118830 Thu Dec 01 09:47:35 -0800 2005 9 7 Chicago Area 0 648459 Can someone rec. a REALLY GREAT place near Oak Lawn for dinner? This will be an expensed meals... Just looking for the one absolute best, not to be missed meal. Open to all types of cuisine. Also - if you had 1 night in Chicago, coming from Oak Lawn, where would you eat? Sorry to generalize so much! Thu Dec 01 09:47:35 -0800 2005 0 Michele Cindy 1 648460 I found this great link! Just need Oak Lawn info now... Link: http://www.chowhound.com/midwest/boards/chicago/messages/46906.html Thu Dec 01 09:53:33 -0800 2005 648459 0 Michele Cindy 2 648462 Palermo's on 95th St. just east of Cicero Ave. In Oak Lawn can serve up some good old-school red-sauce Italian in a rococo setting. I was once treated to an expense account meal there, and the cavalcade of appetizers on platters--calamari, sausage with peppers, and the like--was tasty and fun. This is the kind of joint where you might ask the kitchen to make what you don't see on the menu. I've the impression the management considers fulfilling such requests part of its manhood. I've never been to Hacienda Jalapenos in nearby Oak Forest, but reports are that despite the cute name the restaurant serves innovative haute cuisine Mexican. Good luck. Thu Dec 01 11:14:46 -0800 2005 648460 0 Mugs 3 648504 There aren't too many upscale places in that area, and they're all kind of old school. Palermo's is one, so is Petey's Bungalow. Oak Forest has Jack Gibbon's Garden, which is in a forest preserve and probably has the nicest setting. Link: http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=4994 Sun Dec 04 09:11:31 -0800 2005 648462 0 Tracy 2 648612 I second the Jack Gibbons sugestion, They are in Oak Forest, an old school style steak house, very popular for good reason. Also try Chuck's in Burbank, they had a fire a while ago but should be opening soon; terriffic Cajun, Tex Mex, BBQ, etc. One of the spots I can get North Siders to travel south of Cermak road for. Thu Dec 08 11:43:43 -0800 2005 648460 0 atomicman 1 648488 To pick one splurge place in Chicago, it really depends on your food passions and tolerances. The most-hyped (and most deservng of the hype) restaurant in Chicago right now, by far, is Alinea. It, too, has some vocal detractors, but I think those people either don't "get it" or they're just too set in their perceptions to be open to a new experience. If you're really into experimental cuisine, there's also Moto. Other unique-to-Chicago splurges are Topolombampo (very high-end Mexican, arguably the best in the country), TRU (ultra-luxe modern French, outstanding service, celebrity chefs and patrons), Spiaggia (considered one of the best Italian restaurants in the US), Green Zebra (nationally acclaimed vegetable-focused fine dining...not "granola-head vegetarian"). There are dozens of excellent restaurants in Chicago, a handful of truly world-class places, and a huge number of very good ones at every price level and food type. If you consider yourself a "foodie" (I hate than term) or gourmand or whatever, then Alinea is definitely THE place. But if you just want great chow, you'll need to narrow down your preferences for us. Fri Dec 02 14:37:26 -0800 2005 648459 0 Pugman 1 648517 I really enjoy Courtright's on Archer Ave. in Willow Springs. They are gourmet, somewhat pricey, but consistently very good. They also have a fantastic wine collection and sommelier to help with your choices. Louie's Chophouse on 103rd & Cicero is close to you and also very good. Their steaks are yummy! Orland Park also has some good selections such as Cooper's Hawk (156th & Harlem) and I've heard good things about 94West. Good luck! Mon Dec 05 00:47:18 -0800 2005 648459 0 BMC 1 648541 The food and atmosphere is definately more "old school" than trendy, but I always enjoy going to the Old Barn in Burbank (just north of Oak Lawn). It's an old fashion, classy place with very good (although I admit, not great) food. There are two dining rooms, one of which still (as of last Jan) required "gentlemen to wear a coat and tie". I find it a perfect place to take out of town guests to show them the tradition of old Chicago dining. Also, here are some of my (and my family's) menu tips: --The fried chicken is classic and good. --The Lobster Bently (similar to a Lobster scampi) is a house favorite. --The house dressing (French w/roquefort) is an interesting change of pace dressing but very heavy. --If you have never tried Chicago style bbq ribs (the famous/infamous "meat jelly"), The Old Barn is THE perfect example of them. You can order a small serving of them as an appetizer. For all that they get knocked by chowhounds, a lot of people seem to like them. HFG Link: http://www.theoldbarn.biz/ Mon Dec 05 15:59:05 -0800 2005 648459 0 HappyFatGuy 1 648628 The businesses I went to see had their own plans... so I didn't get to go anywhere I really would have like to. The best meal I had was at Morton's: I had the rib eye, we shared a huge lobster tail, 2 salads, asapragus with hollandaise, and really good hash browns. The steak was excellent. Next day went to lunch at Bertucci's in Bridgeview, nothing good to comment about, dinner that night was at Ditkas, 2 1/4lb lobster really good considering they're known more for meat. The clarified butter was noticable great. Mini lamb chops also good. I liked the fries with everything on them a lot, they had cheese whiz and something else on them I'd even like to do those at home. I never got my Chicago style hot dog, I'll have to save that for the next time. Fri Dec 09 08:24:23 -0800 2005 648459 0 Michele Lynn 1 649188 I may have posted this too late, but for anyone else looking for places in Oak Lawn, my all time favorite pizza is from Palermo's on 95th and Cicero. They have excellent Italian dishes, too, but 80% of the time, I get their pizza. Thu Jan 05 18:38:20 -0800 2006 648459 0 cheryl