Dinner in the Loop, sort of...

So the Lovely Dining Companion's birthday is coming up and I'm taking her to see an 8 pm show on a Saturday night (somehow even getting great seats doesn't entirely strike me a fair recompense for that third mortgage!). So we have to be in the Loop at 8 pm on a Saturday and I don't want to have dinner very far away. That means a starting time in the 6 pm vicinity. I'm disinclined--because I think she'll be disinclined--to go to a place whose strength is a tasting menu. At the moment, my list includes Cafe des Architectes, Avenues, the Custom House, the Gage, Prairie Fire, and even Catch 35. But I don't want to omit something I should be considering. And yes, thank you, I've checked multiple relevant (and even irrelevant) threads.

I'd prefer being no farther north than River North. We're not ready to go back to Spiaggia or Les Nomades yet. And the menu at Naha just doesn't appeal (and more important, I don't think it will appeal to LDC either; please spare me the protests). Same with Graham Elliot. Won't go back to Topolobampo (look up my rant if you're so inclined). Not eager to return to Everest. Want something quietish and sedate-ish...and thus no to avec and Blackbird. What am I missing?

Haven't seen it mentioned much on here, but early feedback about the Gage's sister place, Henri, has been quite good. Alot has centered on the relative quietness of the room, too.

Lots -

Vivere (my pick)
South Water Kitchen
Atwood Cafe
Cibo Matto at The Witt
Rosebud Theater District
Italian Village?
Trattoria #10
Tavern in the Park (same folks as Keefers, but a lot quieter, nice views of the park from the 2nd floor)
312 Chicago
Aria
plus couple of other steak places (Mortons & S&W)

grahamhh wrote:Haven't seen it mentioned much on here, but early feedback about the Gage's sister place, Henri, has been quite good. Alot has centered on the relative quietness of the room, too.

I second this suggestion. It has the right intimacy and formality for a pre-show dinner.

Dean Zanella takes over at Rhapsody this month, and if his meals there are anything like they were at Aldino's, Italian cuisine in the Loop will benefit considerably:

http://www.rhapsodychicago.com/

Have you looked at the Renzo Piano menu? All of my meals there have been really lovely and the atmosphere is delightfully quiet and minimally designed, showcasing the streetwall.

I mean, Terzo Piano. (Renzo being the architect who designed it.) Sorry!

Terzo Piano is only open for dinner on Thursday nights, so that won't work for a Saturday night dinner.

Gypsy Boy wrote:At the moment, my list includes Cafe des Architectes, Avenues, the Custom House, the Gage, Prairie Fire, and even Catch 35.

Cafe des Architectes, Avenues, Custom House Tavern, and Prairie Fire are all roughly 3/4 mile from the theaters in the Loop. That's not a showstopper, but it's going to put some pressure on your meal in terms of time and the need to travel to get to the theater. And can become problematic if it's raining. Besides, there are quite a few places that are much closer, including the Gage and Catch 35.

Given what you've said you're interested in, there are three places recommended by Athena that would be at the top of my list. One is Cibo Matto, which I really like a lot. The decor is one of those knock-your-socks-off contemporary places that helps make the place really interesting. And I really loved the food there. The menu is Italian but a lot of the items could easily be found on the menu of a contemporary American bistro. One "don't miss" item is the "strawberry" dessert, the one that features the cardamom panna cotta. Sheer bliss.

The second is Vivere. The menu is somewhat similar to Cibo Matto, in that it hits all the usual Italian notes but it also has a lot of contemporary American bistro type items as well. The decor is so gawdy it's campy, but it works.

The third is Atwood Cafe. This is another very special place, with its overstuffed seating and the room below sidewalk level so passersby look down into the dining room. I haven't been there since Derek Simcik took over from Heather Terhune - the latter to Sable, which would be worth considering except that it's about a half mile north of the theaters - but I can only imagine that he's keeping up the quality of the contemporary American cuisine there.

All three of these are within a couple of blocks of most of the Loop theaters.

Wherever you go, when making your reservation, make sure to let the restaurant know exactly what time you would like to depart for the theater, and they should be able to pace your meal accordingly. If you're not sure what time to make the reservation for to meet your desired time, call them to ask. Most of the restaurants in the Loop itself seem to be geared to theatergoers and their time constraints, more so than places north or west of the river.

Have you thought about Trattoria No. 10 at 10 N. Dearborn?
It's comfortable, quiet, the Italian menu is not very original but still quite attractive, especially the ravioli dishes. .The service is good, the wine list fine, and you can walk to your show in a few minutes.
But I have to confess that I have not been there in years...
So perhaps it is not as reliable as it used to be.
Alain

Sepia
123 n. jefferson st
Chicago, IL 60661
(312) 441-1920
http://sepiachicago.com/

I just had a lovely dinner at

Henri
http://henrichicago.com/
18 S. Michigan
Chicago, IL

Sepia or Henri could fit the bill as mentioned above. I really do like the room at Cafe des Architectes, but their menus are all over the place in my experience (out of date online, some items not available in person when you do go), so call in advance to check. I've had most luck with brunch there.

Have you been to Russian Tea Time lately? Certainly quiet, and some nice touches in the Uzbeki dishes and teas. You two would likely charm them into good conversation and current recommendations, cool service being my main reservation with the place.

Gypsy Boy wrote:even Catch 35.

Catch 35 is really very underrated. I always enjoy meals there. The fish is always fresh and good and given just enough of a creative twist to elevate it from mundane choices. It's definitely sedate, too.

A plus is that you can leave your car with their valet while you're at the theater (also true for the Italian Village complex). And I'm not sure they still have this deal, but Catch 35 used to comp parking for Goodman patrons.