So the wife and I get the rare chance this weekend to go out on the town without the kid. Trying to decide where to have dinner. Looking for something north side-ish, or maybe near west side, in the city. Something nice, but not I-have-to-wear-a-tie nice. Really good food, nice selection of wines and beers. And no loud music or bands - I want a place we can actually talk.

 

Suggestions?

 

So the wife and I get the rare chance this weekend to go out on the town without the kid. Trying to decide where to have dinner. Looking for something north side-ish, or maybe near west side, in the city. Something nice, but not I-have-to-wear-a-tie nice. Really good food, nice selection of wines and beers. And no loud music or bands - I want a place we can actually talk.

 

Suggestions?

What kind of food do you like?

 

I just went to a great place called Blue 13 on Erie. Small and intimate setting where the chef makes meals fresh and sometimes comes out to chat. Really top notch food and a decent wine selection. Service was excellent. Its a modern play on traditional food.

 

But once again I could add more spots if I know what you are looking for. I eat out. Alot.

Yes I live on the same block as Blue 13, not bad......

 

How about a little more info?

Green Zebra

 

Hachi's Kitchen

 

Knew

 

 

Yes I live on the same block as Blue 13, not bad......

 

How about a little more info?

Half price wine night there is very nice.

Green Zebra

 

Hachi's Kitchen

 

Knew

Are you a veggie?

Are you a veggie?

Yeah. Only Green Zebra of the 3 is considered a veg restaurant although they typically have one seafood dish. It's Chicago's only higher end veg restaurant. It's the guy who also owns Spring and Chophouse Custom House.

 

Knew just opened up by my house and focuses on eco-friendly sustainable foods. They have plenty of meat on the menu.

 

Hachi's is my local sushi/Asain place that I really enjoy. Cool venue and great food.

Edited December 2, 200916 yr by BigSqwert

What kind of food do you like?

 

I just went to a great place called Blue 13 on Erie. Small and intimate setting where the chef makes meals fresh and sometimes comes out to chat. Really top notch food and a decent wine selection. Service was excellent. Its a modern play on traditional food.

 

But once again I could add more spots if I know what you are looking for. I eat out. Alot.

Well, eliminate the following: Sushi, vegetarian, Indian/Pakistani, Pizza, Italian, Mexican/Latin. Not what I am looking for and/or one of us won't eat it and/or something we do too often. Also, no chains.

 

A place with some variety is good, not too narrow. A really good steak house would be great, but so would any place that does some unique things. A place that takes reservations is preferable. My wife drinks wine but I drink beer - GOOD beer, not Miller Lite - so a place that has a good list of wines AND beers, to go with really good food, would be excellent. Its amazing how hard it is to find a good restaurant that also has a wide selection of beers.

 

Yeah. Only Green Zebra of the 3 is considered a veg restaurant although they typically have one seafood dish. It's Chicago's only higher end veg restaurant. It's the guy who also owns Spring and Chophouse Custom House.

 

Knew just opened up by my house and focuses on eco-friendly sustainable foods. They have plenty of meat on the menu.

 

Hachi's is my local sushi/Asain place that I really enjoy. Cool venue and great food.

Knew sounds interesting, I'll have to look into that one, especially since I know where you live, so this place must be nearby for us too.

 

Well, eliminate the following: Sushi, vegetarian, Indian/Pakistani, Pizza, Italian, Mexican/Latin. Not what I am looking for and/or one of us won't eat it and/or something we do too often. Also, no chains.

 

So the S&M Cafe is out of the running then?

 

I always wanted to go to Green Zebra.

I always wanted to go to Green Zebra.

It's a bit pricey for my taste although browsing at the menu wouldn't tip you off. They portions are kind of tapas style so you wind up ordering a bunch of things. At $9 or $10 a pop it adds up. But you have to try it once.

Damn, I miss good tapas down here.

So the S&M Cafe is out of the running then?

 

Damn, I was going to let them have my booth.

It's a bit pricey for my taste although browsing at the menu wouldn't tip you off. They portions are kind of tapas style so you wind up ordering a bunch of things. At $9 or $10 a pop it adds up. But you have to try it once.

 

 

I've been wanting to go eat a fancy dinner, but most fancy places are steak houses or seafood places.

 

 

Marche?

or Blackbird

Well, eliminate the following: Sushi, vegetarian, Indian/Pakistani, Pizza, Italian, Mexican/Latin. Not what I am looking for and/or one of us won't eat it and/or something we do too often. Also, no chains.

 

A place with some variety is good, not too narrow. A really good steak house would be great, but so would any place that does some unique things. A place that takes reservations is preferable. My wife drinks wine but I drink beer - GOOD beer, not Miller Lite - so a place that has a good list of wines AND beers, to go with really good food, would be excellent. Its amazing how hard it is to find a good restaurant that also has a wide selection of beers.

Check out Blue 13 that I sent you, VERY good. I usually drink one of their mircobrews.

 

Also Sepia, blackbird, Redlight are near west and good.

 

And for steakhouses, David Burkes is really f-in good.

Edited December 2, 200916 yr by RockRaines

Yeah. Only Green Zebra of the 3 is considered a veg restaurant although they typically have one seafood dish. It's Chicago's only higher end veg restaurant. It's the guy who also owns Spring and Chophouse Custom House.

 

Knew just opened up by my house and focuses on eco-friendly sustainable foods. They have plenty of meat on the menu.

 

Hachi's is my local sushi/Asain place that I really enjoy. Cool venue and great food.

I was going to say you have excellent taste in veggie friendly places. Do you like Karyn's restaurants?

I was going to say you have excellent taste in veggie friendly places. Do you like Karyn's restaurants?

I've only been to Karyn's Cooked once and enjoyed it. Will need to check out Raw.

I've only been to Karyn's Cooked once and enjoyed it. Will need to check out Raw.

She's apparently building a new place in the west loop on Green and Adams in the old Green Room/butter space. I am really looking forward to it.

Ah. Good to know. I'll have to check it out.

 

FYI - My long term goal is to open up a vegan brunch spot in the city.

Edited December 2, 200916 yr by BigSqwert

Check out Blue 13 that I sent you, VERY good. I usually drink one of their mircobrews.

 

Also Sepia, blackbird, Redlight are near west and good.

 

And for steakhouses, David Burkes is really f-in good.

I'll check out those as well. Thanks for the info!

 

I'll check out those as well. Thanks for the info!

Although it's not sushi, Redlight is pacific rim so keep that in mind. Awesome food though. I should know since I used to work there.

Although it's not sushi, Redlight is pacific rim so keep that in mind. Awesome food though. I should know since I used to work there.

I've actually eaten at Redlight before, thought it was quite good.