Need help on final decision for birthday dinner in Chicago

[Mandy Lin]

My husband and I will be driving from Toronto to Minneapolis to visit family on labour day weekend which happens to coincide with my birthday, and will be stopping in Chicago for one night (Friday). We have dined on previous visits at some of your top establishments: Alinea, Avenues, and Topolobampo, and have also been to Avec. We are looking for something a little different this time - casual, small plates so we can sample various dishes, an interesting drink list (good microbrews or cocktails) and a fun lively atmosphere (but not too loud...and preferably not a communal table). My husband has done tons of research and we narrowed it down to:

The Gage
Province
Carnivale
Vermilion
Quartino

I am having difficulty selecting one from the above. I know they are all quite different in terms of ethnicity and style, but we enjoy them all. Which restaurant is known for the most consistent high quality food and service? What would be your pick?

Thanks!

[ms. chow]

My top 2 picks on your list would be Province and The Gage. Province has many different formats that would satisfy the small plate requirement. They have the most # of entrees with half portion sizes. Fun, lively, no communal table. If you get Jennifer as your server, she is an expert in coursing out your meal from what you've chosen.

The Gage, while not necessarily small plates, have enough size options to choose from.

Quartino would be a close 3rd following the previous 2.

[mountsac]

from your list - either province or carnivale. province is perfect for small plates - it's my top choice. carnivale has the most fun (yet not loud) atmosphere and has excellent cocktails and food, but it's not really a place for small plates.

i've never been to vermillion, so i can't speak to that. the gage has excellent food, and small plates dining is possible there, but it can get quite loud. quartino has pretty good cocktails and traditional italian pizza, but IMHO it's nothing to write home about, and i'm not a big fan of their pasta dishes.

[jbw]

I AM a big fan of Quartino's small plate pastas, but it is my go-to place in the area primarily because of its value (i.e., there are are better Italian choices but given the price/location/quality triumvirate, it's difficult to beat). Since it can get loud and crowded, I would probably remove it from consideration. Have you looked at Blackbird btw?

[Ben Reiner]

Mandy Lin's husband checking in.. Thanks everyone for the responses!

I'm sure Blackbird is great but since we've been to Avec, we're leaning towards trying a non Paul Kahan establishment to change things up. Avec was great though. We're also interested in somewhere where you can a try a bunch of different things rather than the standard main/app/desert.

[ms. chow]

Hello mr husband. Blackbird, Avec, and Publican are all very different restaurants. Altho, i still think with your list, Province is the best option for what you are looking for.

[vrollings]

Hi, Mandy. I know it's not on your list, but Mercat a la Planxa fits several of your criteria. On your list, I agree with Ms. Chow: Province or the Gage. Enjoy!

[Ben Reiner]

Menu for Mercat a la Planxa looks excellent and is the right feel for the occasion but my parents were there last year with a large-ish group and had a negative experience.

They pre-ordered the suckling pig. First, they were pre-charged for it - perhaps understandable but seemed a little cheap. Worse though, the quantity the restaurant recommended ended up being something like double what was needed. And on top of that there was an issue with the rate at which they were charged where prices had gone up after they initially arranged for it, and of course they were charged at the more expensive rate.