special occasion restaurant - alinea alternative?

My girlfriend of 4 years is moving across the globe and we have decided to cease dating unfortunately. She is leaving at the end of the month, and we are trying to plan a really nice last dinner. We both wanted Alinea, but realistically can't afford it, with both of us being grad students. I say alinea alternative in a very broad sense. I am not necessarily looking for a molecular gastronomy experience, but still, for this occasion, something special. Any advice appreciated.

What sort of price range are you looking for? And are you looking do wine pairings for just food?

I'm really sorry to hear the bittersweet news. You might ease the sting of her departure with a meal at Acadia. It's a very nice special occasion restaurant: very reasonably priced, elevated food (but not necessarily MG), elegant and comfortable dining room, and excellent service.

=R=

Acadia
1639 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60616
312 360-9500
http://acadiachicago.com

Hurdler4eva wrote:What sort of price range are you looking for? And are you looking do wine pairings for just food?

Maybe $400 max for the both of us out the door, tax/tip/wine.

El Ideas is in that range and a wonderful meal. It's also BYO so you can bring special bottles if you enjoy that. A bit less formal but very intimate (it's not communal seating--I'd recommend Elizabeth but for that). Most of all, it's hard not to have fun there so maybe it will keep the night from being sad.

ronnie_suburban wrote:You might ease the sting of her departure with a meal at Acadia. It's a very nice special occasion restaurant: very reasonably priced, elevated food (but not necessarily MG), elegant and comfortable dining room, and excellent service.

I agree. Although I've eaten at Acadia twice in the past year; the first time I ordered a la carte and loved it, then a couple of weeks ago we went for the tasting menu and were rather disappointed.

Two other places I'd consider are North Pond and Naha. North Pond is notable for its exquisite location in the middle of the park, facing its namesake pond with the city skyline looming over the opposite shore. Naha is in River North. Both North Pond and Naha are headed by winners of the James Beard Award for Best Chef - Great Lakes. And you can eat at either of these, as well as Acadia, in the $110-140 range per person with moderate alcohol and tax/tip, although you'll get close to your $200/pp limit if you go for tasting menus and/or wine pairings or higher-end wine/alcohol.

Another option is the pre-theater menu at Everest. Everest is still one of our high-end treasures, with its contemporary French-Alsatian menu, enormous wine list, and great view looking out over the city from the 40th floor of the Midwest Stock Exchange building. It would normally exceed your price target, but every day for 5:00/5:30 seatings they have a pre-theater prix fixe menu (fixed menu, no choices), around $50 for 3 courses. Unlike the previous three suggestions, it's quite dressy, with jackets required for gentlemen.

Not sure if this is too formal for you, but Les Nomades is lovely-- and made only lovelier by enjoying one of its souffles....

Personally, I'd go to North Pond. The food and view are both great. I say this never having been to Acadia (which I am now tempted to try) nor Naha (too rich for my blood). I'd stay away from Everest and any other sky-high corporate monstrosity by which you may be tempted.

I would also recommend the 8-course tasting menu at Sixteen which is $150/person without wine. I had an absolutely exquisite meal there a couple weeks ago.

boudreaulicious wrote:El Ideas is in that range and a wonderful meal. It's also BYO so you can bring special bottles if you enjoy that. A bit less formal but very intimate (it's not communal seating--I'd recommend Elizabeth but for that). Most of all, it's hard not to have fun there so maybe it will keep the night from being sad.

This. EL has become my wife and I's "go to" for special occasions that doesnt completely break the bank.

lobby wrote:My girlfriend of 4 years is moving across the globe and we have decided to cease dating unfortunately. She is leaving at the end of the month, and we are trying to plan a really nice last dinner. We both wanted Alinea, but realistically can't afford it, with both of us being grad students. I say alinea alternative in a very broad sense. I am not necessarily looking for a molecular gastronomy experience, but still, for this occasion, something special. Any advice appreciated.

You've gotten recommendations here that really go from one extreme to another. But you may wish to chime in by letting us know a bit more about your general preferences. For example, classic French food in a more typically formal environment (closer to Les Nomades) or more contemporary and casual (El Ideas). How important is a view? What type of food do you generally like, and are you looking for something different here. I know you say "special," but that's really in the eyes of the beholder.

Places like Goosefoot and El Ideas will offer you high quality food and plating, but without the most obscene pricing because they're byo. But the atmospheres at these two are complete opposites . . . if you're after a more intimate environment, Goosefoot without question over El Ideas. But assuming that you're looking at the end of March, your options might be limited (assuming you're looking for a weekend reservation). Blackbird would probably present you with great food, but you may not appreciate the spacing between tables. I agree that Acadia would be great. I tend to think North Pond skews a bit older. And let me throw one more into the mix Nightwood, in Pilsen (great food and environment, but not at all intimate . . . so maybe not special?).

I will throw yet one more suggestion into the mix (though there have already been some really good ones). Boka is one of my favorite venues; they are elegant enough to be worthy of a special occasion yet have a relaxed ambiance. They have some of the best staff in Chicago; from the servers to the general manager to the barstaff everybody we have encountered there has been extremely friendly, attentive and professional. I absolutely love the food there and they have my favorite cocktail in the city (the Weston). You would even be able to do the tasting menu with wine pairings and be within your price range (I believe the tasting menu is about $85 and wine pairing about $60 - I might be $5 to $10 off). They also do an outstanding job modifying the tasting menu to suit your dietary preferences and aversions. A la carte menu is also available and is a wonderful menu!

Out of the other venues listed, Sixteen would be my choice if you want an elegant upscale ambiance and can exceed your price range a bit (as with wine, tax and tip you'd be over the $400 price point unless you either skipped wine or did their shortest of their three menus). Elizabeth or El Ideas would be my choice if you wanted to have a more casual and unique dining experience (El Ideas would be well within your range - $135 plus tax/tip per/person and is BYOB; Elizabeth's shortest menu would be within your price range, but the middle would go a bit over depending on how much wine - about $125 per/person for the food for the middle menu before tax and tip, varies by day of the week).

I think a couple of options could fit the bill are:

Perennial Virant
Sepia
Boka (as mentioned above)
Mk

All have memorable food and nice atmospheres, but allow a little room in the budget. These are not fine dining per se, but all have lively, upscale atmospheres.

Yes, it really depends on what you mean by "really nice" and "something special". And keep in mind, it may be "special" because of the occasion, rather than the restaurant itself. So a mid-priced place that seems more like a neighborhood bistro may work perfectly well, without going anywhere near your stated price maximum. The atmosphere will be more casual, with people not as dressed up, and without the armies of waitstaff that you'll find at the higher-end places. The food can still be exciting and delicious, although you'll probably be ordering the traditional three courses a la carte rather than from a lengthy tasting menu. If that works for you, there are plenty of places you can do so; in addition to those such places mentioned in the three most recent posts, I'd add Deleece on Southport (Lakeview), Piccolo Sogno (and Piccolo Sogno Due), La Sardine (and Le Bouchon), Magnolia Cafe (Uptown), Mexique (West Town), Campagnola (Evanston), and Inovasi (Lake Bluff). (Note, you didn't mention where you're located, so it's not clear which of these might be geographically convenient for you.) You can get a perfectly delicious meal at these and many other places, which will be memorable as much for the occasion and personal interaction as it is for the restaurant experience itself. And you'll be spending in the $70-100/pp range instead.

Of course, if you're looking for the high-end fine-dining type experience, that's fine too; it is indeed a different experience, and it may be what you prefer for this particular occasion. Your choice.

All seem like great suggestions so far, a few of the restaurants we have eaten at and enjoyed in the past. We are both in our mid 20s and I would lean towards the contemporary/casual side as opposed to formal. BYO restaurants are a definite plus. No one has mentioned it, but what about Schwa if I can get a reservation? I live in Bridgeport (don't want to do Nana), but have no problem traveling north. I'd prefer to stay in the city rather than the burbs, as we'll probably be taking a cab so we can let loose a bit.

lobby wrote:what about Schwa if I can get a reservation?

Since this is a special occasion for both of you, it could turn into a really negative experience if the restaurant cancels your reservation at the last minute. Given Schwa's recent history of doing so, that's not the place I'd choose.

lobby wrote:All seem like great suggestions so far, a few of the restaurants we have eaten at and enjoyed in the past. We are both in our mid 20s and I would lean towards the contemporary/casual side as opposed to formal. BYO restaurants are a definite plus. No one has mentioned it, but what about Schwa if I can get a reservation? I live in Bridgeport (don't want to do Nana), but have no problem traveling north. I'd prefer to stay in the city rather than the burbs, as we'll probably be taking a cab so we can let loose a bit.

Sure, if you can get in. I'll also agree with those who recommended byo El Ideas too - hard not to have fun there and Bill (FOH, server, DJ, JOAT) will make sure of it.

I'd throw Ing into the mix. Not that expensive, very creative, from the guys at Moto. Fun.

iNG is definitely a fun place and well within the price range ($85 for the six course, $105 for the ten course and drink pairings are included - combination of cocktails, beers and wines). What is fun about iNG is they utilize the miracle berry with some of the courses to make sour foods taste sweet (many of their desserts have little to no sugar, but taste like regular desserts because of the berry). They do some fun presentations and utilize different senses (i.e. adding aromatics) with some of their courses providing a bit of resemblance to Alinea, but for a lot less money and much more casual vibe. I love the staff at iNG too; great people there.

lobby wrote: No one has mentioned it, but what about Schwa if I can get a reservation?

In addition to cancelling reservations on little to no notice on occasions, some recent reports are that Chef Carlson has been spending some time away from the restaurant (not sure how often he is taking off, but multiple people have reported he was not on site during recent meals there). Having him in house is definitely part of the Schwa experience. Schwa is one of those high risk, high reward reservations - might end up being one of the best meals you have ever had, might end up being disappointing.

I have had reservations there three times; once I was canceled on less than two hours before the reservation, once was one of the top several meals I had ever had at the time, and the third was OK but nothing special - Chef Carlson was on site, but in a reclusive mood and the place lacked the typical energetic vibe. For me Schwa is better left for a regular night out than a special occasion.

El Ideas will provide some of the typical Schwa style experience, but is a bit more refined, more consistent and more dependable. BR is right about Bill; he is one of the top servers in Chicago and Chef Foss and his fellow chefs are wonderful people as well.

Consider Blackbird. Absolutely first-rate food, stylish and relatively sedate setting, suitable for conversation, and within your price range.

GAF wrote:Consider Blackbird. Absolutely first-rate food, stylish and relatively sedate setting, suitable for conversation, and within your price range.

Beware, the seating is cramped, particularly the banquette tables, which are thisclosetoeachother.

Personally, I'd hit three places that both of you love and have enjoyed in the past. All places have "off" nights and some of the places people have suggested, people absolutely hate (iNG). Why risk the unknown or saddle yourself in for a three hour dinner on what could be an uncomfortable night. Or be the first couple to break-out in tears at El Ideas with someone sitting 30 inches from you.

Or put yourself in the middle of Randolph and see where the night takes you. Appetizers and drinks at Maude's. Pizza and wine at Nellcote. Beers and Pigface at the bar at Girl and the Goat. Bourbon and burgers at Au Cheval to end the night.

Or take a drive and go somewhere suburban, I hear Oceanique in Evanston does some amazing stuff.

pizano345 wrote:Or take a drive and go somewhere suburban, I hear Oceanique in Evanston does some amazing stuff.

I hear they're corkage free on Mondays!

My vote is Girl and the Goat provided you can get in. Great food cool vibe you own table. Find a way to get in.

I'd choose the girl over academia and eat together all the time.

Or do a kickstarter to get to Alinea.

Check out autre de. Monde in Berwyn. The food is so good

We got a reservation this Wednesday at EL Ideas. Seems like the restaurant should be up our ally for a fun and interesting night. Thank you all for the recommendations, I will most definitely be checking out the other restaurants in the future.

Great choice! The food at El Ideas is right up there with the best meals I've had and the chefs and staff work to make it a memorable evening. And the BYOB make it easier to enjoy a special bottle of wine or keep costs in check. Enjoy!