Sepia, Province or Prairie Fire...lunch near Ogilvie?

Okay LTHers...help me out...seeking opinions/preferences.

I am meeting my wife for lunch tomorrow near Ogilvie Metra for lunch. I narrowed it down to the three aforementioned spots. Where would you go?

They are very different. I think Province was loud, at dinner, but it has hard surfaces.

Prairie Fire is one of our go-to places, great food and service, plus it's carpeted so much easier to hear, but it is not an adventurous menu. That said much is sourced from local farmers and it is seasonal, and always delicious.

I've not been to Sepia. I think a lot depends on what you are looking for.

Are Avec & Blackbird closed or just off your list of options in the nearby area, again, what are your likes/interests?

pairs4life wrote:Are Avec & Blackbird closed or just off your list of options in the nearby area, again, what are your likes/interest?

Avec is not open for lunch.

I've been to both Prairie Fire and Province and was underwhelmed by both -- so as much as they help fill a need for more lunch spots in the Loop, they didn't stand out to me as anything special. Haven't been to Sepia, but my husband has and he liked it very much. Blackbird is always very nice for lunch, too....

Also, not sure if this suggestion is too "grab-and-go-ish," but the French Market is right there, as well, and is certainly at least worth a looksie if you've never been.

pairs4life wrote:They are very different. I think Province was loud, at dinner, but it has hard surfaces.

Prairie Fire is one of our go-to places, great food and service, plus it's carpeted so much easier to hear, but it is not an adventurous menu. That said much is sourced from local farmers and it is seasonal, and always delicious.

I've not been to Sepia. I think a lot depends on what you are looking for.

Are Avec & Blackbird closed or just off your list of options in the nearby area, again, what are your likes/interest?

All of the menus looked good and somewhat similar. I visited each website and the photos of Province seemed to indicate that it was the least cozy of the three (although the menu interested me a bit more than the other two). I live near Prairie Grass and think it's good. Based on pure gut feel, having checked out the websites I am leaning toward Sepia. (on the basis of solely the posted menus ...I'd probably go opt for Province). Avec doesn't offer lunch and Blackbird looks a bit sterile...although I hear the food is good.

nsxtasy wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Are Avec & Blackbird closed or just off your list of options in the nearby area, again, what are your likes/interest?

Avec is not open for lunch.

Sorry went for an early meal ( it was still light outside so I must have forgotten it was after 5pm).

pairs4life wrote:

nsxtasy wrote:

pairs4life wrote:Are Avec & Blackbird closed or just off your list of options in the nearby area, again, what are your likes/interest?

Avec is not open for lunch.

Sorry went for an early meal ( it was still light outside so I must have forgotten it was after 5pm).

They open earlier than that, maybe 3:30 or so? But not for a traditional noonish lunch time.

Left decision in wife's hands. After perusing the menus online she chose Prairie Fire. Very pleasant lunch. I had Gruyere & mushroom crepe, she had the butternut squash soup with a grilled chicken salad. Everything, food and service, was very good. I wouldn't call it a knock your socks off culinary experience....but rather a more than adequate lunch. I would recommend it.

Jerry D wrote:Left decision in wife's hands. After perusing the menus online she chose Prairie Fire. Very pleasant lunch. I had Gruyere & mushroom crepe, she had the butternut squash soup with a grilled chicken salad. Everything, food and service, was very good. I wouldn't call it a knock your socks off culinary experience....but rather a more than adequate lunch. I would recommend it.

I'm glad it worked out. Thanks for letting us know. Prairie Fire is what you wish a basic restaurant did.. Hey, you didn't have Mom's Pie? Next time. It changes all of the time.

I know the original poster made their decision and was (adequately) happy with the meal, but just so no future readers are confused: Sepia is leaps and bounds better than Prairie Fire and Province. I've been to all three (lunch and dinner) and there is simply no comparison. Better atmosphere, better drinks, significantly better food. Province and Prairie Fire should both be closed in the next 2-3 years, Sepia will be around for the long haul. It's one of the best in the city, particularly for dinner or business lunch.

Possumlad wrote:I know the original poster made their decision and was (adequately) happy with the meal, but just so no future readers are confused: Sepia is leaps and bounds better than Prairie Fire and Province. I've been to all three (lunch and dinner) and there is simply no comparison. Better atmosphere, better drinks, significantly better food. Province and Prairie Fire should both be closed in the next 2-3 years, Sepia will be around for the long haul. It's one of the best in the city, particularly for dinner or business lunch.

I have friends who work at all 3 of these restaurants (and am also an investor at Prairie Fire) and I think this is one of the most ridiculous statements I've read in a long time. The asethetic at each of these places is so completely different, it's pointless to compare them. I think they each do a great job of fullfilling their missions, which are all very distinctive.

=R=

Possumlad wrote:I know the original poster made their decision and was (adequately) happy with the meal, but just so no future readers are confused: Sepia is leaps and bounds better than Prairie Fire and Province. I've been to all three (lunch and dinner) and there is simply no comparison. Better atmosphere, better drinks, significantly better food. Province and Prairie Fire should both be closed in the next 2-3 years, Sepia will be around for the long haul. It's one of the best in the city, particularly for dinner or business lunch.

Very Kanye-esque.

I wouldn't make predictions on any particular restaurant closing just because you think it's not as good as another place.

Now, if you predict a place will close because nobody ever goes there - and not in the Yogi Berra sense - that might have a better chance of coming true.

Agreed Nxtasy - my prediction is based on A) Attendance when I've been there (both are typically dead, even at near-peak hours), and B) The general below-average mediocrity of the entire dining experience. My statement was meant to create contrast between what are/will be there-then-gone restaurants (as about 80% of restaurants are, within 5-7 years), and one that I believe will be a longstanding member of the Chicago dining scene.

Possumlad wrote:Agreed Nxtasy - my prediction is based on A) Attendance when I've been there (both are typically dead, even at near-peak hours), and B) The general below-average mediocrity of the entire dining experience. My statement was meant to create contrast between what are/will be there-then-gone restaurants (as about 80% of restaurants are, within 5-7 years), and one that I believe will be a longstanding member of the Chicago dining scene.

I was recently at Sepia on a Friday night and the dining room was never more than half-full. I didn't think it meant anything in terms of their likely longevity.

=R=

To summarize:

1) Possumlad believes both Prairie Fire and Province are below-average (both in terms of food and atmosphere, regardless of what they're "trying to go for"), and best avoided during any part of the day.
2) Possumlad also believes that Sepia is significantly above average (food and atmosphere), and recommends it for both lunch and dinner.
3) Because Prairie Fire and Province are below-average, and never seem to be busy, Possumlad also doesn't believe they'll last 2-3 more years in a very competitive dining scene.
4) By contrast, ronnie_suburban, an investor in Prairie Fire, believes that Province and Prairie are good at what they do, will perhaps be around more than 2-3 years, and (I would guess) hopes you go to Prairie Fire for lunch and dinner as often as your budget will allow.
5) ronnie_suburban was also recently @ Sepia on a half-full Friday night, but doesn't think this says much about their longevity.

I agree with Ronnie's last point, as people tend to eventually recognize/frequent an excellent restaurant, especially after they receive a Michelin star.

I've never been to Sepia, but I've seen both Province and Prairie Fire busy (and not on the weekend). I've also enjoyed my meals at both.

As for how long each will be around, nobody knows that for sure. Just look at Mado.

Is Possumlad the alter-ego of NAVMAN & I Do It Daily?

Possumlad wrote:4) By contrast, ronnie_suburban, an investor in Prairie Fire, believes that Province and Prairie are good at what they do, will perhaps be around more than 2-3 years, and (I would guess) hopes you go to Prairie Fire for lunch and dinner as often as your budget will allow.

Yes. Twice daily, please.

=R=

I probably have a bit too much ego ,but no others that I know of...

I'm actually a constant reader but lackluster poster. I'll keep my posts a bit more civil in the future -- just a bit stressful at the office today.

Ronnie -- as an olive branch, I commit to trying Prairie Fire again for lunch!

Now that we are all getting along I can't get enough of Lange these days both 808 & Heartbreaks & MY Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.

Possumlad wrote:I'm actually a constant reader but lackluster poster. I'll keep my posts a bit more civil in the future -- just a bit stressful at the office today.

I thought you were plenty civil, so no worries there.

Possumlad wrote:Ronnie -- as an olive branch, I commit to trying Prairie Fire again for lunch!

I hope you do and that you enjoy it more than you have on your previous visits. If not, as you know, Sepia's right around the corner!

Happy new year!

=R=