dinner for 40?

Hey Chicago folks,
We're trying to put together a 75th birthday dinner for my dad, who grew up on the south side.
Are there any wonderful restaurants that you might recommend for such a party, especially some that won't completely bust the piggy bank?
• The party would be on Aug. 26. I know: short notice.
• Many of us, including my father, will be staying downtown in the financial district.

Any and all assistance is much appreciated.

Hi,

We do private dinners at our art gallery in River North. Beautiful setting for a special dinner, wonderful food (we do catering in-house), but you can bring in an outside caterer if your wish, affordable, no corkage fees... email me at PortiaBL@yahoo.com or call at 312.320.4145. I can email you catering info as well as gallery specifics.
Portia Belloc Lowndes / Belloc Lowndes Fine Art / 215 W. Huron

Hi there!

Brasserie Jo has a private dining room that can fit 40 (or more). It's located near the financial district and serves French-American bistro cuisine. Happy Birthday to your dad!

Brasserie Jo
59 W. Hubbard St.
312-595-0800

My office rented out Heaven on Seven (original Wabash location) for our annual dinner last year. It was a lot of fun. We were about 40 people, had the whole place to ourselves. I don't know the cost, but the food is ordinarily not expensive. www.heavenonseven.com

Does your dad have a particular favorite cuisine? When I worked in the Loop a few years ago, our company had numerous lunches and dinners at various restaurants. Russian Tea Time was a hit although some of my Russian co-workers complained that the food was not 100% authentic, it was still very good. In Greek town, Greek Islands was also a popular choice with rooms that can handle your party easily. If you are willing to take a cab or the Red Line to Chinatown, Lee Wing Wah has a whole second floor for group dinners. The owner/manager should be able to help with the menu and give you a decent group rate. The fare is mostly Cantonese with some Szechuan. Finally, Maggiano's Little Italy. It has a reputation for giving big portions. Our experience at Maggiano's was okay but I defer to other posters if they have other, better choices for Italian cuisine.

Russian Tea Time
77 E. Adams St.
312-360-0000

Greek Islands
200 S. Halsted St.
312-782-9855

Lee Wing Wah Restaurant
2147 S. China Pl.
Chinatown Square
312-808-1628


Maggiano's Little Italy
516 N. Clark St.
312-644-7700

perhaps you should consult the replies in the other thread that you posted on this subject...

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=9507