Dinner in Oak Brook
Dinner in Oak Brook
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Dinner in Oak Brook
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Post #1 - November 23rd, 2004, 11:53 amI will be in Oakbrook tomorrow night as we are staying there due to a 6 am flight on Thursday.
I am looking for a place in the $10-18 range for dinner. I would like some ideas of places in the area that are interesting. Greek, Mexican, whatever. I am NOT real picky (most of the time).
Thanks for your help.
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Post #2 - November 23rd, 2004, 4:27 pmNear the Oakbrook area there are a number of decent cheap ethnic places, particularly Indian/Pakistani restaurants west down Roosevelt and south on Midwest Rd/Cass Ave near Ogden. There is Viceroy of India (19w555 Roosevelt Rd, Lombard), Sri Ganesh (837 E. Roosevelt, Lombard), Shahi Nehari (800 E Roosevelt Rd, Lombard), Madras Palace (677 N Cass Ave, Westmont). Not sure if these were the kind of places you had in mind.
Pretty much everything else mid-priced in the area is part of a chain. Oakbrook Mall has the whole catalog of Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. I recommend Wildfire or Mon Ami Gabi. The others are sub par. Also near Oakbrook Mall is J. Alexander which is OK.
West on 22nd/Butterfield, there are also a number of places such as Weber Grill, P.F. Chang, and I beleive they just opened up a Reza's out there.
As for Greek, there is a Costa's on Summit between Butterfield and Roosevelt and a Greek Islands out west near Yorktown. Avoid Papagus in Oakbrook Mall.
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Post #3 - November 23rd, 2004, 5:46 pmI second the Costa's recommendation. I have gone to the Oakbrook Terrace (isn't that where it is?) location on two different occasions. The food seemed as good as the Greektown location.Steve Z.
“Only the pure in heart can make a good soup.”
― Ludwig van Beethoven
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Post #4 - November 23rd, 2004, 6:26 pmI actually like the Greek Islands in Lombard better than the Greek Islands downtown. Lao Sze Chuan in Westmont is fine, but not as good as the city location.
Rob
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Post #5 - November 24th, 2004, 9:37 amAs long as we're mentioning chains, might as well note Lombard's Hacienda (about as close as we get to Tex-Mex), and further west on Butterfield the dueling Portillos and Bouna megastores (burgers at Portillos are not too shabby), and the close-but-not-quite Fogo tribute restaurant Sal Y Carvao. Closer to OB you've got Giannotti's Italian Steakhouse, or whatever they are calling it now. The original Emilios still exists in Hillside, right? LSC in Westmont might not be as good as Chinatown, but I've found it to be very, very good. In my experience, it can be very tough to get into the wildly popular LYE places in the mall. Tough but not as tough are the "upscale" chains in Lombard that float, like Dallas restaurants, on their own greenscaped islands in Chicagoland's biggest parking lot. The Greek places and LSC are easy to get into.
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Post #6 - November 24th, 2004, 12:14 pmA little further west on Roosevelt is Dusit, quite a good Thai place that I have been meaning to post on. It is a new place, and I cannot find the address at the moment, but it is on the north side of Roosevelt in a strip mall a little bit west of Main Street. If you get to Finley, you have gone too far.
Having tried both, I much prefer Greek Islands to Costas. Why? I just think GI does a more Greek job on the classics, and I like their fish preparations better. Costas, however, has a much better show, with a clientele, on my one visit, that seemed like the young wise guys of the western suburbs and their ladies. Some impressive hair, etc. That part is quite entertaining.
In Westmont, south on Cass, there is Uncle Bub's which often has passable barbecue, though it fluctuates and I know some here dislike it. I have had pretty good stuff, and inexplicably lousy, both. Also a decent Japanese place, Yokohama. a Korean barbecue place I have always wanted to try, Korea Garden, and numerous Indian and Thai places, but the Lombard places are a bit more convenient.
If I had to choose one place, for $15, I would probably choose Dusit right now. But Greek Islands, Yokohama, Lao Sze Chuan are all decent choices, as is Viceroy of India. Costas would be pushing your price limit, IMO.
Hope that helps. Enjoy!
Yokohama Japanese Restaurant
13 East Burlington Avenue, Westmont, IL 60559
(630) 810-0022
Korea Garden
204 N Cass Avenue, Westmont, IL 60559
(630) 852-1900d
Feeling (south) loopy
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Post #7 - November 24th, 2004, 12:28 pmCan't really get excited about Korea Garden, except to the extent it's the only Korean around.
As long as were expanding the boundaries, I'll add Del Rhea's Chicken Basket down 83 at 55, which, being right off of 83, would take less time possibly than many already mentioned.
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Post #8 - February 3rd, 2006, 3:25 pmIs it a good idea to have restaurant reviews by suburb, or by restaurant? I could not find any posts on Greek Islands in Lombard, aside from this thread, so my longer posts must have been on CH. So I am adding this here.
It had been a while since I lunched at Greek Islands in Lombard, but it is still just fine. Tried to keep it a lighter lunch, so I actually did not even have any bread, but my companion said it is just as good as ever - crisp, flavorful crust, studded with toasted sesame seeds, and light bread. Skipped the Olive oil on the table, too - the butter is good, industrial restaurant grade.
Started with the fried smelt as an appetizer. The breading was a little greasier than in previous visits, and the smelt were not as crispy fresh, but this dish only suffers in comparison to past visits in peak smelt season - excellently crispy, fishy, and wonderful. A touch of salt in the batter highlights the flavor of the smelt. They now serve this with cocktail and tartar sauce in addition to a long row of lemon wedges, but I strongly suggest you go with the lemon or plain - anything else will mask the flavors.
Then we moved on to the fish chowder - Psarosoupa, described as a gumbo made with red snapper and grouper chunks. A slightly creamy chowder is more like it, with a touch of oregano to make it seem a Greek soup. Large chinks of carrot, potato, tomato added interest to the soup. The fish had simmered a bit too long to still be chunks - disintegrating into threads, or clumps of threads at most. Quite good.
We finished by sharing 1/2 chicken riganati with rice and potatoes. Roasted, herbed chicken in a pool of juice and olive oil.
As always, an excellent meal in a light, airy room with prompt and attentive service. Another place I need to visit more often.d
Feeling (south) loopy
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Post #9 - February 15th, 2011, 1:29 pmMellonhubby and I need to be in Oak Brook tonight and we're looking for a quick dinner. We usually end up at Tuscany but this time we're looking for something different. We need to be at the corner of 31st and York Road by 7pm so anything within 10 minutes of that area should work fine.
I'm not familiar with that neck of the woods (which is probably why we usually end up at Tuscany.)
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Post #10 - February 15th, 2011, 1:33 pmKaty's is the obvious answer to that question.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=7603&hilit=katy%27si used to milk cows
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Post #11 - February 15th, 2011, 1:40 pmArrgh! Please don't remind me of Katy's!
Sadly, on doctor's orders, I must stay away from the spicy goodness of Katy's (It's been over a year since I've been there and I miss the spicy dan dan noodles...)
Any 'mild' - i.e. no chili' - options that you'd recommend there?
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Post #12 - February 15th, 2011, 1:44 pmI know there are non-spicy options, but I'm not a regular so I don't know them off the top of my head. We get the non-spicy things for my kids (age 6&3), but they won't eat any of it anyway.
i used to milk cows
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Post #13 - February 15th, 2011, 1:56 pmMay I suggest a grand bone."Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
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Post #14 - February 15th, 2011, 2:08 pmThere's a Reza's on Cermak (22nd.)We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
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Post #15 - February 15th, 2011, 2:13 pmI would consider Labriola. It is minutes from Tuscany and has a lot of qualtiy food, a wide variety of pretty good sandwiches and interesting pizzas. Plus you can pick up some bread to take home! See Steve Dolinsky story here:
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?sectio ... id=6658403
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Post #16 - February 15th, 2011, 4:45 pmI'd probably go to Westchester Inn, at the far east end of the strip mall at 31st and Wolf, for some good Bohemian food.
Another option is Vie. As long as you don't get stuck by a train on the BN-SF tracks you must cross, it's about 10 minutes from 31st/York.
Both Katy's and Labriola Cafe are more than 10 minutes from 31st/York, perhaps a LOT more depending on the rush-hour traffic.
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Post #17 - February 15th, 2011, 6:33 pmWe really enjoy Antico Posto at the Oak Brook Mall. It's friendly and casual, and very fairly priced (yes, it's a LEYE restaurant, but you'd never know it). The ricotta gnocci there are fantastic....light and pillowy. Their red sauces are done very well, and I especially enjoy the arrabbiatta. The only entree that has ever disappointed me was a risotto with pork tenderloin. Risotto was nice, but the pork was overdone and covered in a salty marsala/brown sauce. One disappointment out of probably 2 dozen visits is acceptable in my book, though.
I realize the OP is probably finishing dessert by now, but maybe for next time....
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Post #18 - February 15th, 2011, 6:37 pm[quote=quote]Another option is Vie. As long as you don't get stuck by a train on the BN-SF tracks you must cross, it's about 10 minutes from 31st/York.
Vie is a great suggestion (probably need reservations)."Don't you ever underestimate the power of a female." Bootsy Collins
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Post #19 - February 15th, 2011, 9:08 pmI was recently at Parkers seafood. They have a great margherita pizza that Chicago Magazine voted one of the 25 best in Chicago. I had the braised pork rib pierogi appetizer with beets; just amazing. The bouillabaisse was one of the best I have had. Stay away from the organic de cecco penne all' arrabiata with grilled wild caught shrimp. I would rather have had prego with cocktail shrimp served over ramen noddles. The desserts were spectacular. Warm apple tart and pumpkin creme brulee is one of the best desserts I have had in a long time. The maple sugar cotton candy is probably the most fun I have had with a dessert at a nice restaurant. They had a nice wine and beer list. Service was attentive. For sometime different, I would say give them a try.
Parkers' Restaurant & Bar
1000 31st Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515-1214
(630) 960-5700
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Post #20 - February 16th, 2011, 3:18 pmThanks all for the suggestions. We ended up at Labriola - ordered the Alsatian pizza (bacon, carmelized onion, and fromage blanc) and split a salad. Perfect. Pretty good too - they'd make a killing in the city.
We left Labriola at 6:35 and made it to 31st and York by 6:45 - there was no traffic. It was totally sweet.
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Post #21 - April 16th, 2011, 3:12 pmMy family has been having a Girl's Night Out once a month in Oak Brook. So, here I am searching for restaurants that I can recommend as I'm not exactly that familiar with Oak Brook.
The group is a mix of women most in their 40's, and some 20s and 60's. Last time I said "How about Thai" and my Mom shut me off saying the group "isn't ready for Thai". We might have to stick to more typical American food.
We usually get there, order some mixed drinks and a bottle of wine to share, order some appetizers to share and have our entrees. We usually don't get dessert. Maybe someday we should skip the appetizers and go for the dessert if it'd be worth it.
For the record, here's where we have gone (since I joined the party):
J. Alexanders - I think it's a group favorite. I thought it was pretty good but not great. It is "the type of place" we are looking for though, pretty much.
Capri Restaurant - I hadn't realized we were limited to Oak Brook and recommended Capri in, I guess, Palos Heights, where the family once had a baby shower. Well, the family opinion is that Palos is better but Oak Brook is good too, so we went to the Oak Brook Capri. The food was quite good, the service wasn't great though. I have no idea if we'll go back. I also don't know about the service, we were a pretty obnoxious group, but the staff wasn't very flexible (we had arguments about keeping our menus).
Pappadeaux - The group really liked it. My experience was not that great, but I think I blew it - I had no idea there was a form of soft shell crab that was 90% shell with pretty much no body meat. By the time I sent that back and got something else it was just awkward. We might go back anyway, the group loves it, so I just may need to learn what to order.
Antico Posto - clearly a favorite of the group. I ordered a very similar seafood pasta dish both here and at Capri. It was much, much better at Capri, but not bad here. The service was better here than at Capri though.
Next we are going to Braxton's Seafood Grill. We are going Tuesday 4-19. I'll let you know how that went.
I'm hoping to come up with a suggestion for the next place, as the group has been a bit quiet about recommending places.
I searched the forum a bit and here was what I found on Oak Brook:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=31064&p=362750&hilit=oak+brook#p362750
I'll summarize that dinner recommendation post:
Tuscany's is where the people usually go so it wasn't talked about - so, what's so nice about Tuscany's? What kind of place is it?
Katy's was mentioned with this link - but apparently it's spicy food
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.ph ... t=katy%27s
It also looks more casual than where we are trying to go
I see the bone post about Grotto (more about making veal stock than anything), but there's also a rant about Grotto and a wealth of Italian restaurants, so I don't know.
There's a mention of Reza's - maybe I should mention it to the group since I could get three juicy charbroiled marinated quails for 17.95. Don't know if the group will go for Middle Eastern though.
Labriola isn't the right kind of place. We want a pretty nice dining room.
Westchester Inn was mentioned for Bohemian food. I can't find a web page or much info on them.
Antico Posto was mentioned. Our group went there and might go back (I already mentioned it above).
Vie was mentioned. It looks too expensive for our group, but I don't know...
There is also a post about Volare Restaurant in Oak Brook Terrace:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=17675&p=370043&hilit=oak+brook#p370043
Well, I probably will update this once a month with the place we went to and what it seemed like, and I certainly would be open to suggestions.
Thanks a lot!!
Nancy
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Post #22 - April 16th, 2011, 3:33 pmI highly recommend that you check out D.O.C. Wine Bar at Yorktown Mall. Very very charming environment with good drink and food - things like Ahi Tuna Sliders, Brie and Apple Flatbread, Italian Cheese Fondue, and so on.
There is a room with a fireplace and a great row of booths along the windows looking out on the street.
For what you are looking for - this is perfect.
You are right to avoid Katy's. Their food may be good, but if you find Labriola too casual, you will be shocked at how very casual Katy's is.
Capital Grille could work for you as well, but it is really just a steak house. I just thought of it because it is right near D.O.C. Wine Bar. I think of it often because of the amazing Lobster Mac and Cheese they have. I feel like it is worth going there just for that.
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Post #23 - April 16th, 2011, 3:45 pmHow far from Oak Brook are you willing to drive? I like D.O.C but it's in Lombard. Have you tried Cafe Amano in Elmhurst? Conversation friendly, good service, as "formal" as Antico Posto with a menu that includes small plates and fish.
Cafe Amano
105 S. York Rd
Elmhurst"The only thing I have to eat is Yoo-hoo and Cocoa puffs so if you want anything else, you have to bring it with you."
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Post #24 - April 16th, 2011, 8:54 pmI'm gonna suggest that you feel them out about Reza's. It's more meat and potatoes (well, rice, actually) than those who are unfamiliar with mid eastern food think. Sure, there's falafel, hummus, and baba g, but I go there for that, and ALSO the red meat, chicken and fish very simply seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, and then grilled. P.s. if you like mushrooms, the grilled mushrooms appetizer is simple and stellar, imo.We cannot be friends if you do not know the difference between Mayo and Miracle Whip.
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Post #25 - April 17th, 2011, 6:16 amThe Clubhouse is good. Its in the mall and it also has valet parking. Also Mc Cormick and Schmidt. Its on Butterfield near Oakbrook but not in the mall. Both of these places are upscale, casual classy type of places. I love Katy's but it is a hole in the wall and you do have to know what you are ordering.Toria
"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it" - As You Like It,
W. Shakespeare
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Post #26 - April 17th, 2011, 9:01 amDiannie wrote:How far from Oak Brook are you willing to drive? I like D.O.C but it's in Lombard. Have you tried Cafe Amano in Elmhurst? Conversation friendly, good service, as "formal" as Antico Posto with a menu that includes small plates and fish.
Cafe Amano
105 S. York Rd
Elmhurst
That is true, but D.O.C. Wine bar is only a five minute drive down Butterfield west from Oakbrook Mall.
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Post #27 - April 17th, 2011, 9:02 amThere is a restaurant in downtown Hinsdale called Il Poggiolo that I think you would enjoy. Nice atmosphere (the space used to be a small movie theater at one point and still has a "balcony" section) and good italian food. Also, for seafood in the area I much prefer Parkers' Restaurant in Downers Grove to Braxton......the last couple times I was at Braxton the seafood was past its prime. Hope you have better luck!
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Post #28 - April 17th, 2011, 9:06 amOne other place that I can highly recommend is Redstone. Very nice interior, great big open bar at the center with booths around the edges. Good food and drink.
And in the summer they have a great patio with a firepit where lots of people hang out and drink and eat.
Just a couple of minutes from Oakbrook mall west on Butterfied. Even closer to Oakbrook than D.O.C. Wine Bar.
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Post #29 - April 17th, 2011, 2:58 pmHow many people are usually in your party? Westchester Inn is a fine enough place, but it's pretty small and usually seniors. If you're looking for Bohemian food, I would recommend Bohemian Crystal in nearby Westmont.
http://www.bohemiancrystal.net/
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Post #30 - April 18th, 2011, 7:27 amThanks for the recommendations.
As for the party size, it's usually around 8-10 people.
Nancy