We will be six people on a Friday night so already that’s an issue. We will be in the Lincoln Park/Old Town area (although nearby ok too). Not looking for Michelin fancy. Nor do we want steaks or BBQ or pizza. Ideas? Suggestions? Although I would love a good and reasonably priced wine list, I’m not going to be too fussy about that either.
Oh, and we’re going out to my SIL’s place in MI and dining at Granor Farm. Has anyone been there?
Here are a few options. None are crazy expensive, and should have good wine lists. They’re also in or close to Lincoln Park/Old Town (no more than 20 minutes driving)
I could give you about 50 more, but I’ll let others chime in as well with suggestions
You will find many “best of” lists that feature the same host of names. Alinea, Asador, Kasama, basically anything on West Randolph, etc. And these are all well and good.
But if you want a truly singular experience, for me the answer is easy: Hermosa.
Cambodian fine dining by a gem of a chef, Ethan Lim. Pre fixe menu. The meal is pricey (I think it came out to $175/pp). The restaurant is tiny, which makes for an intimate dining experience. It’s a bit of a hike from the city proper. The parking is difficult, so I would recommend taking an Uber.
It’s BYOB. No wine list. No corkage. They have excellent stems and decanters. It has become sort of a magnet for wine people in the city, akin to what Noreetuh has become for NYC. It is THE place I take my wine friends when they visit from out of town, and they still fondly recount their meals there years later. Yes, you can go to Avec or somewhere else in the West Loop and have a great time, but if you want a meal you won’t forget, Hermosa is your place.
Well, that sounds very interesting but not right for the evening because one person is kosherish (i.e., no pork or shellfish) and another is pescatarian. So a place with a fixed menu is no go.
But thanks for responding.
another vote for Galit, check availability soon.
Maureen I’d suggest you consider Asador Bastian. They can accommodate a variety of tastes and requirements.
S.K.Y. (typo corrected) and Mon Ami Gabi are both located in the Belden-Stratford building across from the Lincoln Park Zoo. Google to get a better feel for the style of each.
I live near Granor Farm in Three Oaks and buy produce from there regularly. I have not yet tried one of their dinners and am curious to hear what you think.
Mon Abi Gabi is also here in Bethesda. I have not been impressed. What is SLK?
Oh, do you mean S.K.Y.?
Will report back re Michigan.
That’s what I get for typing when half awake. Yes, I meant S.K.Y.
S.K.Y. was BYOB. I called them a few days ago and was told they were no longer, after they moved locations.
I had a fantastic dinner (and some outstanding wines) several months ago at John’s Food and Wine. 2100 block of Halstead. Was so great and so much fun that the next night I canceled plans and ran it back with another friend…
Another vote for Galit. So good.
I also really liked Rose Mary. Food’s great (amazing clams) and it’s quite large and can handle a larger party. https://www.rosemarychicago.com/
Another vote for Galit!
Looking forward to your Granor farm report as we are relatively close but we’ve never been.
My SIL just called all excited because she was able to secure a reservation at Armitage Ale House. Menu looks eh to me - but she encouraged me to ask this group if I should be excited (we were going to Denucci’s her neighborhood Italian). So what say you?
It’s a vibe and a harder to get reservation, but Hogsalt (the restaurant group) generally runs a pretty good operation.
Armitage Alehouse is fine, personally I find it overhyped. As @J_Patrick_Lynch said it’s a tough reservation, so people get excited when they can secure one between the hours of 5pm-9pm.
Hogsalt has some better/equally good restaurants that I have found easier (but still tough) to get into - Ciccio Mio, Trivoli Tavern, Bavette’s, Gilt Bar.
I went to DeNucci’s last Saturday and thought it was fine.
Hey, Maureen. I’ve known Abra Behrens, the chef at Granor ( although I’m not sure she’dknow me other than by sight) for 15 years or so. Her food is pretty straightforward and grounded and focuses on what’s out of the field currently. Granor is the perfect place for her, although I’ve not eaten there.
A casual spot that I’ve found that visitors really enjoy is Gaijin in the Fulton Market area that focuses on okonomayaki and kakagori. Owned and run by Paul Virant who’s done solid restaurants in Chicago for decades and who is a master in pickling, which is reflected on the menu. No wine program
Shaws Crab House!
Another vote for Rose Mary. Superb food, good wine list. Nice space.
I’m not a pot pie fan, but I really enjoyed that part of the Armitage Alehouse menu. They also have a great burger on the menu. Casual spot with a European feel - I’m a fan. Wine list is just meh, though.