A light supper?

We're going out for a birthday celebration in a couple of weeks, and I'm having a little trouble planning the itinerary. I know the night will end at Chocolate at the Pen (I've been doing the visual equivalent of holding my hands over my ears and saying "la la la" while I read that discussion), but I can't figure out what would be an appropriate meal beforehand.

What's your favorite spot when you just want a light supper? Sushi? A cheese plate? I want something festive and maybe a little bit swank, but nothing that take stomach space away from the enormous dessert that will come a couple of hours later.

I dig Wine Bin Cafe -- many cheeses that can be easily coordinated with wine by the glass or flights, and small plates of more substantial items as well.

Hammond

Before reading Hammond's reply, I was thinking Bin 36, located right next to the House of Blues. I've never eaten a main dish there. We go and have a flight of wine, a cheese plate and some other appetizers. I've found the service friendly and the room comfortable. If I don't want a big meal I like noshing on appetizers so as to get variety.

Jonah

Ditto on Bin 36 downstairs. Many options there, including small platters and cheese flights.

One other alternative for a light meal is Follia, where my wife and I occasionally split one of their antipasto platters and a pizza, along with a couple of glasses of wine. It gives us the opportunity to visit one of Chicago's better Italian restaurants -- and sample one of the best pizzas in town, if you like the kind served in Milan -- at a moderate cost.

Jonah wrote:Before reading Hammond's reply, I was thinking Bin 36, located right next to the House of Blues. I've never eaten a main dish there. We go and have a flight of wine, a cheese plate and some other appetizers. I've found the service friendly and the room comfortable. If I don't want a big meal I like noshing on appetizers so as to get variety.

Jonah

you prefer a bunch of appetizers? that seems like a pretty close definition of what Tapas is... and I don't know where you're from, but tapas isn't as well known across the country as a lot of things... so it could be a great and unique dining experience...

If you're already in River North, I recommend Cafe Iberico... good tapas... I'm not sure if they take reservations, but if they do I would do that (otherwise you'll have to wait 20-30 mins on just about any night...). its not all that swanky, but it is not TGIF's either (also, if you ask to be seated in the room that is south of the bar, its a little nicer).

Bin 36 is good too though :O though i've only had lunches there, so can't speak to their dinner (though its a great place to drink wine at night... ;P)

Thanks, everyone! Bin 36 it will be - how can I turn down cheese in the corncob buildings?