Swanky Recommendations

Just got this request for recommendation for a friend traveling to Chicago from San Francisco. I gave her Kiki's Bistro and MK as options, but know that you all would have way more insight. Can you help?

"My parents and I are swinging through Chicago
for a night before heading to Wisconsin for a wedding
in July. It's my mom's birthday, so we are going out.
My brother made reservations at Tru. I hear it's going
to be no less thatn $500 for the four of us. I'm
wondering if you have any suggestions for a place we
can go that's nice, good for parents, slightly swanky
but maybe more like $300 for the four of us? Any
ideas?"

Thanks in advance.

Can't go wrong with Naha. It's been discussed in a few threads.

http://www.naha-chicago.com/

Naha
500 N. Clark
312.321.6242[/url]

I like Crofton on Wells for dinners with parents. It's a quiet room, which is a lot easier for older people. (Naha, which I agree is a great restaurant, is ear-splittingly loud.) The food is excellent and sophisticated but not crazy or avant-garde. And I have always found the service to be very professional.

dburch wrote:Just got this request for recommendation for a friend traveling to Chicago from San Francisco. I gave her Kiki's Bistro and MK as options, but know that you all would have way more insight. Can you help?

Thanks in advance.

I wouldn't classify Kiki's Bistro as "swanky." MK would be good, as would David Burke's or Custom House or Spring. If the parents are willing to do smaller plates in a mostly vegetarian, I'd go with Green Zebra.

North Pond might fit the bill. I was just there last week, have been meaning to post. Unique space, right on a little pond, with a great view of the city.

2610 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, 60614 - (773) 477-5845

messycook wrote:North Pond might fit the bill. I was just there last week, have been meaning to post. Unique space, right on a little pond, with a great view of the city.

2610 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, 60614 - (773) 477-5845

I'm not sure you could eat at North Pond with four people for the original poster's desired $300 price point. In my opinion, there are better meals to be had in this city for less money.

"my opinion, there are better meals to be had in this city for less money."

Maybe you could help out the original poster by listing some of them.

johnny wrote:

messycook wrote:North Pond might fit the bill. I was just there last week, have been meaning to post. Unique space, right on a little pond, with a great view of the city.

2610 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, 60614 - (773) 477-5845

I'm not sure you could eat at North Pond with four people for the original poster's desired $300 price point. In my opinion, there are better meals to be had in this city for less money.

You could do it, if you skip dessert and/or limit wine to a glass or two rather than a bottle. Appetizers start at $8.00, most entrees are below $30. If everybody can keep it under $57 each, which is completely do-able, that's $228 before tax and tip (say, 30% of the pre-tax tab, or $68 ) -- total, $296. You won't be having the tasting meal ($76 each), but you will eat very well.

messycook wrote:"my opinion, there are better meals to be had in this city for less money."

Maybe you could help out the original poster by listing some of them.

I'll assume you were sincere in your request - and not passive-aggressive like I initially thought.
I have had better meals for less money at the following places - all of which may suit the original poster's criteria of "swanky".

Avec
Blackbird
Volo
(newly opened) Fixture
Schwa (although a reservation any time soon is unlikely)
Think (maybe not so "swanky" as the others)
Custom House ($300 for four may be ambitious, though)

To name a few.

Of course, this is all a matter of taste (no pun intended). I know from a previous post of yours that you recently had a pleasant experience at North Pond - which is great. Personally, I've been underwhelmed when I've dined there. I still think a $300 tab for four is going to be a challenge.

My two pennies.

While I have enjoyed the food at Fixture, I don't think I'd take my mother or inlaws, who are in their early to late 60s, there. I don't think the DJ would be well received and may be a bit loud for their liking.

Een wrote:While I have enjoyed the food at Fixture, I don't think I'd take my mother or inlaws, who are in their early to late 60s, there. I don't think the DJ would be well received and may be a bit loud for their liking.

Agreed.
However, I'll gladly go there when I'm 60.