Dinner Recs in Wrigleyville/Lakeview

I have theater tickets for the 37XX block of Southport next Friday. Any ideas on where to dine in the area? I used to go to Hi Ricky a lot, but I really don't spend a lot of time on that side of town anymore, so I don't know where to go.
Tango Sur is out since its a Friday in Lent.
Thanks in advance for suggestions.

You could do Volo, which is about a mile away at Roscoe and Damen (I'm not really nuts about the restaurants on Southport) This is one of my new favorite places.

Here's the thread:
http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t= ... light=volo

Actually on second thought...there's one place on Southport I do really like. It's north of the main drag, I think at Irving Park. Can't remember the name of it though. I had great lamb chops there.

Edited to add: It's Deleece (4004 N. Southport).

Hi Ricky has been closed for a couple of years now. Blue Bayou serves pretty decent Cajun. There will be some seafood specials there.

What jesteinf is remembering is Deleece which is a nice, smart, cosy restaurant that serves quality food at decent prices ($$). It looks really swanky inside (exposed brick, bar, dim dining room) but is quite comfortable in jeans as well. It's a few blocks north right at Irving Park and Southport and would be a great choice for dinner.

Everything else on the Southport strip is along the lines of bar food though if you're into those, you might want to try out Southport Lanes or Blue Bayou (right across from where I think you're catching a show.

However, two other decent standouts: Coobah and Sopo but they definitely fall into the trendy crowd and get boisterous.

Your best bet is Deleece.

I'd think TS will be empty on Friday given Lent and the Latino base. But that might make it a perfect time to go and get Chicago's best tortilla espanola, surprisingly good tallarines en salsa de queso (fettucine alfredo, basically) and some noquis (gnocchi). Otherwise, the bar food at Neybours is not bad at all. To both the north and south are some middle of the road Japanese and Thai options, (J Thai/Sushi north, Once Upon a a Thai and Sushi Mura south). Deelece isn't far, and if you expand your walk, there are many other options...

March 17th, St Patricks day, has received a dispensation from Cardinal George, so you can eat meat on that one Friday during Lent.

When I don't go to Tango Sur, I typically wind up at Strega Nona, which does a perfectly nice job of straightforward pastas, grilled foods and rotisserie-cooked items. And it's right next to the Mercury Theater, so you don't have to move your car.

I assume you're going to "Urinetown." I haven't seen this production yet, but it's a terrific show. One tip: Go before you go, if you know what I mean.

Strega Nona
773/244-0990
www.carluccirestaurant.com
3747 N. Southport Ave.
Chicago, IL 60613

This is a no-brainer: Otro Mas. Very nice Mexican joint with excellent food, great sopas, and nice atmosphere. Margaritas are quite tasty too!! Was my favorite place when I lived in the area.

Otro Mas
3651 N Southport Ave
Chicago

Otro Mas has been closed for some time now.

rdstoll wrote:This is a no-brainer: Otro Mas. Very nice Mexican joint with excellent food, great sopas, and nice atmosphere. Margaritas are quite tasty too!! Was my favorite place when I lived in the area.

Otro Mas
3651 N Southport Ave
Chicago

Otro Mas is not there anymore. It turned into Neybours.

Did not know that. Ouch.

Thanks for the heads up!

I *think* it was Strega Nona that had a "closed 2 weeks for remodeling" sign when I walked past it last week.

I'd strongly recommend Coobah, which serves Latin American cuisine. It is a bit trendy, but the food's solid. I'm not Catholic, so I'm not sure if chicken is permitted on Fridays during Lent. If it is, I strongly recommend the Chicken Negra Modelo, which is delicious! If you're looking for a more casual place, Julius Meinl is a Viennese cafe/coffee shop with a nice selection of salads and sandwiches (plus some great-looking desserts, though I haven't actually tried any of them). If bar food is actually your thing, Schoolyard has above-average bar food. Their fish tacos and shrimp tacos are very tasty (though last time I was there they weren't using grouper in them ).

This could be Buena Park / Uptownish as well: I will be in the Irving Park and Lake Shore Drive vicinity tonight at about 8:30 looking for a nearby place with an open kitchen; I'll probably be dining solo and looking for something filling and savory, but not upscale / multiple courses.

Default would be heading up to Hopleaf (kitchen closes at 10), but is there anything right in that immediate vicinity pubbish, momandpoppish, artisanal fastfoodish open on a Sunday night?

That's really close to Tac Quick and not too far from Argyle.

We agree with Deleece, Southport just north of Irving.

turkob wrote:That's really close to Tac Quick and not too far from Argyle.

Good recs - late tom yum or pho could hit the spot, have to check hours. Deleece too, thx.

. . . or simply continue a couple of blocks further down Irving Park for Resi's or Laschet's (or even Murphy's Pub a few blocks down on Lincoln).

Of course, there's always Toons as well.

Reviving this old thread... We're seeing Avenue Q at the Mercury Theater tomorrow (Saturday) night, looking for dinner/drinks recommendations before and after. Right now, we're booked for Mixteco Grill pre-theater, just about a mile away -- short cab ride. Thinking Cullen's or Deleece next door to the theater for a nightcap. Thoughts???

I'd definitely go to Toons a couple of blocks north over Cullens or Deleece if you're looking for a nice pub type spot.

Hi all- Hubs and I will be going to see Billy Joel (so excited) on Fri at Wrigley,
and would like to have a decent dinner beforehand.
(anyone else going-want to meet up?)
Since I'm rarely down that way- I'm hoping some of my LTH buds have some suggestions for me.
Thanks in advance.

GNR Tac Quick is right up the street. That's usually my go to spot when going to Wrigley. Also, GNR Toons is not that far away, either.

By bus or the L (red line), it's a very quick shot from Wrigley to Andersonville, where you have a few great choices like Big Jones and Anteprima to name a couple.

=R=

I like the Raw Bar just up the street from Wrigley on Clark.

My last couple/few visits to TAC Quick have been a bit of a letdown (okay, more of a major letdown). If you want Thai, ATK (Wellington/Sheffield) is a much better option in my opinion.

Don't forget about a couple new Southport additions: Coalfire and Coda di Volpe. And Pizza Rustica is close. Also, Wood (Buckingham/Halsted) is nice if you want something a bit more upscale. Also, Spanish Square just east of Southport on Belmont.

In short, Wrigleyville dining is a bit more promising these days. I'm sure I'm forgetting a few others.

Not right next door, but also not far: Mythos (Lincoln Square) and Cafe Orchid (due west on Addison).

Earlier in this topic, Deleece was mentioned; it was always my go-to place for a nice brunch/lunch or dinner before or after a game/concert at Wrigley. They recently re-concepted as Grassroots. It's supposed to have more of a comfort food spin, although the menu doesn't sound all that different from Deleece. Has anyone been there since the change who can comment on it?

Two other places I really like are nearby, if you like seafood: Fahlstrom's and Fish Bar. Fahlstrom's is a casual place which also has a fish market section where you can buy seafood to cook at home. Fish Bar has more of a bar-like feel. Both have fresh seafood that I've enjoyed.

I second the Fish Bar recommendation. Fun and laid-back place with some tasty cocktails and seafood. Nothing very fancy but a worthwhile neighborhood spot.

Have to say, not a fan of Fishbar at all--thought it was very, very average and quite expensive. I think we have a lot of better options in the area--in fact, for seafood, GNR New England Seafood Co. has really improved the decor inside to be more of a "restaurant" v. just a bare bones fish house--and the food remains terrific.

I'd also second the recommendation for Spanish Square for heavy snacks--I really like the place--if you go, don't miss the giant olives skewered with anchovy and pickled pepper, the jamon iberico toast and the absolutely lovely sparkling rose if it's still on the list--I drank a lot more than I'd planned of it the last time I was there. I'd also suggest stopping through Lincoln Square since you'll be coming from up north--options include Fork, Luella's, Gather and Roots/the 6th (cocktails--great ones!) and, of course, Rainbow and Aroy! Lots and lots of options, that's for sure!

boudreaulicious wrote:Have to say, not a fan of Fishbar at all--thought it was very, very average and quite expensive.

That's how I felt about Fahlstrom's . . . pricey and every single item we ordered was overcooked into oblivion.

=R=