Recommendations? places for dinner downtown chicago, north

Hi, I'm Helen and Felix's kid, Michael. I met several of you at the Maxwell Street markets on Canal and had a blast of course. I also became aware that many of you are experts in places to eat and hence of course there exists this forum and my mom recommended that I ask some help on here.

For homecoming weekend at my high school, a group of friends and I are planning (on Saturday night Oct to take a limo down to Chicago after our school's dance and have dinner there. We've been looking at a few Italian restaurants, including now Sabinos recommened by Cathy (2), but aren't sure where we want to go.

Can I have some recommendations of a restaurant at which to eat?
These are the criteria we have in looking for a restaurant:
~dressed up/fancy, we'll be coming from a dance in pretty formal getups
~price not an issue, just not exhorbitant prices that average in the range of $30+ for salad
~no further south than downtown Chicago
Otherwise, we're very open to just about anything with any kind of food.

Also, we're considering doing something in Chicago and ditching the dance altogether. We've thought of things from Second City to looking for a concert to attend. If you have any suggestions of things to do (for people the majority of which will be under 18 ) please do so and describe where it is, what it is and any other information you might have off the top of you head and I'll research the rest. Thanks a lot

What's the timeframe on when you'd expect to arrive in the city?

Also, I'd possibly consider editing the topic name to add a little more detail. It'll net you some extra traffic if people can tell what the topic entails without opening it.

Sabatino's is a good recommendation. But, it gets really crowded on a Saturday Night.

I really like Bella Notte on Grand for Italian. It's a nice place that you'll feel comfortable dressed up in.

The food there is solid and the portions are absolutely huge. For instance, a seafood pasta fra diavola or zuppa de pesce, which is enough to feed two hearty eaters will set you back about $20-$23 per entree. There are also plenty of less exorbitant entrees in the $15-$17 range there.

One word of warning: except for the very good Chicken Vesuvio on the bone, i don't recommend straying too far from the seafood items there. The non-seafood entrees are only average there.

If you're considering something non-Italian, I think Marche would fit the bill perfectly. This is a French brasserie that has always served me up some classic but dead-on dishes. The room is whimsically chic and fun. In fact, I liked this place so much, I had my SECOND wedding party there.



833 West Randolph Street, Chicago
(312) 226-8399

We plan to either come to the city by about 9 (so we'd be making reservations) or if we find something to do in Chicago (like second city or whatever) we could plan to arrive earlier in the afternoon. thanks!

If it's on or before Oct 15, and you want entertainment, consider Daredevils at the NeoFuturarium (Ashland and Foster, over the funeral home). You'll be way overdressed compared to the rest of the crowd (which the actors may appreciate and comment on), and it'll be a great time. Not much in the way of fairly dressy dining in the Andersonville neighborhood, though (well, maybe La Tache or Rioja).

Um, why skip the dance, isn't that why you are getting all dressed up?
The dates might be a little disappointed, even if the parents might not know about it. I remember they wouldn't let us leave the dance too early, but that was when I spent more time with nuns than my parents. That was 20 years ago...perhaps some rules have changed.

How about the 95th floor? The salads are only $9.

http://www.signatureroom.com/

After prom, we usually went on a carriage ride and/or lake boat tour.
This is the homecoming for Pete's sake.

I think a question lurking beneath your post and crucial to answer if you want a useful reply is: given the nature of the occasion and the group, how focused are you going to be on food for food's sake, vs. fun/glamorous/party surroundings? Not that you have to trade food satisfaction for fun surroundings altogether, but you may want to consider weighting your criteria in making a final selection.

For example: I think few people would consider the 95th a real food destination, but it might be perfect for the celebratory blow-out you're going to be having, with perfectly adequate food for the occasion. Whereas the bes food might be in a small, dim, quiet, formal sort of place that would end up killing your whole evening.

YourPalWill wrote:Sabatino's is a good recommendation. But, it gets really crowded on a Saturday Night.

My goodness, yes; Sabatino's does get VERY crowded on Saturday night. But (1) they will honor your reservation and (2) the crowds really start to die down after 9:00 or 9:30, and you indicated you plan on a relatively late dinner. Sabatino's many charms and advantages have been discussed at great length elsewhere on this forum; search around.

THAT SAID -- You may still want to take the advice to got to the 95th. Or possibly have dinner at Bandera on Michigan Avenue (with great people watching and live small-combo jazz), then stroll a few blocks up to the Hancock and hit the 95th for drinks (er, well, sodas) and the view.

How about the Village at the Italian Village? I have always liked the atmosphere there.

-Pam

Italian VIllage Restaurants
71 W. Monroe Street - Chicago
312.332.7005
http://www.italianvillage-chicago.com/index.html

HI,

Actually that was his first thought was Italian Village, which is why I suggested Sabatino's on the north side. It had never occurred to me the 95th, while now that it is on the table is a great idea.

His Mother, my sister and I are also quite surprised how homecoming has turned into an almost prom event. When I went to high school in the mid-1970's, prom was almost cancelled due to lack of interest.

I'm looking forward to the report after the event!

Regards,