Oakbrook area location for a company dinner - 30 folks or so

Our company will be hosting a meeting at the McDonald's campus in early June and will have about 30-40 attendees who we would like to take to dinner on a Friday evening. Are there any wonderful options - or even not so bad options in a short driving distance? No limitations on type of food, budget not yet set but I'm guessing around $50 plus drinks (if there's a great spot that's a bit more I can make the case) ... I am frustrated we can't bring them into the city to one of our usual faves. Our clients have a sense of humor so this does not have to be a standard steakhouse or something ... anything that's farm to table or sustainable would get extra points.

Not quite sure where to search as I honestly don't have a good sense of which locations might be doable with traffic, etc - I assume we'll hire cars or something to take everyone.

Thanks so much!

There are lots of places in Oak Brook offering good food along with private dining rooms, including Tuscany, Antico Posto, Maggiano's, Gibson's, Reel Club, Mon Ami Gabi, Seasons 52, and Wildfire. All are quite good, although not necessarily the level of creativity that "farm to table or sustainable" might imply. Also, all have a lot of experience serving private parties, which is IMHO even more important than unusually creative food, when you want to pull off a private dinner that everyone enjoys. Incidentally, five of these (Antico Posto, Maggiano's, Reel Club, Mon Ami Gabi, and Wildfire) are affiliated with Lettuce Entertain You, which has one point of contact for arranging private parties at all of their locations, so with one call, they can advise you on how each of those five might fit your objectives; their private banquet group even has its own website, here.

If you want something along those unusual/creative lines, you might want to give Vie a call, to see if they have availability and can meet your budget target (click here for more info).

I'd add Devon's Seafood and Steaks to the list. I'm not sure how they handle parties but their new space has a pretty good amount of seating. My wife and I go there for their bar specials pretty regularly.

The Clubhouse at the Oak Brook mall is quite nice, and while not exactly the farm-to-table trend, a decent steakhouse type of place that we've enjoyed on a few occasions. They have some private dining rooms. http://www.theclubhouse.com/private-dining-clubhouse

There's a Reza's a wee bit west on 22nd for Persian. http://www.rezasrestaurant.com/index.html

(Their site is loading, really, it is. They overgussied it. It's nice, but, I think they went overboard.)

Chama gaucha in downers grove seems to get great reviews.

Stay away from mon ami gabi. I have eaten there three times each time worse than the previous. Maggiano's is hit or miss. I have had some very nice meals there and some very horrible meals. I would recommend Ditka's. For groups like yours, I have had two such meals there and everyone raved about them. Very good food, nice Chicago theme. I also like Tuscany quite a bit, though at Ditkas they will give you a nice secluded room. I have been to Wild fire and for a party such as yours it is nice, they have a private room that would work well. Capital Grill also does a great job for a party such as yours. Though I would still pick Ditka's.

FWIW, I've been to that location of Mon Ami Gabi numerous times (more than three), and it has been very good every time.

Thanks so much everyone for a great range of selections. GIven our area of work - sustainability management - I'd love to go for Vie but we may not have the budget. Several of the others look interesting so I'll make some calls and see what gets the OK from HQ.

I really appreciate the help!

If Vie is doable geographically, I would definitely call them to discuss budget-- particularly given that its a weeknight, I'd bet they would love to work on a plan with you.

I would give Vie a call, too!