116238 Tue Jul 06 18:31:17 -0700 2004 16 7 Chicago Area 0 634764 Understanding that the type of cuisine varies by taste... but regardless... If you could pick any restaurant in Chicago, which one would you dine at before popping the big question? Tue Jul 06 18:31:17 -0700 2004 0 memyselfandi 1 634766 Personally I would look for a place that has a great location and leads to a very romantic spot - either during the meal or after. With that criteria, the logical suggestion that immediately comes to mind is North Pond Café. Great food, and an really awesomely romantic location (though in some seasons it is less so than others). For myself, I would probably pick a place that holds deep personal meaning either specifically that restaurant or the cuisine, or both. Something that resonates throughout the relationship. I would also suggest a place that has really great service and food, but is not (unless this is a key part of your relationship) all about the food - on the night of a proposal the focus should be on the two of you, not the food or wines etc. With that in mind, some further suggestions: - Le Colonial - request the balcony tables on the 2nd floor (explain the occasion), have a great tasty meal and propose on the balcony. On Rush St., upscale Vietnamese. - Nomi - personally I was slight disappointed with the food, but if you get the table with a view (again explain the situation) it is quite stunning and the food gets raves from many people (and wins awards). On Michigan Ave at Chicago (Park Hyatt) - Spiaggia - gets raves for Italian as well as for the view of Michigan Ave. Expensive, but the service and food is supposed to be extremely good. 900 N. Michigan Ave. - Everest - possibly too stuffy for the occasion, but again very upscale, great service, and a great view/location. Downtown. - Ravinia. Okay, not a restaurant, but get a picnic (catered if you have to), get some tickets, and propose to great music on a summer's night. Alternatively a concert in Grant Park could be similar, but less upscale (frequently). If there is a place where you had a great date, or perhaps even your first date, that probably would be better. Or if you want to propose in a particular manner, pick a place near that - for example pick a place on Michigan ave (or nearby) then take a horse drawn carriage ride and propose in the ride. Enjoy and best wishes! Shannon Tue Jul 06 19:20:15 -0700 2004 634764 0 Shannon Clark 2 634768 Just about a year ago my (at the time) boyfriend took me to Ambria for dinner. Over dessert he became my fiance and has since become my husband. Ambria was wonderful - great food, very quiet, wonderful service, and the park right outside - where we went for a walk after, to celebrate the night. Congratulations and good luck. Tue Jul 06 19:43:57 -0700 2004 634766 0 Claudia 3 634790 Wherever your first date was. Someplace meaningful to you two. Wed Jul 07 10:12:13 -0700 2004 634768 0 Rich 4 634818 I got goosebumps reading all the creative ideas. Please write back after the big event and give us all (or most of) the juicy details. Congratulations. Wed Jul 07 14:00:04 -0700 2004 634790 0 janeyb 2 634770 Ravinia would be a great spot - music, ambiance - but it's definitely weather dependent and if you want it to be private you'll be surrounded by people. That being said, a proposal under the stars listening to fantastic music and then cuddling on your blanket is about as romantic as you can get. NoMi is another good recommendation. The food is good, although a bit pricey, but then again you're paying for the view. Horse-drawn carriages are just around the corner from NoMi. Spiaggia's food, service, and view are outstanding. Need I say more? If you're looking for something a little more reasonable but with an intimate atmosphere, incredible food (chef used to work at Spiaggia), and non-intrusive service, I suggest Saffron on Hubbard. It just opened at 111 W. Hubbard. Latin cuisine with Mediterranean and Asian influences, so the Latin aspect is softened (no piles of guacamole and sour cream). As Shannon recommended, at any place you choose let them know the occassion to ensure the best table and service. Good luck and congrats! Link: http://www.thelocaltourist.com/restaurants/restaurants.htm Tue Jul 06 21:31:55 -0700 2004 634766 0 Theresa Carter 2 634771 "Ravinia. Okay, not a restaurant, but get a picnic (catered if you have to), get some tickets, and propose to great music on a summer's night." I hate to break the bubble on the romanticism of a Ravinia proposal. If it is Chicago Symphony and the serious music crowd, then your proposal unless whispered directly in her ear will be considered too loud. If she can keep a poker face and not get very emotive, then you can probably get away with a very, very quiet proposal. If it is popular music, there is very little crowd control and people are chatting throughout the concert, then you can propose away and nobody will notice. On Monday nights at the Botanic Gardens until mid August, there are carillon concerts. The serious music crowd shows up for this but you can move your picnic away from others because the people are much more scattered. mmi - I really think this is a personal decision and you should know the answer. Regards, Cathy2 Tue Jul 06 21:52:25 -0700 2004 634766 0 Cathy2 3 634784 As a fellow Highland Parker I agree with Cathy's comments about Ravinia. The Botanic Garden suggestion is excellent -- it's always a beautiful setting. Keep in mind that the Garden closes at sunset. Good luck! Wed Jul 07 07:35:46 -0700 2004 634771 0 George R 4 634796 It is lovely there. And, of course, one could follow up with a wedding at the Botanic Gardens as well. Also, if you wanted to do something really clever, like they always do in cute novels and soap operas, maybe you could enlist the staff there to help you hide the ring in a rose bush or something (maybe not such a good idea; a deer might eat it.) We always bring Hecky's fried chicken to our picnics there, but something a bit more elegant might be in order for this occasion. Wed Jul 07 11:11:10 -0700 2004 634784 0 ToniG 1 634775 I agree that it's hard to go wrong with Spiaggia because of the view and because (in my experience) they know how to make you feel special. I also agree about not doing it at the Ravinia Festival. It's too much of a zoo. The Ravinia Bistro, now, I could see choosing for proposing to someone, albeit not during the festival season. They would probably fix up something extra nice for you. I think that a smaller restaurant might be a good way to go-- something where you know she will like the food, but not a typical place to propose. If you might be proposing in September or October, I would suggest a dinner at a low-key place such as Betise in Wilmette (Winnekta?) followed by a proposal under the stars on one of the nearby beaches. In my experience, you can get away with opening a bottle of champagne on the beach in the off-season. Good luck! Tue Jul 06 23:08:05 -0700 2004 634764 0 bibi rose 2 634822 I agree that Ravinia Bistro is a very nice small restaurant, but it does get really busy before big concerts so timing is an issue. If you do want to pop the question there (or at any other restaurant) do let staff know in advance -- they love to help make such occasions special. Wed Jul 07 16:14:13 -0700 2004 634775 0 George R 1 634781 What a heavy question... The first things that popped in my mind were "stunning locations /views" like Everest or the Signature Room at Hancock. Spiaggia or Nomi both sound cool too... at Nomi you might incorporate one of those horse buggy rides you can pick up out front into the occasion. North Pond can be a nice romantic location but you never know what riff-raff might be wandering around the pond at nite. But here's another option: Do a dinner cruise and go out on the lake. Pop the question with the Skyline of Chicago shimmering off of Lake Michigan in the background. Take a camera so someone can take your picture before/after the proposal with the skyline in the view. Very best wishes. Wed Jul 07 01:57:28 -0700 2004 634764 0 Chicago Mike 1 634808 I would go to La Fontanella (2414 S. Oakley Ave., Tel: (773) 927-5249). It's not an impressive place and there's no view. While the food is solid and consistent, it is not cutting-edge by any means. What better way to focus on what's important. Besides the place is filled with memories and makes me want to fall in love all over again. Check it out for yourself. The waiter will want to get to know you after your first visit and I'm sure the kitchen would help dish up something special for a special day. Wed Jul 07 12:35:11 -0700 2004 634764 0 Clevelander 1 634831 If only you could combine Ambria and Cite - I know I know - that equals Everest. If you want the best food - then go for Ambria. Great everything - food, atmosphere and service. Make sure that you tell them what's up when you make your reservation! If you want the best city views - go to Cite on one of the Navy Pier fireworks nights. During the summer fireworks are Wednesday and Saturday. Check the Navy Pier website for the scheduled times for the fireworks shows and propose in the midst of the show. Spectacular! Cite is on top of Lake Point Towers. Please note that Phil Vettel's 2001 review was not enthusiastic. Wed Jul 07 20:46:24 -0700 2004 634764 0 oneworld 1 634845 Pluton is on fire. Can't do better now. Thu Jul 08 10:11:17 -0700 2004 634764 0 iknowteanswer 2 634907 A friend who loves to eat out told me recently that he and his wife had an unhappy experience at Pluton, primarily service, though they weren't impressed by several dishes either. Fri Jul 09 16:32:19 -0700 2004 634845 0 George R 3 634909 I've kept mum because Pluton's has been so wildly well received by so many, but we live close to Jackie's Bistro in Evanston (his previous restaurant), and never thought that much of it. We did suffer through indifferent service and okay but not fantastic food, but kept going back because it was so close and everyone else kept raving about it. But we finally gave up after being disappointed one final time. So we won't be rushing to Pluton's, despite the hype, and it is interesting to hear that there are at least a few other disappointed Pluton diners out there. But obviously others feel very, very differently. Fri Jul 09 17:52:46 -0700 2004 634907 0 ToniG