similar preparation at L2O.) The room is very bistro-ish, lively and casual. When I was there the chef-owner was stopping by tables to chat with diners, which I think is a good thing. Great choice!

happy_stomach wrote:

pigOut wrote:I decided on Mexique, which ironically is one of the two places I was considering this time last year for my birthday dinner... Anyone been lately?

The reports in the Mexique thread are consistently positive, but I went in the spring and had one of my most disappointing restaurant meals in Chicago ever. I don't remember all of the details, but we had what was supposed to be a rillette that I could barely eat because it had the texture of cat food and the flavor of nothing. We had a steak over a very funky (and not in a good way) pureed tuber. The chocolate enchiladas were primarily wrapper/crepe, far too doughy and crude. There are very, very few restaurants to which I wouldn't return; Mexique is one of them.

Wow - I ate there recently (about a month ago) for a friend's birthday and I couldn't agree more with respect to the rilletes . . . just awful. I can't remember too much about what else we had. Most of my friends (who are much less picky than I am) thought the meal was decent - everything I tasted was at best mediocre, but I would absolutely avoid the rilletes.