Help-- Out Of My Neighborhood

As the alleged foodie of our family, I've been sentenced to pick a North or Northwest Suburban restaurant for my parents' 60th anniversary dinner on Saturday, December 17. My folks are wonderful, but have several complicating requirements. First, they'd like to eat early (6-6:30) at a "nice" place. Second, not too noisy. Third, kid-friendly for my niece and nephew (13 and 11). Fourth, no French, please. Sacre Bleu!

To recap: North/Northwest Suburban, 8 persons, 6 or 6:30 on a Saturday night, "nice," not too noisy, kid-friendly, no French.

Please toss in a few suggestions and help me maintain my wholly undeserved reputation.

Hey Paul - how far north/northwest? Not my turf either, but it probably would help others to know if we are talking about Skokie or Lake Zurich here.

If Skokie is in your zone, E.J.'s immediately came to mind. I've recommended E.J.'s on this board often, but there aren't any full-blown reviews to link to.

It's a woodsy steakhouse (part of the Gene & Georgetti family) with very good food and excellent service. It's nice, reasonably kid-friendly, but not too noisy. You'll be able to eat early and it's definitely not French.

For me, at E.J.'s, I go for the pure steakhouse dinner: a steak (skirt, ribeye, or strip), creamed spinach, and crispy home fries. Maybe a couple martinis too. I've never been disappointed.

Oh yeah, and my grandmother loves their fish. She's a tough critic, too.

EJ's
10027 Skokie Blvd, Skokie
(847) 933-9800

Best,
Michael

Hmm...

How about Algauers (technically Northbrook, I'd call it Prospect Heights) on Milwaukee between Lake and Palatine. Not faaabulous, but tableside steak diane is still quite a nice thing. They can deal with a kid or two.

It's shameful I can't think of anything else on spur of the moment, but I'd like to keep you out of the Woodfield area on holiday weekends.

Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook -- on Skokie Blvd. between Dundee and Lake Cook -- seems to fit the bill.

www.prairiegrasscafe.com

I would also add Periyali in Niles to the list. Very family friendly Greek place with charcaol grilled specialties along with the usual suspects.

Periyali
9860 Milwaukee Avenue
Des Plaines
847-296-2232

I've not been, but Mom swears by it. To celebrate her 80th we'll be at the Black Ram on the 17th
http://www.blackramsteakhouse.com/menus.html

JSM

I've only been once, and to a different location, but Jameson's Char House might fit your bill. Kind of an unspectacular, serviceable steakhouse. Seems equally parent- and kid-friendly.

Jameson's Char House
1702 W Algonquin
Mt Prospect

847-956-1500

A Centerstage summary

eatchicago wrote:

" If Skokie is in your zone, E.J.'s immediately came to mind. I've recommended E.J.'s on this board often, but there aren't any full-blown reviews to link to."

I'd like to second the recommendation of EJ's. I've been there fairly recently, with my father, and we enjoyed it very much. Steakhouse fare, well-prepared, with good sides and drinks in a polished, slightly retro supper-club atmosphere. Indeed, the exterior has a kind of road-house look, but I'd say that the inside qualifies for a special occasion. This would seem to fit your request for "nice", though one caveat is that if your Mom would prefer a feminine atmosphere, this place has a more masculine vibe. When we were there, service was attentive and professional. Attention to detail was evident in the linens and excellent bread. One reason we went there was to find a quiet place, as my Dad has trouble hearing when it's noisy. It was early, (though not a Saturday) and we could converse easily. My only complaint is that smoke from the bar area intruded on me a bit, in spite of the fact that there were only a couple of people there. But perhaps that enhances the nostalgia of the place. My Dad commented that he liked the place quite a bit, and it strikes me that, like my Dad, your folks might be comfortable there because the place evokes the type of restaurant where they might have enjoyed themselves years ago.

I've really enjoyed the food and atmosphere at Prairie Grass Cafe, but it was really quite noisy both times I was there early on a Saturday evening, and that did detract from the experience.

Best wishes to your parents on their 60th. My brother googled the question, "What are the odds of making it to your 50th Anniversary?" for my parents' celebration last year: it's something like 1 in 37, and the odds for 60 years have to be even steeper. Enjoy the celebration!

eatchicago wrote:If Skokie is in your zone, E.J.'s immediately came to mind.

There's a discussion of E. J.'s embedded (i.e. you'll have to scroll down a bit) in this thread:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2445

Be aware - comments about E. J.'s are, for the most part, not particularly enthusiastic.

I'd vote for Myron & Phil's, my own 80-something in-laws' favorite for family celebrations. Definitely the right vibe for the alter cocker crowd, though as some have reported here the food can be uneven. However, I'm partial to their skirt steak, and Barb has always been happy with their fish. (Then again, my mother in law was recently at Lieberman Nursing Home for a few days recuperating from surgery, and all we heard from my father in law was how wonderful the meals are in the dining room and that maybe we should have them cater my son's upcoming wedding.)
>>Brent

I certainly would second Allgauer's as a solid celebratory option. However, my first choice for an auspicious event like a 60th anniversary would be the Country Squire in Grayslake. It may be a bit farther out than you would prefer but it's worth the drive and it's easy to get to. It's 4 miles west of I-94 on route 20.

The restaurant fits your criteria to a tee. It's an elegant setting. The building is a former mansion of a member of the Sears family. It's set on beautiful grounds that are lit in the evening. You can dine early, 6-6:30, and you won't be dining alone. Your dinner will be accompanied by a piano player who does soft dinner music. It's kid friendly. The menu is traditional American with some upscale items. I suggest you ask for one of the round tables near the window. They seat 8 comfortably. I prefer round to long tables because everyone can participate in one conversation. The prices are reasonable. You can check their website which is http://www.csquire.com. Unfortunately, the website doesn't have their complete dinner menu, only limited selections. The menu is actually more extensive. They may be will to fax you their complete menu if you wanted to see it.

Jesper

My favorite is still Ron of Japan. The best lobster tail money can buy and kind of kitchy. And kids love it.

nr706 wrote:

eatchicago wrote:If Skokie is in your zone, E.J.'s immediately came to mind.

There's a discussion of E. J.'s embedded (i.e. you'll have to scroll down a bit) in this thread:

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=2445

Be aware - comments about E. J.'s are, for the most part, not particularly enthusiastic.

Thanks for pointing that out.

I still stand by their steaks and excellent service, if you're in the 'hood.



Best,
Michael

nr706 wrote:There's a discussion of E. J.'s embedded (i.e. you'll have to scroll down a bit) in this thread:

Be aware - comments about E. J.'s are, for the most part, not particularly enthusiastic.

NR,

You and I have opposite viewpoints about EJ's and Don's Fishmarket. I like EJ's, though do find it a beat behind the top couple of Loop steakhouse, and find Don's Fishmarket, the restaurant, "not particularly creative and a bit overpriced"

I do, however, like the bar at Don's Fishmarket. Much less expensive menu, casual atmosphere, though with comfortable tables and good service. The bar serve the same bialy loaves as the restaurant. I can make a very good meal from a small Don's Fishmarket salad, appetizer bucket of mussels and bialy.

Enjoy,
Gary

I do, however, like the bar at Don's Fishmarket.

Maybe there should be a thread on the best bars to eat at - or perhaps it could be "restaurants I do not like so much, but I can eat and drink quite well in their bar, thank you?"

I would nominate Mon Ami Gabi - just order oysters and Sancerre in the bar, skip the restaurant - on this list. I have not been to Don's for a decade or more, and had classified it in the "brute force - expense account" category, but now if I am in the area I might check out that bar.

dicksond wrote:

I do, however, like the bar at Don's Fishmarket.

Maybe there should be a thread on the best bars to eat at - or perhaps it could be "restaurants I do not like so much, but I can eat and drink quite well in their bar, thank you?"

I would nominate Mon Ami Gabi - just order oysters and Sancerre in the bar, skip the restaurant - on this list. I have not been to Don's for a decade or more, and had classified it in the "brute force - expense account" category, but now if I am in the area I might check out that bar.

I definitely like the bar at Don's ... I used to avoid it because it was rather smoky, but the powers that be in Skokie have changed that. (I haven't been in recently; I may be wrong on that.) And I've never considered the other side at Don's to be an expense account-type place ... I think the prices are a bit lower than E.J.'s, or, the other controversial place in that neighborhood, the Charcoal Oven.

As far as other bars, I like The Stained Glass - a small bar, but with great wine flights. And, arguably, Randolph Wine Cellars is all-bar with surprisingly good eats, to my tastes.

The Stained Glass
1735 Benson Ave., Evanston

Randolph Wine Cellars
1415 W. Randolph St., Chicago

Don's Fishmarket and Tavern now both have the same menu. The primary difference, apparently, is that the "Fishmarket" room is more formal, and smoking is still allowed in the "Tavern". [Not sure what the Skokie ordinances have to say about all this, but that's what the web site says.] I had a very, very tasty fried grouper sandwich in the Tavern about 6 weeks ago, and I seem to recall that people were smoking.

http://www.donsfishmarket.com

Giovanna

I have to admit up front that my cousin is the general manager at Don's. That being said, if you need special attention there, please feel free to pm me and I'll alert her to your needs.

She is aware of this board (through my rantings and ravings) and while she always goes the extra mile, would probably go a few yards further for a fellow LTHer.

Suzy

Wow, thanks everybody. I'll keep you posted as to where we finally end up.