Seriously Hate This Task
March 28, 2017 8:54 AM Subscribe
Need a restaurant for Chicago, for dinner, this Thursday, for 7. Must have: good cocktails, at least one vegetarian option that is not pasta. Not be south of Congress, not be north of Montrose. Budget is pretty flexible, looking for nicer or something with a little wow factor, like a view. One diner really hates shared plates--so no small plate communal eating thing.
Places that are out because they don't have availability or don't offer any actual dinner, not shared plates. without meat: Cindy's, Cherry Circle Room, Green River, Sable, North Pond, Eden.
Places that are out because they don't have availability or don't offer any actual dinner, not shared plates. without meat: Cindy's, Cherry Circle Room, Green River, Sable, North Pond, Eden.
Best answer: Untitled Supper Club is close to what you want, I think. They have shared plates, BUT also entree-sized dishes. They call them shared entrees, but just ignore the "shared". Also, their vegetarian option is a pasta, BUT - you could put together a pretty great no-pasta vegetarian meal by ordering 3-4 sides. It's in a basement, but a very classy one.
I've never been, but maybe Le Colonial? Or Fifolet , a new Cajun place up in Wicker Park? (they also advertise shared plates, but it seems easily ignored and that vegetarian gumbo is calling out to me)
posted by Fig at 9:21 AM on March 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've never been, but maybe Le Colonial? Or Fifolet , a new Cajun place up in Wicker Park? (they also advertise shared plates, but it seems easily ignored and that vegetarian gumbo is calling out to me)
posted by Fig at 9:21 AM on March 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Le Colonial has great cocktails, great variety of food (I ate there as a vegetarian multiple times). Well worth it.
posted by adorap0621 at 10:18 AM on March 28, 2017
posted by adorap0621 at 10:18 AM on March 28, 2017
Lula Cafe in Logan Square is excellent for vegetarians, and should accommodate a group fairly well; their dessert is consistently excellent. Longman & Eagle also has excellent cocktails, and at least 1 non-pasta vegetarian entree, but I don't think they take reservations.
posted by staraling at 11:27 AM on March 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by staraling at 11:27 AM on March 28, 2017 [1 favorite]
Lula was my first thought - it is my favorite place and can please a crowd. My only hesitation is that it has a more casual/friendly vibe, which I appreciate but may not fit the bill of "nicer" or "wow factor." For an easy go-to place for a fancy group, I would think about Spiaggia - not totally sure about a non-pasta vegi option there, though. It's expensive, but the food is always very solid and it has an impressive lake view. Their room is huge so they probably have seats. I love Longman but I'm skeptical that they can handle a group well (service seems to get more flaky there as the group gets bigger, in my experience; kitchen may be too small to coordinate a large table). Totally random - I've had a few work things recently at Kitchen on Clark Street and they have handled larger tables well and the food has been good - all-around "American" stuff, nothing wacky, probably good for a crowd. Wouldn't go there on my own for fun, but you get the idea.
posted by Mid at 12:35 PM on March 28, 2017
posted by Mid at 12:35 PM on March 28, 2017
Lula for sure. (I think it's plenty nice.)
posted by Charity Garfein at 12:41 PM on March 28, 2017
posted by Charity Garfein at 12:41 PM on March 28, 2017
PF Chang's might work if you have trouble with availability in the trendier places. Has cocktails, nice vegetarian menu, though likely more impressive to non-Chicagoans.
posted by typecloud at 1:32 PM on March 28, 2017
posted by typecloud at 1:32 PM on March 28, 2017
+3 for Le Colonial which is French/Vietnamese (hence the name) and my standard answer for questions like this. Consistent and nice but not outrageous (by Chicago standards) and the vegetarians I eat with find it an excellent choice. It's two levels and you can request upstairs where the bar is.
posted by zenon at 1:41 PM on March 28, 2017
posted by zenon at 1:41 PM on March 28, 2017
Lula Cafe fit the bill for me. But then again, I'm suburban.
posted by princesspathos at 1:50 PM on March 28, 2017
posted by princesspathos at 1:50 PM on March 28, 2017
Nthing Spiaggia (they're mum about what the Obamas eat)
posted by brujita at 3:14 PM on March 28, 2017
posted by brujita at 3:14 PM on March 28, 2017
Best answer: Too bad you said not north of Montrose, because Band of Bohemia on Ravenswood just north of Montrose is a brewery known for great cocktails & creative food, and def has an interior architecture "wow" factor.
Totally different restaurant with a similar name, Bohemian House in River North. Gorgeous and imaginative interior design, fun drinks, and both shared and separate cuisine options.
posted by lieber hair at 4:59 PM on March 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
Totally different restaurant with a similar name, Bohemian House in River North. Gorgeous and imaginative interior design, fun drinks, and both shared and separate cuisine options.
posted by lieber hair at 4:59 PM on March 28, 2017 [2 favorites]
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posted by ghostpony at 9:16 AM on March 28, 2017