Avec, Purple Pig or Longman & Eagle

Two NY chowhounds going out for our anniversary while the in-laws stay with the baby. Leaning towards avec, but happy to hear if anyone strongly suggests one of the other two options. Interested in incredible food and fun atmosphere over "romantic". Thanks!

I love all of these restaurants. I get down on Avec because of the long waits but the food is really brilliant. The Purple Pig is also really terrific but to me it works better as a late lunch/boozy happy hour then destination dinner. For my money Longman and Eagle has the best vibe, I love that this place exists in an unpolished neighborhood and they are cranking out superb, creative dishes. If I had one of the three to choose right now it world be Longman & Eagle.

I definitely know what my choice would be. My wife and I are celebrating our anniversary this weekend at Longman & Eagle

Although you really can't go wrong with any of those choices.

Are the waits at Longman significantly shorter than Avec?
And is there one of this which would be more "different" than something in NY?

I'd do Longman & Eagle, or if they're looking for something a little romantic (but not quite as good IMO), I'd do Nightwood. In my experience, Longman will just as long, if not a longer wait than Avec, and unless they specifically request the back of the patio, it will likely be noisy and cramped. So yeah...I would get to Longman early, maybe request a seat in the back room/outside, and drink whiskey.

hmm, ok, so no one going for avec, ah?
if we did longman, what shall we order (i know the menu changes often, but are there some classics?)

renatica wrote:hmm, ok, so no one going for avec, ah?
if we did longman, what shall we order (i know the menu changes often, but are there some classics?)

Anything. Literally every entree I've had there has been nothing short of phenomenal. The "small bites" can be kind of hit or miss.

Interesting responses thus far . . .

I've been to L&E four times, and for me, the food hasn't come close to the food at either Avec or the Purple Pig. Of the three, I prefer the vibe at Avec the best, and I probably prefer the food at Avec, too. I think Avec delivers at a more refined level than the other two, and with better execution.

Where I've found the Purple Pig to shine is the way they incorporate seasonal ingredients into simple, yet delicious, dishes. I like the food at the Purple Pig nearly as much as at Avec - - I just think for folks from New York, the Purple Pig may seem a bit too corporate or touristy.

All three can be very noisy. The backroom at L&E is fairly quiet, but it's also pretty boring - - you feel like you're missing the action.

The waits will likely be rather wretched at all three, unless you go early. I like that you can stand outside at Avec and have a drink while waiting, though. For me, even though you're standing adjacent to Randolph Street, it's better than standing in a cramped space.

Ronna

While I've never been to L&E, I have been to both Purple Pig and Avec, and prefer the latter.

But really, I'm only chiming in to agree with Ronna that it is quite a pleasant experience to wait for a table at Avec sipping one of their great wines or beers. Particularly on a warm, summer evening.

I've had hits and misses (but mostly hits) at both Avec and L & E. Both are great, though the style of food is a little different. The food at Avec is more rustic and stays closer to its Mediterranean influences. I haven't been to the Purple Pig. If you like wine, Avec will have a much more interesting selection. If you like whiskey (or cocktails in general), L&E is better. The waits at L&E are probably longer on average. If waits are a big deal, you could go to the Publican, which takes reservations. Avec has communal seating; L&E sometimes feels like it does!

Have a great trip and report back on your meal.

If I had one restaurant to go to in Chicago it would be Avec. I've been to all 3, though only once at L&E so far. They are all good, and as noted, have different foci. My preference is always Avec.

I would also choose Avec, and agree w Ronna about PP feeling "touristy".

I've had food from all three, and I'd have to give an enthusiastic endorsement to Avec. From the whole roasted fish, the devil egg crostini, the sturgeon, and even the hanger steak were all dishes worthy of reverie.

Cocktails are supremely superior at L+H, and the food often hits high marks. The chefs there are a bit young; thus there will occasionally be some misfires in execution.

I had a to go meal from purple pig and I was left very, very disappointed. However, I have never had a meal inside the confines.

Those siding with Avec have stated my thoughts well, so I'll leave it at that . . . and a strong endorsement of Avec.

Avec! I haven't been to Purple Pig, and while I like L&E I thought the food was much more inconsistent and sometimes underseasoned. There are so many stellar dishes at Avec, including those already mentioned, as well as, the focaccia, pork shoulder, and dates.

I've only been to Avec and PP. Each are great places and you might as well hit BOTH!
I'd lean towards Avec if you can only try one because I've had nothing but great experiences at all of Chef Kahan's restaurants; Avec, Blackbird and Publican.

Have yet to make it out to Purple Pig, but of avec and L&E, avec gets my vote, for reasons already well stated.

Regarding the wait at Avec, you can either have a drink and wait outside like others have mentioned, or you can go down a few doors to a sushi place (can't recall the name), have a drink and Avec will call you on your cell. The sushi place let us take our drinks with us in their glasses. Apparently, they are used to people waiting at their bar for Avec. I have to admit I liked walking down the block carrying a martini.

That would be Meiji.

623 West Randolph Street
Chicago, Illinois 60661
(312) 887-9999
http://www.meijirestaurant.com/

Just to throw a wrench in here, consider Owen & Engine. I've been very impressed every time I've been there. Not particularly crowded and off the beaten path.

renatica wrote:hmm, ok, so no one going for avec, ah?
if we did longman, what shall we order (i know the menu changes often, but are there some classics?)

My two favorites right now at Longman & Eagle are the Lobster/Bacon/Parsnip Puree Parfait and the Chanterelle/Truffle/Veal Heart Agnolotti. At Avec I really like the Chorizo Stuffed Dates and the Pork Shoulder.

If you don't lean towards one or the other after looking at the menus, just flip a coin. You can't go wrong with either place.

Working within the parameters posed by the OP - choose ONE between Avec, PP, or L&E - I would choose Avec. That's not in any way a knock on the other two it's just that the food at Avec really blows me away and, as noted, the waiting space issue is considerably more pleasant. If the OP does choose Avec then do consider the bar seating - it can speed up the process and with just two people it's easy to enjoy the meal and have conversation (sometimes easier than at a shared table).

I haven't been to PP, and I'd rather belly up at the bar at L&E (and it's perfect before a Logan Square Auditorium show), but I'll have to say that the food at Avec edges out L&E. The Publican still reigns supreme for me.

Avec. Been to Avec many times and always delicious. I bring people there from out of town. The chef is very talented and the food is always well executed. worth the wait. down side is communal seating which is not romantic from an anniversary standpoint.
happy anniversary.

IMHO Just went to PP and thought it was very mediocre.Seating is primarily bar stools which i'm not a fan of. Have not been to L&E but have heard very mixed reviews. I strongly vote for Avec. enjoy.

als2554 wrote:IMHO Just went to PP and thought it was very mediocre.Seating is primarily bar stools which i'm not a fan of. Have not been to L&E but have heard very mixed reviews. I strongly vote for Avec. enjoy.

I second this. I was just at The Purple Pig on Monday and everything we had was oversalted, from the salad with far too many fried capers to the testa, which while good, was perfectly flavored before the extra salt was added.

Another echo for Avec. L&E for me has been inconsistent on dinner as well. Their Brunch has been superb on the other hand.

To me Avec has a great vibe, killer food, and yes the wait can suck, but post up outside and have a glass of vino. Relax.

I've had amazing dinners at L&E and Purple Pig. I've also had mediocre dinners at both. I have yet to dine at Avec (there was a large wait at the time). Of the three, I've never had a problem seating (relatively) right away at Purple Pig.

OK- Avec it will be. We've been at Publican, so we'd rather not repeat as we go out to eat in Chicago every so often. I'll post to report! Thanks for the advice.

Ok, so we went to Avec and had a most most wonderful meal. One of my favorite meals in Chicago, ever. Our original flight was extremely delayed from Ny, so our actual anniversary dinner took place in the Indianapolis airport. Charming So we ended up going to avec with another couple, which was a great way to try other things. In order of preference:

- english pea crostini with pickled feta
- pork shoulder
- chorizo stuffed dates
- soft shell crab
- whole roasted dourade
- baby greens
- olives

for dessert we had a blueberry pot de creme with pecan struddle, delicious.

we really enjoyed everything. I would say the dourade was the least exciting of the dishes- I've had it before in many other places- but it was perfectly cooked. If it hadn't been in the context of the other stuff, I would have been delighted by it. That pea crostini was PERFECTION. I have to admit I am slightly obsessed with fresh peas, but the combo with the pickled feta was incredible.

got there at 7:15 and sat at 8. Perfect time to enjoy a chilled rose cava outside, and get hungry enough. If it wasnt because we have reservations for Girl and the Goat, we are planning to go to Longman and Eagle and i am still digesting the huaraches from the Maxwell market yesterday, I would be heading back there ASAP.

Fabulous, fabulous place! thanks for the recs.