Need recs for a special place in the south burbs

[ddfry3]

I am hoping someone out there can help. Looking for a quiet, romantic place with a variety of food choices somewhere in the south-ish suburbs. I live in Champaign and am having a first date with someone from NW Indiana. We decided to meet somewhere neutral. Splitting the distance puts us in the Kankakee/Bradley area, which I know well enough to know I'd probably rather find something somewhere else. Maybe Lockport? New Lenox? Convenient interstate access would be nice too. This would be on a Saturday, too.

Thanks so much!

[MikeLM]

How about Bogart's in Tinley Park? They're a nice aged-beef steak house, and if you go, be sure to get the French Onion soup.

[tzurriz]

Oh no. The Bogarts in Tinley is not very good. I've never been impressed.

I'd suggest Burgundy Bistro on Vollmer in Olympia Fields. It's basically at the corner of Vollmer and Kedzie. Very good, and romantic. Another good option would be Fresh Starts in downtown Flossmoor.

[ddfry3]

Thanks all. Slight change. Decided on Orland Park instead, figured I could do some shopping too! Any recs other than PFChang's??

[markh]

Since so few nice places are open on Saturdays for lunch, you may be out of luck. You might want to call Cafe Elise in Munster, IN. It's less than a mile from the Calumet Ave exit of 80/94, and it's a shorter drive than Lockport. But I don't know if they serve lunch on Saturdays.

You might also want to do a search on restaurants in Flossmoor and Homewood. I remember reading about a couple nice places in those towns, and perhaps one of them is open for lunch on Saturday. Flossmoor is easily accessible from the Vollmer Road exit of I-57, Homewood from the Dixie Highway exit of I-294. Your friend should know how to get to either town from NW Indiana.

[gordeaux]

Tallgrass - yup.

Tinfish in Tinley Park?
http://www.tf-tinfish.com/test/wordpress/index.php

I've never been here, but I heard it getting some love. Isabella's in Tinley Park:
http://www.isabellacafe.com

Just some thoughts. I'm not very familiar with the area.

[ddfry3]

Actually have been to Tinfish, it was fine, but prefer something a little more intimate. Any other ideas out there?

[gordeaux]

"Splitting the distance puts us in the Kankakee/Bradley area, which I know well enough to know I'd probably rather find something somewhere else."

LOL!!!!!

[sloepoke]

What about Tallgrass in Lockport? It's a very fine little restaurant in the middle of a historic old canal town (it's right on the main drag so easy to find). I think it can be a bit expensive, but it's Will County's answer to haute cuisine, so definitely worth the drive from Champaign/Indiana.

[ddfry3]

I had thought of that too, but according to metromix they don't do lunch :(