Log In / Sign Up
HOME > Chowhound > Chicago Area >
c
Champaign05 Nov 4, 2009 04:43 PM

Recommendations for birthday dinner restaurant in Chicago

I would like to host a dinner for 8-10 people at a really nice restaurant in Chicago in January to celebrate by husband's 50th birthday. My budget is roughly $100-$125 per person, including wine. My choice was Topolobampo, but I can't get a reservation. I thought 2.5 months in advance would be enough! So now I am not sure at all. Does anyone have a recommendation for other restaurants to consider? My other thoughts are:
- Cafe des Architectes
- Coco Pazzo
- Le Bouchon
- one sixty blue
But I have not eaten at any of these and I want to make sure that the meal will be a good one, that the restaurant will be pretty and comfortable, and that the service will be good. I'm hoping that you'll all have some suggestions for me to consider. Thank you!

-----
Le Bouchon
1958 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Topolobampo
445 N Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

Cafe des Architectes
20 East Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL 60611

Coco Pazzo
300 West Hubbard, Chicago, IL 60610
0
PRINT EMAIL LINK
›5 Replies . Latest Nov 5, 2009 by BRB
  1. c
     Champaign05 Nov 5, 2009 05:11 AM

    Thank you all so much for your ideas. I'm giving Piccolo Sogno and Naha some serious thought. Is the atmosphere in these two restaurants such that a party table of 8 would not be out of place, or are these places that I should consider a private room for?

    -----
    Piccolo Sogno
    464 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60622

    Naha
    500 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610
    ›1 Reply
    0
    LINK
    1. re: Champaign05
      b
       BRB Nov 5, 2009 05:54 AM

      Both can get a bit loud, but I still think they are conversation friendly. Of course, even at the quietest restaurant, a long table will make conversing with someone at the other end difficult. I'd call and see what they can do for you.
      0
      LINK
    2. chicgail Nov 5, 2009 02:08 AM

      Le Bouchon wouldn't be able to accommodate you due to their size, but their sister restaurant Le Sardine, just might.

      Other places to consider would be Naha, Sepia, Perennial, Sola or MK.

      -----
      Le Bouchon
      1958 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

      Naha
      500 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610
      0
      LINK
      1. b
         BRB Nov 4, 2009 07:36 PM

        If you like the food Coco Pazzo offers, I would suggest Piccolo Sogno instead.

        Le Bouchon is very nice - I just can't imagine fitting a large group in there.

        Have you considered Naha? Carnivale? Salpicon would be great if you want upscale and excellent Mexican.

        -----
        Le Bouchon
        1958 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

        Coco Pazzo Cafe
        636 N St Clair, Chicago, IL 60611

        Piccolo Sogno
        464 N Halsted, Chicago, IL 60622

        Naha
        500 North Clark St., Chicago, IL 60610

        Carnivale
        702 West Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60661
        0
        LINK
        1. m
           masha Nov 4, 2009 07:25 PM

          I had a very disappointing birthday dinner at Cafe des Architectes last month. Two reasons primarily -- very amateurish service & my steak was overcooked. On the latter, I'd ordered medium rare and it came out medium. At my husband's urging, I sent it back -- something I never do, but he was right because it was really not right. By the time my entree returned, my husband had finished his; they were only mildly apologetic about the problem. We'd really been looking forward to the dinner too.

          By contrast, we went to Perennial earlier in the year for my husband's birthday. Food was terrific. I'd recommend Perennial, not Cafe des A.

          -----
          Cafe des Architectes
          20 East Chestnut Street, Chicago, IL 60611
          0
          LINK
          To the Top BACK to Chicago Area
          Share with your friendsX