Looking for West/Southwest Options

[redheadteacher]

I've been eating out with a group of friends for the past 14 years. In that time we have eaten at over 80 different restaurants and have managed to not go to any place more than once. While we have ventured downtown on occasion, we usually stick to the suburbs and, unfortunately, the night that works best for a group of working women is Monday which rules out a number of options. One of our group lives in Elmhurst and the rest of us live southwest - Palos Heights and Tinley Park - so we try to find places somewhere in between.

Over the years we have eaten at Bistro Banileau, Lalos, Cafe los Belles Artes, Bohemian Crystal, Emilio's, Grapevine, Osterio Romano, Tasso's, Ciao Tutti, Cafe 36, Messina's, Salbute, Cucina Sorella, Pappadeaux, Cucina Roma, Leona's, Hua Ting, Greco's, Buona Sera, Isabella's, P.F. Changs, Clara's, Zaza's, Thipi Thai, Braxton's, Hacienda, Reza's, Washington Street Grille, Ballydoyle, Gondola, Absolutely Delicious, Jockey, M-30 South, Wok 'n Fire, Vesuvio Cafe, Skapa's, and most of the Lettuce restaurants in Oakbrook.

I'm looking for new options. We've tried to keep the tab under $30 per person (we usually share one bottle of wine) although we are willing to splurge on occasion. We are pretty adventurous.....for just about anything but sushi.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[wineaux]

I'd highly recommend Joyful Cafe on Maple Avenue in Downers Grove. It's similar to Absolutely Delicious, only better!! Everything is made on-premise except for some of the bakery. If I remember correctly, the only day they are closed is Sunday, but you may want to confirm.

[MikeLM]

Bogart's steakhouse in old downtown Tinley Park is very nice - get the French Onion soup.
Also Gatto's, a nice, very reasonable Italian bistro style place on 80th Avenue just north of I-80 - get the Garbage Salad.
Also Uncle Bub's full-service BBQ joint in Westmont- Cass Ave. a block south of the Burlington tracks. Get most anything.

[nsxtasy]

There are lots of places in the western burbs listed in this topic, and you haven't been to just about any of them:
www.chowhound.com/topics/365132
Some are a bit further west to make them convenient, but others might be just right. In particular, Vie and Courtright's would be great for that occasional splurge.

What about all the restaurants in LaGrange's central business district along LaGrange Road, which has a bunch of restaurants and nightlife? Bella Bacino has great food including the best calamari I've ever eaten. Emilio Gervilla's group of restaurants includes Sunflower Bistro in this area, and there are a bunch more nice places.

Bella Bacino of LaGrange
36 S. La Grange Rd.
La Grange
708-352-8882
www.bacinos.com/location.php

Emilio's Sunflower Bistro
30 S. La Grange Rd.
La Grange
708-588-9890
www.sunflowerbistro.com

Incidentally, Tin Fish, whose location in Oakbrook Terrace is mentioned in the topic about the western suburbs, also has a location in Tinley Park.

[redheadteacher]

Thanks, I've checked out your list before. In an effort to limit the travel time for our "southerners", I'm hoping not to head further west than Oakbrook even though I know that the Naperville/Wheaton area would add many options.

I've eaten at Tin Fish in Tinley and while the food was good, the noise level was too high for conversation. Are the acoustics in the Oakbrook location better?

[nsxtasy]

I don't know; I've only been in the Tinley Park one. Hopefully someone else can answer.

I edited my post above to add some options in LaGrange.

[redheadteacher]

Sunflower Bistro looks great; alas like so many other places it isn't open on Mondays. I will add Bacino's to our list and keep Sunflower in mind if we can arrange a non-Monday dinner.

[Mugs]

Greek Islands in Lombard: barely west of Oakbrook and better than the Greektown original.

Truth, SW corner of Raynor and Jefferson in Joliet: reliable Midwestern food; an engaging owner, Kate Mohundro; and a room in which you can spend hours talking.

Public Landing, Lockport: OK food; lingering at a north-wall window table in this historic canal building is what keeps me coming back.

La Notte #1, east side of Cass Ave. just north of I-55: good for strip-mall Italian. I like the grilled calamari appetizer and that the kitchen will make whatever you want.

Addresses follow. I don't know who's open on Mondays. Have fun.

Greek Islands
300 E. 22nd St.
Lombard
[phone]

Truth
808 W. Jefferson St.
Joliet
[phone]
www.truthrestaurant.com

Public Landing
200 W. 8th
Lockport
[phone]

La Notte #1
8123 S. Cass Ave.
Darien
[phone]