Restaurants near Royal George Theater

The first week of December I'm going to the Royal George to see Hershey Felder's new production, Monsieur Chopin. Since I'm from the far northern suburbs, I'm not familiar with the restaurants in the area. What would be good after the show?

Boka is only about a block north -- I was there once and had a very good meal. They serve upscale American food. Boka's owners just opened up Landmark, also within a block from the theater. I was there a couple of weeks ago and had an average meal -- decent, but not overly impressive. I much preferred Boka.

Also very close is Vinci for Italian. Haven't been there in quite a while but I remember it being very good.

Cafe Babareeba is about a 1/2 mile north on Halsted and I think it's the best of the Spanish tapas choices in the city.

Of course, there's also Alinea . . . but that's an evening in and of itself!

Unless you are going to see a matinee, your post-theater options right in the neighborhood are limited. First, not many places are open much past 10 p.m. Second, the two parking garages nearby both typically require that you move your car within half an hour after the show ends.

My suggestions would be to either eat beforehand (in which case there are lots of options within walking distance, including several whose valet will happily park your car before dinner and let you retrieve it after show) or head for Greektown or Chinatown afterwards.

If the show is a matinee, or you want to eat early, my top choice would be Vinci, which offers regional Italian fare -- very good pastas, cacciucco and the not-to-be-missed polenta con funghi.

Vinci
312/266-1199
www.davinci-group.com
1732 N. Halsted St.
Chicago, IL 60614

We usually eat before theater, and normally go to Vinci. The food is good (I recently had some butternut squash gnocci with a ragu sauce that were one of the best things I have ever eaten) and both the food and wine are reasonably priced. You also can join their frequent eater's club and get points toward free food (they also own a Mexican-ish place whose name I can't remember)

LAZ wrote:Unless you are going to see a matinee, your post-theater options right in the neighborhood are limited. First, not many places are open much past 10 p.m. Second, the two parking garages nearby both typically require that you move your car within half an hour after the show ends.

The reason we were planning to eat afterward is that we had plans to go to afternoon tea at the Drake. Considering Laz's comments we may have to reconsider how we could eat before the show which is at 8:00.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Jesper

actually you can dine at Vinci or Boka or Landmark or Alinea and leave your car with the valet. The same company is on the whole block. I live in the neighborhood and you can leave your car til 3 am. Landmark does a booming bar biz on the weekends and kitchen is open late. I believe Vinci and Boka's kitch stay open til atleast 10:30 to satisfy the late night after theatre crowd. Landmark's crowd is younger and hipper and they have bar menu if you want to eat late.

Jesper, please let us know your opinion of the tea and/or dinner.

Nine of us are taking mom (she's 89) out for the holidays. We'd like a place that's maybe not too big. Nothing exotic. French, Italian, etc. would work. It doesn't need to be walkable from RG. Maybe no more than 15 minute drive. I suggested Vinci but some of them don't want to go there. Suggestions?

Jean -

You might also look at this thread about dining near Steppenwolf.

Burger bar and sono wood fired are right there at halted and clybourn. J. Alexanders is just a bit north on clybourn. My mom used to really love going there. Also just north on clybourn is filippos Italian which gets good reviews, but I have never been. Also north on halsted is sapori Italian which people seem to love, me not so much. Mon ami gabi on Lincoln park west is not very far and could also be a good choice. Sorry I am on a roll, there is also rustic house on wells.

Boka is only a half block north of the theater and it's a solid choice. The food is contemporary American, but not "extreme", just enjoyable. The excellent service and bistro atmosphere combine with the great food to make it an outstanding experience.

Chef Nasser has opened a branch of his well know Middle Eastern eatery- Dawali Mediterranean Restaurant
on North Halsted - steps away from the Royal George- and across the street from Steppenwolf Theater

Dawali Mediterranean Restaurant
1625 North Halsted St.
Chicago, Illinois
(312) 944-5800

http://www.dawalikitchen.com/

And remember that at least on the side streets west of Halsted, the parking is by permit after 6pm until midnight.