Dinner with an out of town guest near MCA?

We are going to attend Tuesday's on the Terrace at the MCA today, my cousin is in from Swtizerland where shes earning her PHD in computer science. We would like to go to dinner but don't need to go anywhere too fancy or too expensive, shes been in Chicago before and weve done Pizza. I was thinking a quick cab to Mercat A La Plancha (which I love btw) but that too may be out of our price range...any suggestions?

The MCA offers a buffet which might be a nice choice - I've had some good lunches at Pucks there in the past. http://www.mcachicago.org/information/p ... ge=totmenu

If you're dining aftrwards, I'd head to Sable for food and cocktails - great prices on such very good and fun food - and maybe nice or your guest to sample Cf Trhune's work before her upcoming Top Chef season? I took friends two weeks ago and weadsuch a great meal at a very reasonable price.

I'm a Mercat fan but find it more of a splurge.

I like the Francesca's restaurants and there's one on Chestnut and Mies Van der Rohe, a block from the MCA. The wine bar in the lower level is supposed to be nice. You wouldn't be far from Cafe Iberico on LaSalle at Chicago Ave., which could be affordable. I've not been to the Purple Pig yet and I'd imagine it could work for you as well and is closer than Mercat. (sorry -- dont' have time to add the addresses/phone #s.)

FWIW, I'm not a fan of the food at the MCA. If Mercat does fit your budget, then I'd suggest Purple Pig (just had a killer, killer meal there) or Balsan at The Elysian, both within walking distance of the museum. For a less expensive meal, I'd go to Xoco or have a bowl of ramen at Ginza, both very walkable, too. Sometimes I just want a snack after Tuesdays at the MCA and will walk to Fox & Obel for their cafe and/or bakery.

Siun wrote:If you're dining aftrwards, I'd head to Sable for food and cocktails - great prices on such very good and fun food - and maybe nice or your guest to sample Cf Trhune's work before her upcoming Top Chef season? I took friends two weeks ago and weadsuch a great meal at a very reasonable price.

I agree. We had dinner at Sable again a week ago and it was one of the best dinners I've had in the past year. I love the way most of the dishes are available in half portions, so you can try so many things. (Two of us split 7 savory half portions and two desserts.) Virtually all of them were absolutely delicious; this time, standouts included the corned beef reuben strudel, the pistachio duck sausage, the sweet corn creme brulee, and the orange-buttermilk panna cotta. And you're right, it's remarkably reasonable in price. The mixology team is great for those who enjoy craft cocktails. And if your friends enjoy seeing a well-known chef at work, whenever Chef is in the house, you can see her on the line, chopping and prepping alongside her staff.