Awesome restaurants owned by a single company?
February 9, 2010 11:49 AM Subscribe
We've got $250 to spend on dinner in Chicago. Sweet. Difficulty:
It has to be a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, but it can't be Cafe Ba Ba Reeba.
Other than that go wild. It's just two people who can each find something they'll love on any menu you care to name. We can even chip in a bit of our own dough if it becomes necessary, but letting the $250 gift certificate take care of it would be the most preferable option.
It has to be a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, but it can't be Cafe Ba Ba Reeba.
Other than that go wild. It's just two people who can each find something they'll love on any menu you care to name. We can even chip in a bit of our own dough if it becomes necessary, but letting the $250 gift certificate take care of it would be the most preferable option.
I think Applemeat has it. Everest is probably the nicest of the LEY restaurants you could go to where the gift certificate would cover the majority of your meal (I think ... it's been awhile since I've been there). Tru and L2O would likely leave you ponying up a bit of your own dough.
Or you could pick one of the more affordable (yes, that's relative here) options like Shaw's or Joe's and just get a kickass bottle of wine with your meal.
posted by awegz at 12:01 PM on February 9, 2010
Or you could pick one of the more affordable (yes, that's relative here) options like Shaw's or Joe's and just get a kickass bottle of wine with your meal.
posted by awegz at 12:01 PM on February 9, 2010
I think the 3-course menu at Tru is about $100 p.p., so your $250 would just about cover a meal for two there before booze. I actually never made it there, but it certainly gets rave reviews.
posted by chalkbored at 12:06 PM on February 9, 2010
posted by chalkbored at 12:06 PM on February 9, 2010
For a more foodie-oriented place to look for answers (not that MeFites can't be foodies!) or to focus in on a particular LEY cuisine style, you might also try the Chowhound Chicago boards.
posted by webhund at 12:15 PM on February 9, 2010
posted by webhund at 12:15 PM on February 9, 2010
L2O!
(And, I disagree with applemeat: I think gift certificates are lovely.)
posted by onepot at 12:16 PM on February 9, 2010
(And, I disagree with applemeat: I think gift certificates are lovely.)
posted by onepot at 12:16 PM on February 9, 2010
Nthing TRU if you're willing to pony up for your beverages; the food is amazing and the service is impeccable. It is a fine dining experience, not just a meal. You could do the 3 course ($95 each) or the 6 course ($110 each, I believe) and be covered by the GC. Of course, beverages there will be spendy--their wine list, while comprehensive, does not have much in the under $50/bottle range. (Frankly, their wine list is astoundingly expensive; 90% of it is in the three figures and higher and there are a stunning number of four figure bottles on the list. Even by the glass their wines are pricey. I've eaten at some pretty fine dining places in Chicago, and their wine list is by far the most expensive.)
I'd recommend TRU over Everest, but that's really just my personal preference; each is going to be a great meal, but I think Everest's atmosphere has not aged very well and I've heard more than a few negative things about their service recently. The view is absolutely better at Everest, though. :)
Shaw's or Joe's are also great choices, but I prefer Wildfire for steak among the LEYE set.
Also, if you have an LEYE gift certificate, you need not spend it all in once place (unless you want to, of course). You could enjoy at least two nice meals at restaurants in the Wildfire/Tucci Benucch price range.
posted by devinemissk at 12:35 PM on February 9, 2010
I'd recommend TRU over Everest, but that's really just my personal preference; each is going to be a great meal, but I think Everest's atmosphere has not aged very well and I've heard more than a few negative things about their service recently. The view is absolutely better at Everest, though. :)
Shaw's or Joe's are also great choices, but I prefer Wildfire for steak among the LEYE set.
Also, if you have an LEYE gift certificate, you need not spend it all in once place (unless you want to, of course). You could enjoy at least two nice meals at restaurants in the Wildfire/Tucci Benucch price range.
posted by devinemissk at 12:35 PM on February 9, 2010
Oh! And how could I forget? Osteria via Stato or Pizzeria via Stato -- both excellent, the Osteria being more expensive and the Pizzeria being downright delightfully laid back. You could definitely stay within the GC for the whole meal at the Osteria; you'd have lots left over at the Pizzeria.
posted by devinemissk at 12:38 PM on February 9, 2010
posted by devinemissk at 12:38 PM on February 9, 2010
Brasserie Jo is my favorite LEY restaurant. It's not going to be the super fine dining you get at True or Everest, but you'll get a casual environment, with great food and a great beer list.
posted by corpse at 1:16 PM on February 9, 2010
posted by corpse at 1:16 PM on February 9, 2010
For a more foodie-oriented place to look for answers (not that MeFites can't be foodies!) or to focus in on a particular LEY cuisine style, you might also try the Chowhound Chicago boards.
Don't forget LTHForum for superb in depth foodie coverage of all things food related in Chicago and beyond.
posted by kmz at 1:23 PM on February 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Don't forget LTHForum for superb in depth foodie coverage of all things food related in Chicago and beyond.
posted by kmz at 1:23 PM on February 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
I came in here to say LTHForum. This exact question has been discussed there at least twice: 1, 2.
posted by Xalf at 1:41 PM on February 9, 2010
posted by Xalf at 1:41 PM on February 9, 2010
Or you could have the singular experience of going to Magic Pan for crepes and buying everyone in sight a crepe. Crepes for everyone!
posted by fiercecupcake at 1:45 PM on February 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by fiercecupcake at 1:45 PM on February 9, 2010 [1 favorite]
Casting my vote for L2O... they have prix fixe for $110, and I am dying to go...
posted by honeybee413 at 3:25 PM on February 9, 2010
posted by honeybee413 at 3:25 PM on February 9, 2010
Wildfire was the first place I thought of.
posted by SisterHavana at 11:17 PM on February 9, 2010
posted by SisterHavana at 11:17 PM on February 9, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Gift Certificates are so annoying imo....Grrrr...
posted by applemeat at 11:57 AM on February 9, 2010