90th birthday dinner

We're taking my mother out this weekend to celebrate her 90th birthday!
I'm looking for a restaurant that will satisfy the following criteria:
- quiet! (why are restaurants so loud these days?)
- special (not the usual cheap hole-in-the wall places that we love)
- would not be too uncomfortable for my 10 year old son (he is an adventurous eater; I just don't want people giving us dirty looks for bringing a child)
- in the city. We have a car and are willing to drive but we'll be starting from the River North neighborhood.
- takes reservations and we'd be able to get a reservation for Saturday night
- has somewhat interesting food (I'm not excited about an old school steak house.)

Thank you for any help you can give!

I just posted this review of Bellemore, where I ate on Sunday night. I think it would be perfect for your stated needs. In particular, the huge spacing between tables will meet your need for a quiet, conversation-friendly atmosphere.

Another great choice is City Mouse, which I reviewed here. Not terribly noisy, with very creative food.

Both these places have delicious food (not steaks LOL) with a focus on small plates. Neither will bat an eye at a child in your group. Both are in the West Loop, an easy cab/rideshare ride from River North, and with valet parking and inexpensive garages nearby if you decide to drive.

I would also recommend North Pond, which is fairly quiet, has great views and I would think would be very accommodating to your family. It's a bit out of the immediate neighborhood you are looking at but is still easily accessible from River North.

I was in your boat for about ten years with my Grandmother-in-law. If you have the money, the high end hotels in town have some very quiet private rooms. There's no side eye since there's not one else in the room. We had luck at the Park Hyatt, Sofitel and the Waldorf (she lived to be over 100!). In general, while not as sexy, they do have reasonably quiet rooms and availability even in their regular restaurants.

I haven't been there in awhile, but the Tortoise Supper Club had a good vibe and while not super quiet, was reasonable since they had carpet. The same can be said for Russian Tea Time.

Tortoise Supper Club
350 N State St
Chicago, IL

Russian Tea Time
77 E Adams St
Chicago, IL

Less Nomades is quiet and special.

http://www.lesnomades.net/

I don’t have a place to suggest but I have found many restaurants are willing to work very hard to accommodate you if you have a special reason - and your event is truly special. If you have a hard getting reservations, I’d recommend calling the restaurant directly to see if they can work you in. I’ll bet many places would love to accommodate you.

You might want to take a peek at my "Drunken Introvert"post made the other day, too. I'm sure they'd be good even if the celebrant is a sober extrovert.

(Sorry, I forget how to link. viewtopic.php?p=541343)

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. We had to postpone the dinner, so we haven't tried any of these excellent options. I appreciate how helpful this online community is.

Pie Lady wrote:You might want to take a peek at my "Drunken Introvert"post made the other day, too. I'm sure they'd be good even if the celebrant is a sober extrovert.

(Sorry, I forget how to link. viewtopic.php?p=541343)

So where did you end up going for your birthday?

pairs4life wrote: {original reply snipped}
So where did you end up going for your birthday?

She is probably too embarrassed to relate it was here.