29th Anniversary dinner

Hi all-
My husband and I will be celebrating our 29th anniversary this coming Sunday and for the life of me, I just can't come up with an idea for dinner. It's been a tough year for me so not feeling like doing an over the top celebration. We've been to Alinia/Oriole & the like - certainly not up for something at that level right now. I definitely would like to avoid the bro scene. Should be able to avoid that since it's a Sunday, and we're also willing to go just about anywhere since traffic may be a little easier early on a Sunday.

Any ideas for a nice, low key celebration?

Thanks!

Timmerman's Supper Club
7777 Timmerman Dr, East Dubuque, IL

... is always our favorite destination.

A B&B in Galena, a leisurely drive on Old Stagecoach Road starting in Freeport...

At the club, a cocktail in the lounge before dinner, a table overlooking the Mississippi from the bluff...

We’ve done this more than once.

We have had a nice low key anniversary dinner at...

Golden Steer Steakhouse
7635 West Roosevelt Rd, Forest Park

Once again cocktails in the lounge. Maybe even dine there?

Just had their 50th anniversary of being in business. You could call them old school.

A couple of my favorite Chicago places come to mind - not the super-upscale places you mention wanting to avoid, but a step down from that, with superb food that will still make you feel special:

North Pond offers its exquisite setting in the middle of the park facing its namesake pond and the skyline looming overhead. Request seating in the front room with the full-length windows, but even the rear room with the open kitchen is fun. James Beard Award-winning chef Bruce Sherman's cooking is always great; his technique is to present multiple items plated together, and chances are you'll like all or most of them.

Band of Bohemia offers its own unique Bohemian decor, and the food is excellent. (They offer an a la carte menu as well as a tasting menu.) You can make it a little more of an adventure by taking the Metra train to their door.

Riffing on another out-of-town suggestion above, traveling a distance to another city makes the destination particularly special. I love dining in Milwaukee; the food is great and it tends to be significantly less expensive than Chicago. My favorites there include Sanford for an upscale meal you say you're trying to avoid (sorry, but had to mention it), Odd Duck for creative small plates (reservations are essential), Dan Dan for Chinese food better than anything in Chicago, Third Coast Provisions for seafood, and Blue's Egg for breakfast/brunch.

If you want to go to a smaller city that is less traveled, consider Fort Wayne, three hours drive. They have a significant Burmese minority with restaurants highlighting their cuisine. For more mainstream American cuisine with global influences that is consistently outstanding, go to BakerStreet. I've been dining there with friends every three months for the past five years, and we never consider anyplace else because it's always been so terrific. Tip: They always have an off-menu special of prime rib, and it's the best prime rib you'll ever have.

Wherever you go, make sure you mention your special occasion when making your reservation.

Maybe Duck Inn?

Another option that’s pricier, but Blackbird never fails to please.

nsxtasy wrote:A couple of my favorite Chicago places come to mind - not the super-upscale places you mention wanting to avoid, but a step down from that, with superb food that will still make you feel special:

North Pond offers its exquisite setting in the middle of the park facing its namesake pond and the skyline looming overhead. Request seating in the front room with the full-length windows, but even the rear room with the open kitchen is fun. James Beard Award-winning chef Bruce Sherman's cooking is always great; his technique is to present multiple items plated together, and chances are you'll like all or most of them.

Band of Bohemia offers its own unique Bohemian decor, and the food is excellent. (They offer an a la carte menu as well as a tasting menu.) You can make it a little more of an adventure by taking the Metra train to their door.

Riffing on another out-of-town suggestion above, traveling a distance to another city makes the destination particularly special. I love dining in Milwaukee; the food is great and it tends to be significantly less expensive than Chicago. My favorites there include Sanford for an upscale meal you say you're trying to avoid (sorry, but had to mention it), Odd Duck for creative small plates (reservations are essential), Dan Dan for Chinese food better than anything in Chicago, Third Coast Provisions for seafood, and Blue's Egg for breakfast/brunch.

If you want to go to a smaller city that is less traveled, consider Fort Wayne, three hours drive. They have a significant Burmese minority with restaurants highlighting their cuisine. For more mainstream American cuisine with global influences that is consistently outstanding, go to BakerStreet. I've been dining there with friends every three months for the past five years, and we never consider anyplace else because it's always been so terrific. Tip: They always have an off-menu special of prime rib, and it's the best prime rib you'll ever have.

Wherever you go, make sure you mention your special occasion when making your reservation.

Thanks! The only place we've been to that you mentioned was North Pond, although many years ago. I'll have a look at the current menu! Unfortunately, it's not likely that we'll be able to get out of town - I love Milwaukee as well.

chicagojim wrote:Maybe Duck Inn?

Another option that’s pricier, but Blackbird never fails to please.

We haven't had dinner at Blackbird in quite some time. We were able to take advantage of their great lunch deal a few summers back, and at the time, I remember both of us thinking that we should go more often. Definitely will look into the current menu - thank you!

Jeong, S.K.Y., Maple & Ash, Monteverde, Maude's Liquor Bar, Boka

Low key, good eats, in the city. Osteria Langhe would be a terrific choice

Bride and I celebrated our anniversary at Band of Bohemia earlier this month, our 5th or 6th time there and one of our favorites.

+ 1 for Timmerman's, we've been a few times, most recently in July when in East Dubuque for a wedding, and thoroughly enjoy the Supper Club on steroids atmosphere, food, service, drive from Chicago and spectacular view.

As an aside, 6 of us spent about 50-minutes pre-dinner at Timmerman's large well run bar. Multiple rounds of drinks, I picked up the tab which was in the low thirties pre-gratuity.

Wife and I had a lovely dinner at Silencieux, part of the new 3-restaurant concept at the old Michael's in Winnetka. Nice, small room (maybe 8 tables) with a 3-course prix-fixe menu.

https://georgetroisgroup.com/silencieux

Just wanted to follow up & thank you all for your suggestions. As I mentioned in my original post, it has been quite a year for me and really just wasn't feeling celebratory, although getting out to dinner seemed like a good idea. I originally made reservations for Blackbird, but ended up cancelling as that just seemed like too much. Grabbed a table at Monteverde, and again, backed out.

Ended up at Forbidden Root of all places. Can't say that it felt much like an anniversary dinner, but sampled a few beers, had some Ramen popcorn, a farro & avocado salad that was quite good, and then a burger for me and the pork schnitzel sandwich for my husband.

Hope to get that dinner at Blackbird when things calm down!

TSmitty wrote:Hope to get that dinner at Blackbird when things calm down!

Happy Anniversary!

At least you have something to look forward to.

Regards,
Cathy2