Between Wilmette & N'ville? [Xmas Eve at Laschet's]

My family is getting together for a Christmas Eve dinner out - us from N'ville, & the others from Wilmette (don't ask, somehow they were seduced over to the dark side, I mean the North Shore). Their plan, before we horned in, was to go to Prairie Grass, which would be quite inconvenient to us.

The local contingent is fairly adventurous, though there are Ohio relatives who may not be so. Anyway, I am looking for recs and then we will work through what is acceptable.

So far, I have mostly considered NW side Chicago, and some places that came to mind were Operetta, Laschet's, Sabatino's, Don Juan, Elephant Thai. But I am open to other ideas. Oak Park/Forest Park is probably as far west and south as we would go. I am thinking I will avoid downtown, though my family will probably run by Fields to take in the windows after dinner, so the city is my preference.

A Metromix search revealed a few other places that sound interesting for this meal. Anyone have experience with: Mario's Caffe, Rosario's Noodles, Mecca Dinner Club?

All suggestions and comments appreciated.

I had this issue with a friend in Highland Park when I lived in Lisle, and we usually wound up somewhere in the 290/53 corridor (Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Palatine, etc). Maybe that would work for you as well...

Mark

dicksond wrote:Anyone have experience with: Mario's Caffe, Rosario's Noodles, Mecca Dinner Club?

Dickson,

I've been to Mecca a few times, it's a crowded lunch spot, popular with the drinking crowd, steak sandwiches are pretty good. Dinner wise, I've been once with Ellen and never felt the need to repeat, but we may have simply caught them on a slow/off night. This was a few years ago, they may have changed since then.

Rosario's Noodles is a favorite of my mother in-law, I've referred to it as the Catholic Myron and Phil's. Any number of conversations start with "what parish you out of" or " hear what Father Clarence said at mass today" Food is slightly dated American supper club with Italianesque leaning. Prices are very, and I do mean very, reasonable. Rosario's has a thriving bar scene, band on the weekends, lots of drinking, pick-up lines being tossed about and, like Myron and Phil's of old, the average bar patron is late 60's to early 70's.

Mecca , and to a lesser extent Rosario's Noodles, have a tired feel about them, and while I like Rosario's, or Noodles as it most often referred to, it would not be my suggestion unless cost was a major concern.

Not familiar with Mario's, aside from driving by and thinking I should really check the place out.

Don Juan is a good choice as is Zia's in the same Edison Park neighborhood. Modern Italian in the Mia Francesca sense, good food, service, nice, if somewhat noisy room.

G Wiv wrote:If you don't mind driving 15-20 minutes I would recommend Zia's. Zia's has excellent food, good service, free valet parking and a nice, yet reasonably priced wine list. The last time that we were there my wife had Prince Edward mussels with chiles and garlic that were wonderful. It was on the nightly special appetizers, but they were happy to make it up as a main course for her. I had butternut squash ravioli with mascarpone cream and toasted hazelnuts, which while a little rich to have often, was just what I was in the mood for that night.

Zia's does fish very well and they also, of course, have pasta and various meat dishes. The carpaccio is nice and the calamari grilled with balsamic is also good. If they have grilled octopus with balsamic as a special appetizer I would highly recommend it and the duck ravioli is always a treat.

Enjoy,
Gary

Zia's 6699 N
Northwest Highway
Chicago, IL. 60631
773-775-0808

Don Juan's
6730 N Northwest Hwy.
Chicago, IL.
773-775-6437

Nam Viet
6731 N Northwest Highway
Chicago IL. 60631
773-763-0370

Carlucci Restaurant
6111 N River Rd
Rosemont, IL 60018
847-518-0990

Mecca Supper Club
6666 N. Northwest Hwy
Chicago, IL
773-775-1077

Rosario's Noodles
5956 W Higgins Ave
Chicago, IL
773-775-7525

Mario's Caffe
5241 N. Harlem Ave
Chicago, IL
773-594-9742

I'll pipe up happily for Don Juan's or Zia's; if you go to Don Juan's I think their best food is on the small plates list [that's where the lamb & fish tacos live, along with a nice corn dish the name of which completely escapes me]. And while I'm at it, I think very poorly of Nam Viet. My several attempts at eating there have yielded food that is over priced, over greasy, and completely lacking in the fresh, bright tastes that I associate with good Vietnamese food.

Mario's is now "Avant Garde Cafe". Still Bulgarian, but the menu has skewed to more of a "European" feel [fewer marinated salads & interesting sausages]. Altho I live across the street, I don't go often. Part of me would like to test-drive the menu more, the rest of me doesn't care at all for Euro disco, men with open shirts & chains, and skinny, overdressed waitresses who look at me with an expression that [to my over-sensitive eyes] says "YOU shouldn't be eating that. In fact, you shouldn't have even finished the salad."

On the other hand, I have a male friend who loves to go there, smoke his pipe, and enjoy the waitresses as desert.

Your milage may vary....

Giovanna

The Buffalo Grove outlet of Lou Malnati's might work. Or for something more upscale in the Northwest suburbs, maybe Barn of Barrington.

Thanks to all. I have advanced some recommendations to the family & will report on how it turns out.

dicksond wrote:A Metromix search revealed a few other places that sound interesting for this meal. Anyone have experience with: Mario's Caffe, Rosario's Noodles, Mecca Dinner Club?

If you are considering Mecca in Edison Park, I would instead recommend Elliott's for steaks and seafood or Zia's for pasta and Northern Italian. I'm sure others would also include Don Juan in their list of EP recommendations, but I would warn you away from the pedestrian, overpriced food there.

You've got some interesting places in your list, though. Sabatino's would be a crowd pleaser and Elephant Thai is always good.

As a long time customer at Don Juan's, I would hardly consider the food "overpriced and pedestrian". Maria, the owner, caters to a local family crowd and has many interesting menu items that are a cut above your typical neighborhood Mexican joint. The ingredients she uses are a bit more expensive than most of these places as well and to prove that, all you need to do is taste the Carne Asada at Don Juan's and see that the meat is "choice" grade rather than the "select" grade that most Mexican restaurants use for Carne Asada and Steak Tacos. Her house salsa is one of the most unique in Chicago and the Margaritas there are made with fresh lime juice. They have a nice wine list which is usually not the norm at Mexican restaurants, Frontera notwithstanding. The restaurant is very accomodating to larger parties and there are always options for picky eaters, children, and vegetarians.

She is always concerned about customer satisfaction and would love to hear from people regarding quality, service, and perceived value.
She has had a few tough breaks over the years and was able to rebuild after a devastating fire. She could probably use the support and constructive criticism from a community such as this, not people trying to steer business away from her establishment.

winebabe wrote:She is always concerned about customer satisfaction and would love to hear from people regarding quality, service, and perceived value.
She has had a few tough breaks over the years and was able to rebuild after a devastating fire. She could probably use the support and constructive criticism from a community such as this, not people trying to steer business away from her establishment.

Winebabe,

LTHForum is a place where people voice their opinions about food and restaurants freely. If Steve's opinion is Don Juan offers pedestrian food he is both entitled to his opinion and to post same on LTHForum.

That said, Steve is dead wrong about Don Juan.

My wife and I have been going to Don Juan for years, certainly more than 10, and find the mix of neighborhood Mexican, Mexican/American and upscale offerings interesting, well prepared and typically delicious.

Far as Pepa, I call Maria Pepa, she calls me Larry goes she is charming, customer orientated and a fine overall person who has achieved much. Irrespective of what a good person Pepa is, or how much you and I like Don Juan, Steve is welcome to voice his opinion.

Enjoy,
Gary

I understand that this place allows people certain freedoms to express opinons. One of the reasons I no longer read the reviews on Metromix however, is that it has become a forum for badmouthing and sniping. I would hate for that to happen here.

The restaurant business is a very difficult one and I was only trying to make a point that this community would be better served if the criticism was constructive and positive. Restaurant owners who care are really concerned when someone's experience has not been a good one and will try to make the situation better the best way they can.

If you read this forum at all (and I know you do winebabe) I do far more than just badmouth places. But I do call 'em like I see 'em. I've got a track record on LTH, if someone generally agrees with my opinions about places, they should give my opinion of Don Juan's some serious weight. If not, they can ignore it and tell me I'm full of crap.

I've really tried to like Don Juan based on both its reputation and recommendations from posters here. In several visits, I have never had what I consider to be a good meal, and they DO charge premium prices compared to many of the authentic Mexican places that are board favorites. If you've had better luck with your meals there and/or you are a family member or personal friend of the owner, I'm glad you enjoy the place (as others have) and I'm sorry if my opinion offended you, but it is my opinion. Your's may vary. For me, though it's not a good option to recommend (especially with so many other good places in the neighborhood). YMMV. I'd definitely recommend the OP give the place a try before he commits his whole family to a meal there, though.

stevez wrote:If you read this forum at all (and I know you do winebabe) I do far more than just badmouth places. But I do call 'em like I see 'em. I've got a track record on LTH, if someone generally agrees with my opinions about places, they should give my opinion of Don Juan's some serious weight. If not, they can ignore it and tell me I'm full of crap.

I've really tried to like Don Juan based on both its reputation and recommendations from posters here. In several visits, I have never had what I consider to be a good meal, and they DO charge premium prices compared to many of the authentic Mexican places that are board favorites. If you've had better luck with your meals there and/or you are a family member or personal friend of the owner, I'm glad you enjoy the place (as others have) and I'm sorry if my opinion offended you, but it is my opinion. Your's may vary. For me, though it's not a good option to recommend (especially with so many other good places in the neighborhood). YMMV. I'd definitely recommend the OP give the place a try before he commits his whole family to a meal there, though.

That is until I head what you had to say about Gene and Judes

Getting back to Dickson's query. I love Operetta, just had another fine meal there a week or so ago, but I would wonder if it is the right place. I said to the Condiment Queen when we were leaving that night, "boy they'll have a problem if Chicago passes a no-smoking law." And she sez, "why would that matter, tonight the non-smoking section was just as smokey as the rest of the place." I hope you catch my drift.

PS
In all fairness to SteveZ, he DOES like Gene and Jude's

Operetta closes at 4p on Christmas Eve, so my first choice is a no go. I was worried about smoking, so thanks Rob.

I am thinking of Zia's.

To weigh in on Steve's right to voice a negative opinion - sure, he can be wrong whenever he wants . I rather like Don Juan, but it is actually more a matter of your point of comparison.

If one compares Don Juan to some of the more "authentic" places that cater to a more Mexican clientele and do it very well, such as Taqueria La Oaxaqunena, La Quebrada or Amanacer Tapatio, it is overpriced and the food is not as interesting, IMO. But that is not its target.

If one compares it to the top tier of creative Mexican food in Chicago, say Topolobampo and Chilpancingo, it is a step down, but decent value for what you get. The rub here is that some of those inexpensive places above actually deliver some food as good as anything at these fine dining spots, but I digress.

If you take it on its own, just looking at what is on the plate, you can certainly get a tasty meal at an okay price, and are treated well. And for business or family dinners it is an atmosphere that is quite acceptable. Hmmm, I may have talked myself into going there on Christmas Eve...

Anyway, while I would not make a special trip to go to Don Juan, like I would for any of the other places listed above, because I do not find the creativity and overall quality to be outstanding, I am quite happy to eat there when I find myself in the neighborhood and in need of sustenance. Steve may be hoping for more than that??

As to LTHForum becoming a place where restaurants get slammed, I think most places that are mentioned start with a positive review - "This place is worth a look," if you will. Then others chime in with their experiences, good and bad. The bad opinoins are just as valuable as the good.

As to providing feedback to the owner, that is a bit more touchy. Sometimes people accept it, others resent it. And most of us might be a little too averse to such confrontations. There was that famous visit to an Italian Beef place where he showed us with pride how he boiled his beef into oblivion, and I watched in horror, mouth agape. Should I have said - "how the hell can you do that to a good piece of beef - all the flavor is left in the water??"

If you want to provide more feedback to Maria, you could PM Steve and ask him for that constructive criticism. It might just be to go to (Steve, insert place(s)), taste their food, and look at their pricing. Many of us really do engage chefs and restaurant owners and provide feedback and suggestions, quite happily.

Keep on posting.

dicksond wrote:I am thinking of Zia's.

I really like Zia's. I think it's a good choice. Every meal I've had there has been fresh and flavorful. The place is lively, they've got a great bar, and I always leave happy.

And after seeing the beating that stevez is taking, I'll keep my Don Juan opinion to myself

Best,
Michael

eatchicago wrote:

dicksond wrote:I am thinking of Zia's.

I really like Zia's. I think it's a good choice. Every meal I've had there has been fresh and flavorful. The place is lively, they've got a great bar, and I always leave happy.

And after seeing the beating that stevez is taking, I'll keep my Don Juan opinion to myself

Man, I was defending Steve! I would never beat on him, cause he is a big bad city boy, and I am just a sad old suburban hayseed. Gee, Steve, if it seemed like I was picking on you, please accept my abject apologies .

Giovanna wrote:Mario's is now "Avant Garde Cafe". Still Bulgarian, but the menu has skewed to more of a "European" feel [fewer marinated salads & interesting sausages]. Altho I live across the street, I don't go often. Part of me would like to test-drive the menu more, the rest of me doesn't care at all for Euro disco, men with open shirts & chains, and skinny, overdressed waitresses who look at me with an expression that [to my over-sensitive eyes] says "YOU shouldn't be eating that. In fact, you shouldn't have even finished the salad."

On the other hand, I have a male friend who loves to go there, smoke his pipe, and enjoy the waitresses as desert.

Your milage may vary....

Giovanna

nr706, Mike G & I met to discuss some stuff at Avant Garde last week. Mostly empty, but fairly smoky, on a Tuesday night. Large, decent bowl of chicken soup for $3, though it was not consistently reheated. The yogurt/dill spread, I forget the Bulgarian term, was also okay. The other food was pretty mediocre, including the egg-battered mozzarella cutlet.

nr706 was a bit disappointed with his Czech beer, which was not exactly what he ordered, and also seemed to have turned sour.

The disco lights, pounding music, videos, pool table, mirrored bar, and trim waitresses/bartenders do give the place a certain charm, seemingly intended to amuse male Bulgarians. Mike arrived, took a look around and said, "this looks like a strip joint." Upon closer inspection, it also has a pole on a little stage in the corner, so I am curious about exactly what your male friend is enjoying. No action on the pole before 8 on a Tuesday...

dicksond wrote:nr706 was a bit disappointed with his Czech beer, which was not exactly what he ordered, and also seemed to have turned sour.

Rule of thumb (which I forgot at the time): never trust a beer in a green (or clear, for that matter) bottle unless you're positive it's been protected from light from the moment it left the brewery to the minute or two before the cap is popped. Some people are more sensitive to the skunky taste (yes, that's the technical descriptor) of a light-struck beer, and I think I'm one of them. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't know how Heineken gets away with green glass bottles (although, I'm told, that Heineken uses the far-more-protective brown glass bottles in beer for its native Holland).

It reminds me of a sad discussion I had with one of the brewers at Point Brewery (Stevens Point, WI). They have always used brown bottles for their beers, but they had just acquired manufacturing rights to Augsburger, a formerly great midwestern beer that has been mis-managed and kicked around from brewery to brewery for the last decade or so. They thought that brand had to be packaged in green glass - due to its (virtually non-existent, at that point) heritage, because someone had told them that beer in green glass was perceived as higher quality than beer in brown glass. (Sierra Nevada, Redhook, and even our local Goose Island would be likely to take exception to that.) Anyone seen any Augsburger for sale recently?

Okay, somebody get this thread back on-topic.

About Don Juan's, dicksond wrote:If one compares it to the top tier of creative Mexican food in Chicago, say Topolobampo and Chilpancingo, it is a step down, but decent value for what you get....

If you take it on its own, just looking at what is on the plate, you can certainly get a tasty meal at an okay price, and are treated well. And for business or family dinners it is an atmosphere that is quite acceptable.

Count me in the plus category, precisely for these reasons. It has the advantage that you can go there with people who don't have exotic tastes and aren't prepared to pay high prices for Mexican food, and you can order some of the more interesting/fusion items while they can get perfectly decent tacos and burritos. It also has outstanding margaritas.

So we ended up at Laschet's. Advice here & from others steered me away from Laschet's as being, well, too bar-like, smoky crowded. So, though it had begun as my preference, I tried hard to get into Zia's, Don Juan (both closed) and Sabatino's which was totally unable to find a space to put a party of 14 at any time Christmas Eve with 4 weeks notice (totally understandable and expected).

Good thing.

Laschet's closed at 8 on Christmas Eve, so I reserved for 630. Of course, "closing" meant closing the door to new customers, so we did not feel at all hurried, just a little guilty, when we rolled out at 840, and while we were the last table leaving, the bar was still half full.

The room sparkled with strings of lights, a Christmas tree, the murals, and a full house of festive patrons. It was a welcoming warren of cheer.

We ordered one of everything. The hackpeter was excellent, as was the plain herring with onions, and the creamed herring. Cannot comment on the other appetizers ordered (Fried mushrooms & cheese sticks I think, plus maybe a couple of others), since I needed to focus on the good stuff.

Dark & light beers on tap of many types, and the waiter walked us through the options. Is there normally a little discrepancy between the beer list and what they have? Seemed like the waiter kept directing us to alternatives, because they did not have what we requested. Did not note what beers I had other than that they were on tap and flavorful.

Veal Marengo was a light goulash, in flavor and color, with some mushrooms and little potatoes. Sort of a halfway point between Stroganoff and Goulash, to my tastes - nicely done. My daughter had the regular goulash, which was darker, richer, spicier and generally preferable for me. The well-browned spatzle and red cabbage were delightful, hell the service and the whole meal were. Very nice apple strudel, unimpressive apple crisp (too sweet, not crispy).

Our waiter, who to the amusement of the ladies at our table, was a slightly flirtatious Russell Crowe look-a-like (we asked him about this at the end of the meal, and he admitted we were not the first - he had met Russell somehow and thanked him since he won $500 for a gladiator get-up at a Halloween party recently, and he flirted nicely), did a good job, capped by the two rounds of complimentary apple schnapps at meal's end (the second round in place of coffee, which was gone at the end of the day).

I was anxious about how the family would react. We get together again Christmas day, and the feedback was enthusiastic - "comfortable, great food and beer, excellent atmosphere - just a great choice." Well-fed and praised, what more could one ask?

Thanks to all.