Dinner after Stones Exhibitionism?

My friend & I are celebrating our 60th birthdays tomorrow by seeing the Stones Exhibitionism @ Navy Pier and then out for dinner. I haven't been to Navy Pier in quite a few years, but don't remember being "wowed" by any of the dining choices there.

Since it's looking to be a gorgeous night out, we are trying to find somewhere with a nice outdoor area, something ethnic (not picky) and somewhat casual since we won't be dressed up after spending the day at Navy Pier.

We'll have a car and will be heading back to the western 'burbs afterwards.

btw.... Piccolo Sogno would be an obvious choice, but I'll be going there this weekend for an anniversary dinner! Also thought of Nellcote because of it's relevance to the Stones, but no outdoor seating IIRC.

Nellcote has outdoor seating.

dagrassroots wrote:Nellcote has outdoor seating.

Good to know! I've only been there for brunch a couple of times and happy hour. Have you been there for dinner and if so, how is it?

One of the sure-fire ways to ruin a day at Navy Pier is by dining there. Wait in line for some Chicago Mix (or whatever they are required by law to call it today) to stay sated, in order to keep all members of your party non-romanced by the proximity factor of the restaurants. I will never, Ever, EVER, allow anyone to convince me to eat there again. Maybe the Mcdonalds, but aside from that, nothing except Garrett's.

seebee wrote:One of the sure-fire ways to ruin a day at Navy Pier is by dining there. Wait in line for some Chicago Mix (or whatever they are required by law to call it today) to stay sated, in order to keep all members of your party non-romanced by the proximity factor of the restaurants. I will never, Ever, EVER, allow anyone to convince me to eat there again. Maybe the Mcdonalds, but aside from that, nothing except Garrett's.

Exactly why I'm looking for somewhere else.... only reason we're going to Navy Pier at all is for the Exhibit. Since my daughter moved to Seattle, we haven't been venturing into the city nearly as much and I've gotten a bit rusty with dining options.

I can't speak to the quality/execution, but there is now a DMK Burger/Fish Bar on Navy Pier. You are also allowed to drink on the pier and being a Wednesday, there will be fireworks once it gets dark.

Not sure on your timing, and it certainly isn't the best dining option; but there have to be much worse ways to spend a joint birthday.

ETA: menu - https://www.dmkburgerbar.com/wp-content ... erFood.pdf

wineaux wrote:

dagrassroots wrote:Nellcote has outdoor seating.

Good to know! I've only been there for brunch a couple of times and happy hour. Have you been there for dinner and if so, how is it?

I've only been there for pizza happy hour. Good deal.

Would highly suggest driving away from the Pier for dinner. It's a mad house on Fireworks nights in summer.

I really like Nellcote. Beautiful interior as well. Enjoy their pizzas, pastas, and salmon entree. Did not care for the venison tartare

Have a great night!

Tiny Tavern on Navy Pier is great. It opened during the winter. Great for a cocktail or cocktail and food.

They are related to Tiny Lounge in North Center.

They are also a great place to stop before Shakespear, they are located directly underneath and have a staircase in front to take you upstairs.

Tiny Tavern
http://www.tinytavern.com

For me, nellcote is one of the worst restaurants in Chicago. I feel they are more worried about covers and never attention to detail. Way better options on restaurant row

gocubs88 wrote:For me, nellcote is one of the worst restaurants in Chicago. I feel they are more worried about covers and never attention to detail. Way better options on restaurant row

That's not useful if you're not going to actually name any "better" options.

Maybe Forno Rosso a couple blocks west of Nellcote would be a good fit. Certainly casual, and plenty of outdoor seating. Some of, if not the, best Neapolitan pizza in the entire Chicago area.

Good appetizers as well. Enjoy your birthday, wherever you decide upon.

knitgirl wrote:

gocubs88 wrote:For me, nellcote is one of the worst restaurants in Chicago. I feel they are more worried about covers and never attention to detail. Way better options on restaurant row

That's not useful if you're not going to actually name any "better" options.

Well, in the area of Nellcote there are endless options and I think the point is valid. Between worst and best, I put Nellcote somewhere in the middle closer to worst. I've been a few times, always encountered staff that seem to believe I should be thanking them for allowing me to eat there, and the food, while always close to being very good or excellent, seems to miss the mark due to missteps or carelessness along the way. As much as I've wanted to like Nellcote (thus, 3 visits) . . . I haven't.

I'm always a sucker for Peruvian food at Tanta in River North. Their rooftop is excellent for dining.

How is the Stones Exhibition? Has anyone gone?

dradeli wrote:How is the Stones Exhibition? Has anyone gone?

I have. It's very good. FYI - it's at the eastern portion of Navy Pier.

dradeli wrote:How is the Stones Exhibition? Has anyone gone?

it was ok, David Bowie exhibit at MCA awhile back was terrific, Stones exhibit paled in comparison.

Mrs Willie & I celebrated our joint birthday by taking in the exhibit yesterday afternoon. I expected far more people but there were maybe 15 people tops in each area of the exhibit, nice as I hate other people

Weather was glorious yesterday, so we partook of one of the sole redeeming qualities about Navy Pier, the beer garden area, what a view and place to drink a few cold ones !!

After a few, we were feeling very lazy about dinner so simply walked into Riva Seafood which is situated mid pier. http://www.rivanavypier.com/

Not cheap but that is to be expected, bill was $145 pre tip and we only had 3 glasses of wine. (not per person, but 3 total)

Oysters were fresh/tasty and shucked well, $3.25 per. They do offer an oyster happy hour where oysters are only $1 per, sorry didn't get exact times/days.

I had a bowl of the clam chowder, New England style. Salty, just ok.

For my main, I had the mussels in spicy tomato broth ($15), quite nice, mussels cooked perfectly.

Mrs Willie main was the Colossal White Shrimp w/potato gnocchetti, oyster mushrooms, arugula, thyme butter sauce ($37). Besides the shrimp being slightly overcooked, this was a terrific dish.

Sweet Willie wrote:

dradeli wrote:How is the Stones Exhibition? Has anyone gone?

it was ok, David Bowie exhibit at MCA awhile back was terrific, Stones exhibit paled in comparison.

Just saw the Bill Graham exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie and would highly recommend it. Not as extensive as the Bowie exhibit (thanks, in part, I'm sure, to the fact his offices were firebombed at some point in the 1980s and countless items were destroyed), but fantastic nonetheless.

(Sadly we had lunch at Costco on the way home, so I can't give any restaurant recommendations.)

chgoeditor wrote:Just saw the Bill Graham exhibit at the Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie and would highly recommend it.

thanks for the heads up! https://www.ilholocaustmuseum.org/billgraham/

A friend of mine ate at Eggy's Diner just off of Lake Shore East Park and said it was awesome.

He's a cross country truck driver so I trust his judgement.

333 E Benton Pl #103, Chicago, IL 60601

Only breakfast and lunch service (closes at 3).